Florida's Collins Center for Public Policy Selects Neighborhood America to Take the State's Toughest Issues to the People

Naples, FL (PRWEB) October 8, 2008 -- The Collins Center for Public Policy (http://www.collinscenter.org/), known throughout the State of Florida as the independent, nonpartisan 'think tank' behind developing solutions to some of the State's toughest problems, is taking those challenges to the people. As Florida residents join the rest of the nation in their anticipation around the '08 elections, the Collins Center is making certain that voters go to the polls educated on the impact their vote will make on the future of Florida.

At the polling booth, amendments can seem insignificant compared to casting a ballot for our next Commander-in-Chief. Consequently, policies that may significantly impact the social and economic lives of every citizen in the State of Florida (http://www.myflorida.com) are oftentimes overlooked. While a mark on a ballot may seem trivial in the privacy of a voting booth, the amendments can have substantial ramifications on our pocketbooks.

The Collins Center has launched FLamendments.org (http://www.flamendments.org) to make it easy for constituents to quickly learn about the amendments online - and how they will impact the future of Florida. Florida residents will find the unbiased, nonpartisan knowledge they need to not only understand the implications behind the six amendments on the ballot, but also to share their comments and opinions about each one. Additionally, site visitors have the opportunity to learn from one another through moderated online discussions, which serve to foster learning through shared insights, while keeping the conversations relevant and focused on the issues.

"We created FLamendments.org for the sole purpose of better educating the public in an unbiased and objective way," said Jon DeVries of the Collins Center. "With the help of Neighborhood America (http://www.neighborhoodamerica.com), the site will truly help people navigate the maze of information, get educated on the issues through all forms of multimedia content including video, and hone their points of view via the forums and surveys. This unique combination will be a model for future citizen engagement around complex public policy topics."

"FLamendments.org is a showcase for how the public sector can facilitate interaction with today's constituents," said Dan Bevarly, Senior Director of Business Development at Neighborhood America. "While our ELAvate (http://www.neighborhoodamerica.com/elavate) solution enables the ability to capture public comment and manage online collaboration among work teams and stakeholders, we uniquely offer our customers the ability to enrich their interaction through more engaging Web 2.0 solutions. Our experience and success in the public sector provides our customers with the confidence needed to enhance citizen participation without sacrificing their need for structure, security and a sound infrastructure."

To learn more about the amendments that will be included on the November ballot, visit http://www.flamendments.org. Additional features including video presentations, photo galleries and Spanish-language translations will be unveiled soon to help voters make informed decisions.

About Neighborhood America

Neighborhood America's ELAvate solution was named the software industry's 'best social networking solution' for enterprises, honored with the 2008 Codie Award (http://www.siia.net/codies/2009/pastwinners.asp). ELAvate enables companies to build online and mobile communities to engage consumers, facilitate ongoing dialogue around their brand, and gain continued business intelligence. Governments, media companies and big brands alike rely on Neighborhood America for its award-winning technology and commitment to guide them through the entire community-building process - from strategy, through implementation, to ultimate success. Learn how your company can gain a competitive advantage by visiting: www.neighborhoodamerica.com.

About the Collins Center for Public Policy

Former Florida Governor LeRoy Collins' legacy of uncompromising integrity in government and business continues at the Collins Center for Public Policy. Established in 1988 by distinguished Floridians who envisioned the need for an independent entity to find impartial solutions to controversial problems, the Collins Center exceeds the bounds of a traditional think tank--seeking opportunity and taking action on projects that impact the citizens of Florida and the nation. Learn more about the Collins Center at: http://www.collinscenter.org.

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