Joe Dorman, OICA CEO

Multitasking! Editing two grants for the Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy with one hand and donating platelets with the other. Please consider donating blood if you are able and/or supporting our efforts to help children. I know many of my friend cannot give, so please do what you can to help in your own way.

I just made my donation to OETA and ask for you to also do what you can. With federal cuts, it is important to keep their programming solid, especially with their youth-centered shows! Call the number shown or go to their website - oeta.tv/donate
What is your favorite show? Mine is (obviously) Oklahoma News Report!

Let's talk about some of the bills going through this session!

In this week's column, Joe Dorman, OICA CEO, examines a number of OICA priority bills currently working their way through the . Read the column at https://www.oica.org/oica-continues

Friends,
Leadership Oklahoma was truly one of the most important and life-changing experiences for me for my professional life and to learn more about Oklahoma. I strongly encourage you to consider applying if you
Friends,
Leadership Oklahoma is a tremendous program for building your own leadership skills, along with increasing your network statewide for your business or personal reasons. I strongly encourage you to check this out and apply!
want to invest in yourself to build a stronger network, a greater appreciation for our home state, and make hone your skills to be a leader for Oklahoma.

There’s a little less than one month left to apply for Leadership Oklahoma Class 39! ⏳

Each year, 52 leaders from across our state are selected to take part in a transformative, issues-focused program designed to deepen understanding, broaden perspectives, and build lifelong connections. From business and education to nonprofit, government, and beyond — our network reaches into every corner of Oklahoma.

If you’re ready to:
✨ Grow as a leader
✨ Engage in meaningful dialogue about our state’s biggest challenges
✨ Build relationships with leaders across industries
✨ Be part of a powerful statewide network

Now is the time.

Don’t miss your chance to be part of something truly unique. Applications for Class 39 close April 1, 2026.

Application here: https://app.smarterselect.com/programs/107890-Leadership-Oklahoma

We are getting close to filling up spots for both sponsorships and cookers for the 2026 OICA Child Advocacy Day & Chili Cook-off! Please go to https://www.oica.org/2026-chili-cookoff to register. Tomorrow morning is the last chance to sign up and have your name or logo appear on the event t-shirt!

It's & . OK's population is very diverse: 64.1% white, 13.5% Hispanic, 6.1% Black, 7.1% as Native American, 2.6% as Asian, and 9.4% as two or more races. Today's child advocate is Dennis Byford. Our partner is peppersranch.com.

In a powerful column, Joe Dorman, OICA CEO, notes the passing of the Reverend Jesse Jackson Sr., honors his legacy, and relates his opportunities to meet and interact with the civil rights icon. Read it at https://www.oica.org/notable-death

The Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy Day at the Oklahoma State Capitol is on March 10 and we are holding a chili cook-off there!
Cannot make it? You can still sponsor and support our effort to see better laws for the youth of our state! Get your name or company logo on the shirt (and you will also receive one of the shirts as a sponsor)!

How about this? Say you could have your name, or your corporate name, attached to a high-profile event in Oklahoma's State Capitol...pretty cool, right? Well, you can! Sponsor OICA's 2026 Child Advocacy Day and Chili Cook-Off set for March 10. To learn more go to https://www.oica.org/2026-chili-cookoff or contact Brenna Leeds at [email protected] for more info!

It's & . In OK, 20.4% of children aged 10-17 are considered obese, ranking 42nd out of 50 states & DC. Today's child advocate is Bob Burke. Our partner is Oklahoma CareerTech.

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Have you signed up to cook at the 2026 OICA Child Advocacy Day and Chili Cook-off with your organization? We are looking for child-serving programs to be a part of the networking fun on March 10 at the Oklahoma State Capitol. Cook a pot of chili, bring materials promoting the work that you do for youth, and use this time to visit with lawmakers and colleagues from other programs!

With school starting back up, if you know of any 5th grade classrooms that might want to participate in Oklahoma's Kid Governor program, please have the teacher reach out to Licia at [email protected]

Oklahoma's Kid Governor® An award-winning civic education program led by the Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy and created by The Connecticut Democracy Center.