The NEXT 10 Budget Challenge was a perfect fit for our YMCA program with high school students. Our "delegates" learned way more in this interactive program than they could have discovered in traditional research or interviews. We also appreciated the flexible way that NEXT 10 fit into our already existing program schedule and location. YMCA Youth & Government's Department of Finance was greatly enhanced by this experience.
Sarah was amazing, she came out and not only did we get to share our program with her, she had an amazing impact on the youth that she spoke with. We look forward to continuing our relationship with Next 10.
I absolutely love Next 10! It lets anyone be a state legislator and balance the budget all by him or herself -- either alone, or in a group. Along the way, it teaches all of us about the reality of the state budget is -- where the money comes from, how much is involved, where it goes, and all of the trade-offs that have to be made. I refer people to Next 10 on a regular basis when they have questions about the California state budget: it's a great tool for everyone.
I use the Budge Challenge created by Next 10 for teaching my students about budget realities in California. I have used it for more than 5 years and given hundreds of college students hands on experience with crafting a state budget. This is an excellent tool for educating and engaging even the least interested citizen in the impact of budget choices on their every day lives. Two thumbs up!
September 11, 2012
Ms. Sarah Henry
Program Director
Next 10
300 Brannan Street, Suite 402
San Francisco, California 94107
Dear Ms. Henry:
Thank you very much for taking the time to share your expertise with the Panetta Institute’s 2012 congressional internship class. The Panetta interns have the reputation for being among the best-prepared interns on Capitol Hill. The reason for this has to do with speakers like you, whose presentations are brilliant, with up-to-date information, presented in a lively format and manner. I want to extend my deepest appreciation to you for taking the time to share your insights and knowledge.
Again, thank you for providing the information and encouragement these students need to be successful and dedicated to lives of public service.
Sincerely,
Sylvia M. Panetta
Director
SMP:rk/p
Sarah Henry presented at our Leadership Council lunch. By definition, we have the top leaders in the county at our meetings, and they have had many, many presentations. This was one of the very best, because its interactive nature and immediate feedback on the consequences of the choices we made were extremely illuminating. Each member of the group got a clearer picture of the ramifications of our choices, and had a better understanding of the difficulty legislators face when developing a budget. I recommend this presentation for all civic-minded groups. It's the best!
Sarah Henry came to our League of Women Voters Eden Area to do the CA Budget Challenge presentation for our group. Although Leaguers pride themselves on being well versed on issues such as the budget--Sarah's presentation was an eye opener. We learned a lot of up-to-date information on the budget as she explained each of the choices we had to select from in taking the challenge. The presentation was educational, informative and interesting because of Sarah's professionalism and the fact that the challenge is interactive. We picked up two new members of the League as a result of the program and got lots of positive feedback from attendees.
I have used the Next Ten budget challenge for several years in my American Government classes at De Anza College. We've also had them come present in the classroom twice now. It's a fabulous tool to make a complex set of issues understandable to average Californians. It also forces everyone to make real choices that balance values, desires, and real political choices. No more complaining that we want government service without then figuring out that one way or another, we need to figure out how to pay for it.
our students received a first rate introduction to the california budget. the effort to educate the voter/student provided a critical lesson in how our tax dollars are allocated and what the future holds for the state. moreover, the effort to engage and include the audience in the budget is essential to the well being of our communities. the participants received the best budget experience and without a partisan spin.
I teach California Contemporary Issues to junior and seniors. The Budget Challenge was a perfect culminating activity. It made the see the relevance to the units we had covered as well as make them make judgements on where monies should be spent. We had quite a bit of differences in opinions which sparked debate and made students realize that even within their peer group they were not on the same page. In the future, I would like to expand this activity from a 75 min activity to a two hoursso that we can get into even deeper debates on these important issues. I feel so fortunate that this organization is out there providing this valuable service.
"Next 10" presented at San Diego State University their budget simulation for more than 100 attendees. The attendees included students and community members. In their feedback on their experience attending and participating in this event, respondents highlighted how the presentation was an eye opener for them to understanding California's budgetary process. I want to thank "Next 10" for the wonderful job they did during their visit to SDSU.
Tis is the second year I have had the Next 10 speaker address my senior economics classes. She does a great job of sharing important information as well as involving the students in her presentation. It's a great learning experience and I can't recommend the program enough.
This is an outstanding introduction to the California Budget and the hard decisions we must make. It is interactive and engaging. Students vote on the programs and tax policies and are encouraged to voice their opinions to spur debate. I keep bringing Next 10 back to my classroom because I am impressed with the presenter. She efficiently provides students with an overview of the issues and works well with students to invite participation.
Next 10 is a professional organization that understands how to convey fairly complicated issues about the State Budget crisis to High School students. Their facilitators are clearly talented. They understand the economic principals that they are conveying to the kids, are on top of the state budget situation, and are able to connect with high schoolers. They presented in my class at Gunn High School last year, and through their interactive "clicker - power point" presentation, they were able to engage my students in a presentation that some still talk about. Next 10 is truly an invaluable resource that should be taken advantage of by any High School Economics teacher. Roni Habib Henry M. Gunn High School
Next 10 has been an invaluable resource for providing a hands-on, real world view of what California faces – within a state budget, as a green economy and throughout its infrastructure. Next 10 removes any tint of rose-colored glasses and gets down to business by educating Californians and providing them with the knowledge of how they can play a role in California's future, and be a part of the solution.
Next 10 is one of the most innovative yet practical non-profits in the nation. From the start this organization has had a simple mission -- to provide the general public and students high quality, unbiased information and analysis on complex public policy issues. They have developed great, easy to use tools for making seemingly complex issues confronting Califonria more understandable.
The folks at Next 10 are committed to improving California's future. They've picked a few core topics (the state budget, infrastructure and the green economy) as their focus. The have a mix of very practical, hands on tools -- e.g., an online game to see if you can balance the state budget, interactive quizzes and user-friendly handouts in five languages -- and more conceptual work aimed at contributing to state policy. Next 10's chosen role is to take the long view and use a wide-range of respected advisors from different backgrounds to complement "policy as usual."