Winning isn't everything. True leadership is responsible governing. Illinois' Cook County Commissioner Dan Patlak, last week's Leadership Institute graduate of the week, leads his 19 staff to work as “taypayer advocates” for the 1.7 million people he represents. The Cook County Board of Review is a quasi-judicial board that helps respond to “taxpayer's grievances with their property tax assessment,” Brendan Seyring, a staffer for Commissioner Patlak, said. Twenty-eight-year-old Brendan is one of the Commissioner's 18 analysts who research property tax values and work with constituents as they make their appeal. (He's also a graduate of four LI trainings.) “I kind of do a lot of everything,” Brendan said. “If people overpay, I work on one of the processes to help people get their money back.” In 2011, Commissioner Patlak's office worked on 341,688 cases and 62 percent of these received some sort of relief on their property's value, saving the taxpayer money, Brendan told the Leadership Institute. “There is no filing fee. It doesn't cost a property owner anything to appeal but their time,” Brendan explained. “And the Board of Review never raises one's assessment.” So, what's there to lose? “I'm always trying to do more, and be more willing to help,” Brendan said. “We want taxpayers to have a fair and proper assessment.” For more information, please visit: http://CookCountyBoardofReview.com/ or www.ElectPatlak.com/ “A typical day is not very different from any other elected official's staff. We provide constituent services,” Brendan shared. “The only difference is we field appeal files and phone calls for several hundred thousand people a year. Even with this many people, we treat all appellants, from large corporations such as Boeing, to an individual homeowner with the same care and attention. You can say we create policy every day.” Staff in the commissioner's office typically works on the submitted files; attending hearings with the taxpayer; and attending outreach seminars to teach constituents how to appeal their assessments. The Commissioner's office hosts regular “outreach seminars” that teach people how to appeal their property assessment and how it can result in lower taxes. Brendan said that sometimes they have groups as large as 600 or 700 people at the outreach seminars and other times, they meet with a group of just three to four people. Regardless of the meeting size, the Commissioner's analyst staffers remain until all questions have been answered and the process of appealing is clear. Brendan's proud of several things. First, “I worked on what might be the first new farm in Cook County in decades,” Brendan said. “The farm was already a farm, but was not properly assessed. I helped him to get the proper assessment.” The property owner purchased former commercial stables, and is now repurposing it as an organic honey farm, thanks to the savings from the property assessment. A second highlight: Cook County has met the tax bill filing deadline of July 1 for the first time in 34 years, Brendan said. “For every month delayed, it costs the county millions of dollars,” Brendan said. “We are on time this year because of all the hard work and overtime.” Brendan said it's typical for commissioner office staff to put in 70 to 80-hour workweeks and work 10 to 12 or even 14 days in a row during appeals season. “We are very different than most government agencies,” Brendan chuckled. “I'm just a small part in the refund process for those who have overpaid their taxes,” Brendan said. “Commissioner Dan Patlak's leadership has made this office work effectively and for the taxpayer's needs.” Besides being an analyst on the Board of Review for Commissioner Patlak, Brendan is on the executive board of the Schaumburg Township Republican Organization, a civic organization comprised of community volunteers whose mission is to promote better governance through voter education and by supporting and electing candidates who believe in the Republican principles of limited government, individual liberty, and fiscal responsibility. He is the Schaumburg Township collector, a liaison to the Human Services Fund, and a Schaumburg Township precinct captain. He's also currently studying to be a Certified Illinois Assessing Officer (CIAO). Brendan received his bachelor's degree in American and Roman history from the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana. Brendan has taken several Leadership Institute trainings: Getting Out the Vote in 2012 with New Media in June 2012, Public Speaking Workshop in November 2011, the Advanced New Media Workshop: Campaigns in October 2011, and the Campaign Management School in October 2011. “I learned how to win from the Leadership Institute,” Brendan said. “For those unfamiliar with Chicago and Illinois, politics here is very unforgiving. LI taught me why some campaigns did very well and others did not. Many of the successful tactics Commissioner Patlak employed, I recognized from LI. The Leadership Institute was very good at providing both in-depth training and the big picture information of running a campaign. The anecdotes from the very experienced lecturers were great! If more people would attend LI, we could really put some wins together.” Brendan admitted, “I always had an interest in campaigns, but did not know how to learn more. I hoped to learn as much as I could volunteering for different causes. Commissioner Patlak then suggested LI's Campaign Management School, which I had never heard of. I did not really know there was such a thing, but I was very excited to go.” “I am now hoping to become more involved in campaigns and possibly pursue it as a career,” Brendan shared. “I believe this fall will be a time of great opportunity and excitement that would not have been possible had I not attended LI's Campaign Management School.” Commissioner Patlak said, “I have encouraged my staff as well as any other motivated people who want to win elections to attend the Leadership Institute.” Brendan reflected, “I would not have attended LI or have been as involved in the Conservative movement had it not been for Commissioner Patlak. He is developing the next group of conservative leaders.” Please welcome Brendan Seyring as LI's Graduate of the Week. “It is very important to have a staff that views the taxpayer not simply as an unlimited fund for government spending,” Brendan said. “It has not always been the case that a commissioner and his staff have been so concerned with the needs of the taxpayer.” Check out last week's “Chicago's Cook County Commissioner: Part One—About the Man,” to learn more about the Commissioner and his campaign win. To nominate a Leadership Institute graduate to be featured as LI's graduate of the week, please contact LI's External Affairs Officer Lauren Hart at LaurenHart@LeadershipInstitute.org. LI offers training in 50 states and dozens of countries. Please go here to register for an already-scheduled training or contact LI to request training in your area.

