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Council Agenda Item 9 d
MEETING DATE: April 2, 2009
AGENDA ITEM: Yellow Ribbon Communities
SUBMITTED BY: Administration
BOARD/COMMISSION/COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION:
PREVIOUS COUNCIL ACTION: The Council was introduced to this program at the last
Intergovernmental Meeting.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION: Included in the packet is the information presented by the City of
Bartell who is spear heading the project. We will type the resolution in the City format and have it
delivered
BUDGET/FISCAL IMPACT: None
ATTACHMENTS: Information
REQUESTED COUNCIL ACTION: Decide on whether or not to participate in the program
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125 Pine Cone Road North P.O. Box 140 •Sartell, MN 56377-0140
Phone (320) 253-2171 Fax (320) 253- ~ ~w~~teilmn.com
March 6, 2009
Dear Fellow Mayor:
The Warrior to Citizen initiative of central Minnesota provided those gathered at the last
area cities meeting in Waite Park on January 27th background and information on their
desire to have the cities of central Minnesota become "Yellow Ribbon Communities."
You will recall that their message was well received that evening by those in attendance.
Attached you will find language that will placed in proclamation form and a separate
pledge that lists the activities that participating cities should strive to meet to achieve
"Yellow Ribbon Community" status. As a part of this regional effort, the Warrior to
Citizen Committee is asking for your city's pledge and support.
If your community is interested in becoming a "Yellow Ribbon Community" of central
Minnesota, the Warrior to Citizen Committee asks that your council provide approval of
the pledge and proclamation no later than Apri130, 2009. Should you wish to have a
presentation to your council on the initiative, the Warrior to Citizen Committee would be
happy to send members to visit with your council. Presentations can be arranged by
contacting Betty Schnettler of the United Way of Central Minnesota at 229-3507. Once
your council takes action on the pledge of support and proclamation, please forward a
signed copy to:
Betty Schnettler
cfo United Way of Central Minnesota
2700 First Street North, Suite 300
St. Cloud, MN 56303
Once the list of participating cities is known, mayors and council member will be invited
to be participants in a special mayoral proclamation signing ceremony. The tentative date
for the proclamation signing is being planned for Saturday, May 16, which is also Armed
Services Day. I ask that you "hold" this date in your calendar, as more information and
details will follow regarding the specifics of the signing ceremony.
Thank you for your consideration of our nation's service members, veterans and their
families.
Sincerely,
Tim O'Driscoll, Mayor
City of Sartell
"A Century of Progress, Welcoming a Century of Promise""
Putting the Pledge into Action
This pledge is not meant to be a financial burden or commitment for the
allocation of funds; instead it contains items, some of which your city may already
be doing, to help meet the goals of the central Minnesota Warrior to Citizen
initiative. Our hope is that this partnership will raise awareness of the sacrifices
made by Central Minnesota veterans and their families in the service of our
country.
Honoring the Spirit of Freedom
• Say the Pledge of Allegiance at city related meetings. - We understand
that many cities in our area are currently doing this.
Fly the American flag on national holidays and other special days
and encourage community members to do the same. -Again, we
understand that many cities in our area are already doing this as well.
However, increasing the awareness of such days in your community could
be done by working with Veterans groups, by including these dates in city
newsletters, on web sites, on community message boards, etc.
• Attend Memorial and Veterans Day events in your community or
region. - As elected officials send representatives from your council to
attend such events and promote these events in your community.
Promotion could be done in a similar fashion as outlined above in the "Fly
the American flag..." section.
Increasing community awareness and understanding
• Inform community members about the Warrior to Citizen initiative
and how they can become involved. -Through the efforts listed in this
initiative and seizing opportunities available in each community the level
awareness will increase.
• Engage two representatives from participating area cities to
collaborate with the Warrior to Citizen planning team. - In an effort to
engage the various sectors of the community, the Warrior to Citizen
Committee is asking the leadership of such sectors to provide
representatives to be a part of our committee. We are asking for two
elected officials from our local cities to serve on the Warrior to Citizen
Committee. Bartell Mayor Tim O'DriscoH is a member of the Warrior to
Citizen Committee; therefore one additional elected official is being sought
at this time.
• Secure presentation time with community groups and organizations
to inform on the Warrior to Citizen initiative -Working with local
schools, faith-based organization and community education programs and
others to promote the increased awareness of veteran related needs.
• Making opportunities available for city employees and community
members to participate in educational opportunities planned in the
Central Minnesota region that relate to the challenges facing
veterans and their families - As some of the local cities have employees
who are members of the National Guard and have been or subject to
military deployment, increase the awareness in employee work groups of
the challenges facing veterans and their families associated with
deployment and reintegration upon returning to the workplace.
Considering development of an employer award and/or joining
together for an area-wide award for employers who provide
outstanding levels of support to veterans and their families.- Develop
a recognition program within your city to call out the efforts of people or
businesses in your community that provide exceptional support of
veterans and their families. The city of St. Cloud has already begun such
a program.
Working with the Warrior to Citizen planning team to provide
government access cable television time for educational
programming on the effort. - To the extent that your city has cable
television resources available, provide airtime for veteran information
programs. Many may be in the form of messages others and may also
include broadcasting pre-recorded programming.
Assisting our Service Members and their Families
• Host links to key federal, state and local military and veterans'
resources on the city website. -The Warrior to Citizen Committee will
provide each city with web site links and information on veteran and fami{y
resources. We would ask that they be posted on your city's web site, if
your city has one.
