SDC seeks candidates to run for Board of Commissioner position, fight poverty | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Social Development Commission
April 8, 2019
It is one of the most effective ways to fight poverty in Milwaukee County.
The Social Development Commission is seeking candidates to fill six district seats on the SDC Board of Commissioners.
“People living in poverty know exactly what they need to improve their condition,” says SDC’s CEO George Hinton. “That’s why it’s critical people in poverty are represented at the highest levels of this organization. Their voices need to be heard. We need people in the community to tell us the solutions, not the other way around.”
Elected Commissioners influence policies and programs that impact Milwaukee County residents living in poverty. Elected Commissioners serve on behalf of low-income residents living in Milwaukee County. Community members interested in fulfilling SDC’ s mission to empower Milwaukee County residents with resources to move beyond poverty must complete an application for candidacy.
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The application and nomination packet can be picked up from the Social Development Commission located at 1730 West North Avenue in Milwaukee. Candidate packets may be picked up Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Interested candidates must provide photo identification and proof of address.
To qualify as a candidate, an individual is required to be 18 years of age or older and have maintained residency in the district they wish to represent for at least ten days prior to the election. Candidates must get at least 50 signatures from residents within their district. False signatures will be discounted. Collection of additional signatures is encouraged.
For more than 50 years, the Social Development Commission (SDC) has served as a community action agency in Milwaukee County. SDC serves as a planner, coordinator, and provider of human service programs for low-income individuals and families residing in Milwaukee County. The agency is an intergovernmental commission and is governed by a board of 18 citizens from Milwaukee County, each holds the title of “Commissioner.”
For more information on SDC’s programs and services, visit cr-sdc.org.
ELECTION FACTS AT-A-GLANCE
To run for a seat on the Board of Commissioners to represent the low-income community, candidate must be:
Employees of the Social Development Commission, its delegate agencies, and elected officials are not eligible.
Role of Commissioner: Elected Commissioners are expected to represent their constituents by attending monthly board meetings and committee meetings they are assigned to.
To Become a Candidate: To have a candidate’s name appear on the ballot, candidates are required to collect at least 50 signatures from residents in their district. Candidates are urged to collect at least 50 additional signatures in case of discounted names. Nomination forms used to collect signatures can be picked up at SDC located 1730 W North Avenue between 8 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Important Dates:
Monday April 15, 2019
Nomination packets and signatures due by 5 p.m.
Signatures are to be collected and returned to SDC’s Executive Department.
Tuesday May 7, 2019
Election Day
Voting will take place from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
There will be one voting site for each of the six districts. Polling site locations TBA.