I have reached the inevitable point of no return at which everyone asks, “Are you ready for school?” and “How was your summer?” Both questions cause a flood of emotions for me.I am excited to go back to school, but I'm sad to leave this summer behind.From the sunny day in May when I packed my dorm room into my grandma's convertible, bought a suit at Brooks Brothers, and headed to DC, to living with 11 other interns in one house (think Real World: DC, minus the drama), I have had so many amazing experiences and opportunities.It has been humbling and crazy – a summer like no other. I traded sleep, exercise, and healthy eating to maximize my time in the nation's capital, where there is always an event waiting for an RSVP. There is no such thing as a free lunch, unless you're a DC intern. Just make sure you dress the part.Was it worth the sacrifice? Without a doubt, it was.So, what have I learned this summer?1. Someone is always watching you. So be good for goodness sake! The golden rule should be your guiding principle. Write it on your hand as a constant reminder...or, at least, keep it at the forefront of your mind.2. Step out of your comfort zone. Just like Bristol Palin on Dancing with the Stars, try something new in spite of any criticism you might receive. Haters gonna hate. To keep yourself grounded, you should have some consistencies in your life like breakfast, church, and calls to mom and dad, just to name a few. But you need to challenge yourself, too.3. Ask questions and listen to the answers. Be an active learner. I have learned a lot by just listening to my fellow interns and leaders within the conservative movement. Some of my views have changed, while others are now stronger.4. Be professional. Always carry business cards with you, and keep your resume updated to the gold standard – second only to the Bible and the Constitution. Also, keep in mind that you have an online resume. Use Facebook and Twitter appropriately.5. Dress for success. Get a fashion mentor. This could be a friend, your mom, or even GQ. It doesn't have to be expensive, either. Take your wardrobe in strides. Start with at least one nice suit and then piece the rest together through various consignment shops and occasional steals (and by that I mean really good buys).6. Stay connected and follow up. Keep in contact with friends and leaders you've met during your internship. You never know where they might end up! Possibly the most important question you can ask is, “How can I help you?” Conversely, Benjamin Franklin said, “If you want to make a friend, ask them for a favor.” Helping others and asking them to help you establishes strong connections.7. Surround yourself with people you admire. This includes the influences of the books you read, shows you watch, and music you listen to. Show me your friends, and I'll show you your future.Finally, in all of it, have fun, and don't be afraid to fail. You're an intern, so now is the time to make mistakes. But remember you're not just an intern. You're more than that! Act like it!Shameless plug: The Leadership Institute offers the best internship in Washington, D.C. I am now a walking example. I received free housing, established an instant network of conservatives, attended free LI trainings, got free books, and attended several conferences. I also met great conservative rockstars like Star Parker, James O'Keefe, Lila Rose, Michele Bachmann, Herman Cain, Rebecca Kleefisch, and many more! If you want to have an unforgettable experience, I highly recommend you apply for the LI intern program.>

Dan Patlak is a politico. He's held campaign posts from volunteer campaign manager for a state representative race to press secretary on a U.S. Senate campaign. He's even run for office himself. In 2010, Dan was elected as a Commissioner at the Cook County Board of Review in Illinois. He represents one-third of his county's population. Illinois' Cook County includes 946 square miles and represents 5.3 million people, making it the “second most populous county in the nation and the 19th largest government in the United States,” according to the Cook County, Illinois webpage. This county includes the City of Chicago and the suburban municipalities surrounding it. After the “Republican Revoluton” of 1994, Dan dreamed of moving to Washington, D.C. to work full time in