As employers, considererservice personnel and veterans'skills and
experience when making hiring decisions, and encouraging other
employers to do the same. -Past and present service members
possess skills that they have gained as a part of their military training that
transfer well to the private sector. Therefore, when possible, increase the
awareness of the availability of these skill sets in your community in both
public and private arenas.
• As employers, abiding by laws that protect service members' and
veterans' employment following activation. - Be respectful of the laws
and encourage others to do the same, as relates to veterans rights to
prepare for deployment and upon their return and reintegration back to
civilian life.
As employers, working with the family members of deployed and
returning service members to accommodate their persona! and
family situations, where possible. -Reintegration to civilian life
presents veterans and their families with unique challenges. Therefore,
providing reasonable accommodation for reintegration may be needed.
Whereas: Our great nation was founded on three simple and yet profound principles of
life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness and
Whereas: As Americans we hold and cherish these values for our citizens and for all
around the world who share and value freedom and
Whereas: These guiding principles are challenged from time to time by those who wish
to oppress the rights of individuals and
Whereas: Since the time of the American Revolutionary War, the men and women of the
United States Armed Services have spent time away from family, friends, their
professions, communities and their own pursuit of life liberty and happiness in order to
ensure these principles for others at home and abroad and
Whereas: We recognize that the families of deployed service men and women also make
sacrifices for our nation and
Whereas: Through the tireless commitment and service of the United States Armed
Services, these principles still prevail and
Whereas: We recognize, honor and support the needs of the members of the United
States Armed Services throughout their service to our country, upon their return home, as
they once again enjoy the principles of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. and
Whereas: Families of service members make special sacrifices, which are not often seen
by others and as a result may need additional community support. and
Whereas: We the undersigned mayors on behalf of our cities support, recognize and
honor the service of the members of the United States Armed Services and their families
and we encourage others to do likewise and
Whereas: This community support will include support for deployed services members
and their families until those who serve the cause of freedom have returned home to
embark once again on their own pursuit of life, liberty and happiness.
Therefore be it resolved that the elected officials of the cities listed below encourage our
cities, their residents, their business communities, non profit organizations, faith-based
community and educational providers to embrace the Warrior to Citizen initiative in
central Minnesota as we endeavor to become a Yellow Ribbon Community in Minnesota
as recognized by the governor of the state of Minnesota, the honorable Tim Pawlenty.
Central Minnesota: Working Together to Become a
Yellow Ribbon Community
The city of pledges to support the Warrior to Citizen initiative, which
is focused on the service members, veterans and their families of Central
Minnesota. We pledge the following:
Honoring the Spirit of Freedom
• Say the Pledge of Allegiance at city related meetings.
• Fly the American flag on national holidays and other special days and
encourage community members to do the same.
• Attend Memorial and Veterans Day events in your community or region.
Increasing Community Awareness, Understanding and Action
• Inform community members about the Warrior to C'stizen initiative and how
they can become involved.
• Engage two representatives from participating area cities to collaborate with
the Warrior to Citizen Central Minnesota planning team.
• Secure presentation time with community groups and organizations to inform
on the Warrior to Citizen initiative.
• Making opportunities available for city employees and community members to
participate in educational opportunities planned in the Central Minnesota
region that relate to the challenges facing veterans and their families.
• Considering development of an employer award and/or joining together for an
area-wide award for employers who provide outstanding levels of support to
veterans and their families
• Working with the Warrior to Citizen planning team to provide government
access cable television time for educational programming on the effort.
Assisting our Service Members and their Families
• Host links to key federal, state and local military and veterans' resources on
the city website.
• As employers, considerer service personnel and veterans' skills and
experience when making hiring decisions, and encouraging other employers
to do the same.
• As employers, abiding by laws that protect service members' and veterans'
employment following activation.
• As employers, working with the family members of deployed and returning
service members to accommodate their personal and family situations, where
possible.
Signature:
Mayor
Attest:
Date:
Resolution 2009-007
Resolution Supporting Central MN: Working Together to Become a
Yellow Ribbon Community
The City of St. Joseph pledges to support the Warrior to Citizen Initiative, which is focused on the service
members, veterans and their families of Central Minnesota. We pledge the following:
Honoring the Sprint of Freedom
• Say the Pledge of Allegiance at City related meetings
• Fly the American Flagon national holidays and other special days and encourage community
members to do the same.
• Attend Memorial and Veteran's Day events in your community or region.
Increasing Community Awareness, Understanding and Action
• Inform community members about the Warrior to Citizen Initiative and how they can become
involved.
• Engage two representatives from participating area cities to collaborate with the Warrior to
Citizen Central Minnesota Planning Team.
• Secure presentation time with community groups and organizations to inform on the Warrior to
Citizen Initiative.
• Making opportunities available for City employees and community members to participate in
educational opportunities planned in the Central Minnesota region that relate to the challenges
facing veterans and their families.
• Considering development of an employer award and/or joining together for an area-wide award
for employers who provide outstanding levels of support to veterans and their families.
• Working with the Warrior to Citizen planning team to provide government access cable
television time for educational programming on the effort.
Assessing our Service Members and their Families
• Host links to key federal, state and local military and veteran's resources on the City website.
• As employers, consider service personnel and veteran's skills and experience when making
hiring decisions, and encouraging other employers to do the same.
• As employers, abide by laws that protect service members' and veterans' employment following
activation.
• As employers ,working with the family members of deployed and returning service members to
accommodate their personal and family situations, where possible.
Adopted this day of .2009.
Mayor, AI Rassier
ATTEST
Judy Weyrens, Administrator