Just as many public schools are on the brink of closing, Renee Collymore, who runs the Parliament Democratic Club in Brooklyn, is fast at work beginning reform within the public school system.
Collymore, who stands at 5’3” is the latest political fire-cracker in the City of New York. She launched her political club on Oct. 25, 2009, although she has been a political operative for many years. No newcomer to the game, Collymore is entrenched in Brooklyn and comes from a solid family of business owners.
Proud of her Bajan and Native American heritage, this new power broker expresses concern with the general constituency that she feels easily give up their democratic power, which eventually effects how children view democracy. Politics, mixed with social programs is the key to an accomplished club.
“It’s never too late” said Collymore, who speaks of her self-created civics pilot program for six, seven and eight graders. Her civics course, which is called, The Fundamentals of Citizenship, has already been implemented into a few schools across the city. Collymore, herself, a product of the public school system, passionately believe that if civic classes are returned to our schools, children will have an early start to careers in government and community leadership.
“As my course is taught once a month, children will learn what their responsibilities and duties are as citizens. We will also teach the importance of volunteerism, charitable giving, serving as a juror, community organizing, becoming community leaders and understanding public policy” said Collymore. She also stated that her course will culminate with a field trip to Albany to lobby legislators concerning ways the children feel would create a better school environment.
As Ms. Collymore continued, she spoke deeply of shaping young minds to become “capable and responsible community power brokers, who are independent thinkers and who are not seduced by corruption.”
Certainly, planting seeds of this nature in the minds of children at such a tender age is the beginning of a good plan and the call for young democracy will be a powerful strategy for Ms. Collymore’s school agenda.
“If you have poor preparation at an early age, you will have bad politicians and weak public servants. In fact, I would like to see my course become permanent in our schools so that the progressive agenda in this country is not threatened,” said Renee Collymore.
The Parliament Democratic Club has an exotic membership of successful media executives, lawyers, webmasters, activists, clergy, political strategist and community residents.