politics for a newly elected Member of Congress. “After speaking to an old time friend who recommended the Leadership Institute and their Capitol Hill School, I boarded a plane to Washington in early December to take the class and hopefully secure employment with one of the legislators in DC,” Dan reflected. The training was held at a hotel, he said, because the Leadership Institute (LI) had yet to secure a building of its own. Not until September 18, 1996 did LI open the doors to its current Steven P.J. Wood Building in Arlington, Virginia. “I picked up some good tips about the legislative workforce,” Dan said, “and heard from a speaker who I was to make friends with at another LI class a year later. His name was Alex Mooney and he was a legislative correspondent for a congressman from Maryland.” In 1995, Dan joined Al Salvi's U.S. Senate campaign in Illinois as a volunteer. So, Dan came back for more LI training. This time he took LI's Campaign Leadership School, now renamed the Campaign Management School. “I hung out each night with a group of about seven people,” Dan remembered. “One was Alex Mooney who went on to unseat the moderate Maryland Senate Minority leader two years later at the age of 27. I am proud to say that I was the first person to make a financial contribution to Senator Mooney's campaign…Also in our group was 21-year-old Adam Mack from Maine who, a year later, was elected a state representative, also defeating a moderate Republican Party leader.” One month after Dan took LI's Campaign Leadership School, the Salvi campaign hired him on full time. “I was hired by the Salvi campaign to be the assistant press secretary,” Dan shared. “Following Salvi's primary win, I was promoted to press secretary. Unfortunately, Salvi lost the general election to Dick Durbin and I was not able to fulfill my desire to work in DC.” But, with each campaign experience, Dan learned more and applied LI lectures to the campaigns and causes of his choice. “Since taking the Campaign Leadership School, I have referred many times to the spiral notebook I filled with notes,” admitted Dan. “The lectures for that school covered the gamut from door-to-door canvassing to literature creation to polling and far beyond. The speakers were among the most expert conservatives in the country. He continued, “Over the years I have attended 10 Leadership Institute trainings, including the Future Candidate, Public Relations, Public Speaking, Grassroots Activist, Youth Leadership, Capitol Hill Writing, Get-Out-the-Vote, and Internet schools.” At the Future Candidate School, Dan befriended a fellow attendee in his twenties from Texas. His name was Rick Green, Dan said, and this 20-something went on to win a spot in the Texas House of Representatives, where he represented Central Texas' District 45 from 1999 to 2003. Later, Rick went on to run for the Texas Supreme Court. Dan regularly encourages folks to attend LI training. He told the Leadership Institute that Tom Morrison began attending LI courses through his recommendation. Tom was elected as a Illinois state representative in November 2010, and won by 24 percentage points. “LI classes are great for what they teach and if you attend a multi-day class they are just as valuable for the opportunity to meet fellow conservatives from around the United States who possess a desire to build a better America,” Dan said. Please welcome Dan Patlak as LI's Graduate of the Week. He may just one day find himself working in Washington, fulfilling a long-time dream. You just never know where LI graduates will go. “As the highest ranking Republican Cook County office holder, I have encouraged my staff as well as any other motivated people who want to win elections to attend the Leadership Institute,” Dan said. Tune in next week for “Chicago's Cook County Commissioner: Part Two—An Inside Look within the Office,” in which we will highlight one of his staffers and give you a peek into the inner workings within a commissioner's office. To nominate a Leadership Institute graduate to be featured as LI's graduate of the week, please contact LI's External Affairs Officer Lauren Hart at LaurenHart@LeadershipInstitute.org. LI offers training in 50 states and dozens of countries. Please go here to register for an already-scheduled training or contact LI to request training in your area.

