Vanguard

VANGUARDIANS

The price of freedom is eternal vigilance Thomas Jefferson

1VANGUARDIANS From The Glendale News Press 12-29-2003 the beginning of Accountability in Glendale. Claiming that the city needs better oversight to monitor its finances and actions, [Barry Allen] is calling on city residents to form a watchdog group to look into everything, I think an outside, independent agency that isn't funded by the city; that's funded by a grass-roots initiative, is what we really need.

2VANGUARDIANS The 4 Stages First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you,then you win

Mahatma Gandhi3VANGUARDIANS Our vision is to live in a Community where all people, regardless of geography, background or economic status, can enjoy accountability, integrity, effectiveness and responsiveness from our elected officials and each of the agencys departments.

4VANGUARDIANSWatching out for our community

Giving money and power to government is like giving whiskey and car keys to teenage boys P.J.ORourke5VANGUARDIANSPurpose: To Inform, Educate, & Motivate people for their Non-Violent Involvement, Engagement & Advocacy in local government.

VANGUARDIANSWhy Vanguardians is needed Once in office elected officials tend to forget that it is the voters who elected themElected officials need to be reminded that we are informed votersPublic Officials need to know they are accountable to the public

7This is why Vanguardians is needed: Special interest groups such as city employee unions paid for the election but the voters elected the CouncilVanguardians monitors their votes, watches who is appointed to Boards and Commissions and reports to the publicVANGUARDIANSAre you treated like this? An opinion should be the result of thought not a substitute for it. Frazz

8kept in the dark like a mushroom

VANGUARDIANSOur mission is to:

#1 Provide, without bias, thetimely dissemination of information and knowledge of government activities to the community and elected officials

9The mission is multi faceted lets take each facet one at a timeComplaints of little or no community outreach are heard. Even though English is the official language there are many households where English is a second language.

Vanguardians weekly news goes to about 5000 readers.

Vanguardians presents issues and suggests the reader investigate them.

VANGUARDIANSOur mission is to:

#2 Build, train and empower a knowledgeable, aware and involved community-wide group to monitor the integrity, performance and responsiveness of elected officials and each of the agency's departments

10VANGUARDIANSOur mission is to:

#3 Encourage, by example, a community free to exchange facts and opinions on public issues by facilitating open debate and discussion on the issues

113rd facet - Vanguardians has planned a number of discussions, trainings and debates. And Town Hall MeetingsA training on open government. A debate on the issues of campaign reform. Our first candidates forum in 2/07 was quite successfulVANGUARDIANSOur mission is to:

#4 Demand accountability, effectiveness and responsiveness from our government without which there is a system out of control and ripe for corruption

12VANGUARDIANSOur mission is to:

#5 Make government acutely aware there is a community watching, monitoring and measuring their activities

13VANGUARDIANS It is our duty to watch over the actions and activities of government and to insist that, in words as well as in deeds, the interests of our constituency are served.

Honorable Diane E. Watson Member of Congress

14We must not shirk our duty

VANGUARDIANS The strength of the Constitution lies entirely in the determination of each citizen to defend it. Only if every single citizen feels duty bound to do his share in this defense are the constitutional rights secure. Albert Einstein

15VANGUARDIANS Government is a trust, and the officers of the government are trustees; and both the trust and the trustees are created for the benefit of the people. - Henry Clay

16VANGUARDIANS Which is worse?

Failing to Vote orFailing to be an Informed Voter

Why do reason, logic and truth seem to play a diminished role in the way America now makes important decisions?Al Gore

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VANGUARDIANS Being an informed voter means understanding all the issues and each candidates vision and interests

VANGUARDIANS Issues:

Fiscal AccountabilityEnforcing Existing Laws Reducing Fear of GovernmentCampaign Finance ReformRepresenting the public fairlyOpen & Transparent GovernmentTransportation & HousingADA Compliance

19 VANGUARDIANS Integrity starts with the individual

20 Unfortunately many people are fearful of speaking out. V offers the Kings Umbrella of protection. Protection based on the numbers, support for your passion

VANGUARDIANS Benefits

Your Advocate for AccountabilityKeeping you in the loop Dissemination of Critical IssuesKnowing where and how your money is being spent Enjoying a prospering community & leaving it that way for your children and grandchildren

21 VANGUARDIANS We are not just a pocket that the government thinks they can keep going deeper into. We dont complain when water and electric rates go up, or when the telephone, cable and cell phone bill show new taxes and fees. We just shut up and pay. We dont get new services and the old ones deteriorate..

VANGUARDIANS The budget is supposed to reflect the vision of the council. But the budget is prepared by Management. We need to look at the expenditures as to what is being funded and who is receiving the funds.VANGUARDIANS You can participate Host ProgramsPublicityBe an AdvocateFund Raise

24There are many ways Share your passionVANGUARDIANS Hosts debates, discussions and trainings, forums on candidates and issues Disseminates information via Email, Website and StreamingEngages Government and Community leaders and groupsPromotes Community Outreach

25 Fulfilling the mission. VANGUARDIANS Dont let this be you.

Get your facts first and then you can distort them as much as you please. Mark Twain

26 You can hide your head but the problems are still thereVANGUARDIANS The Beacon for Accountability

Lobbyists: If you cant eat their meals, drink their liquor, sleep with their women and then vote against them, you have no business being a politician. Jesse Unruh27VANGUARDIANS

28 Help us follow the $$ VANGUARDIANS

No job is so simple that it cant be done wrong29VANGUARDIANS Vanguardians Community TeamPOB 11202Glendale, CA 91226818 243 1502info@vanguardians.orgwww.vanguardians.orgIRC 501(c)(3)

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