We've all heard it: "D.C. is built on networking!" But my first few [forced] networking events in D.C. made for painful memories. Thrown into a room full of people I had never met, I would work up the courage to talk to one or two attendees before making a beeline for the refreshments and enjoying a few moments of refuge. When you hear the word "networking," is this the type of experience that comes to mind?Attending events in D.C. and meeting new people is important (and, trust me, it gets easier!), but there's more to building a network than simply adding new people to it. Your network is already larger than you think.I was once asked to write down the names of 100 people whom I consider to be part of my network. Daunting! But after struggling for a while, I was given categories to consider: family, friends, classmates, teachers, co-workers, teammates, Happy Hour crew … and the list went on. Thinking of 100 people was suddenly quite easy. When looking for a job in D.C., it's common to only think of the "big fish," the people with clout who you assume will help you get where you want to go. I meet with many jobseekers who want to work on specific Capitol Hill committees, but they aren't sure how to get there due to their lack of Hill experience and connections. They do have valid concerns, but many of them also make the common mistake of underestimating their networks. Think about your ideal position and work backward. To continue with the Congressional committee example, learn who serves on the committee and figure out their connections. Then follow the chain backward until you find a personal connection of your own. Approach that person about making an introduction for you to the next person up the chain. It's true that D.C. is built on networking, but you may already have a stronger network than you realize. Don't let it go to waste. >

The Leadership institute recently hosted more than 90 students at the July Youth Leadership School. The Institute's flagship training brought many young conservatives together from all over the U.S.Dan Quiggle, a faculty member at the Leadership Institute (LI) and a business entrepreneur by trade, kicked the training off with the “The Real Nature of Politics” lecture, which confronts a popular misconception of conservative activists. “You're not going to win just because your heart is pure,” Dan stated. “The fact is that political technology determines political success.”The lecture titled “Prepare for Leadership” was taught by Peggy Grande, a ten-year staff member to President Ronald Reagan during his post-presidency years. During the lecture, she discussed developing a written plan, adhering to a timeline, initial organizational activities, youth campaign headquarters, and senior campaign relations were regarded in great depth. In her opening remarks Peggy gave some advice to the many aspiring politicos in the room.“I didn't come from a political family,” Peggy said. “The way that I achieved my goals was by being constantly available and always arriving earlier and staying later than anyone else. If you make that effort to stand out through excellence you will find success.”Matt Kneece, LI's director of the Youth Leadership School (YLS) department and a veteran of six campaigns, also delivered several lectures throughout the weekend.Many students found his talk on building a conservative organization especially insightful. Megan Lowe, a rising senior and founder of Young Women for America at Cedarville University in Ohio, said: “I learned so many new ways to get my message out – whether with balloon posters, flash flyers, or special projects. These are methods that can be easily done on campus.”LI YLS Intern Pamela Meyerhofer delivered her first lecture on how to effectively organize high schools for the conservative cause. “High schoolers are different than college students,” Pamela said. “In order to be successful in utilizing them, you must understand the differences.”In fact, one of the young high school attendees hopes to use her training to organize the youth vote at her at school.Martha Crosby, a soon-to-be U.S. citizen and passionate conservative leader generously described her experience:“After taking the YLS, I am devoted in becoming an exemplary leader for my university and as a U.S. citizen. With the knowledge I have absorbed, I know I can get there.” >

Nena Bartlett, in her late 20s, is already making huge strides for lovers of liberty. She's worked on a presidential campaign, a U.S. Senate campaign, for think tanks, and now for Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) on Capitol Hill while also leading a libertarian non-profit, Ladies of Liberty Alliance. “When I was growing up, I knew I wanted to make a difference,” Nena told the Leadership Institute. “I studied international trade in college because I thought that improving business operations in those resource-rich, and yet chronically impoverished countries could help families who need it the most.” “I came to realize that it is the governments themselves that most significantly impede wealth creation and thus, their country's development… Liberty, on the other hand, accelerates progress and improves more people's lives than anything else can, and this is my motivation in promoting it,” Nena shared. In 2007 and 2008, she was the field director for Ron Paul's 2008 presidential campaign. Nena first learned of the Leadership Institute (LI) through her job with Ron Paul. “Many of my colleagues on the Ron Paul campaign in 2007 were former LI employees,” Nena said. “These were people I liked and respected very much. When the campaign ended, a number of people told me about LI's job board, ConservativeJobs.com, and the training opportunities offered by LI that I could now take advantage of.” Since, Nena has taken five LI trainings: Public Speaking Workshop 2 in May 2008; Capitol Hill Job Seminar in June 2008; Advanced Internet Technologies Workshop in August 2008; High-Dollar Fundraising School in September 2008; and Public Speaking Workshop in February 2012. “When I attended LI's Capitol Hill Jobs Seminar, I had no idea I would someday end up on the Hill,” Nena recalled. “I had just finished working on the Ron Paul campaign of 2008 and had an open mind as to what I would do next. I ended up interviewing with congressional offices -- through my profile on LI's ConservativeJobs.com -- that would not have been a good fit philosophically. I learned at the jobs seminar that if you had the goal of working on the Hill, you should be flexible about who you began working for, and that you should look first at members from your state.” After Ron Paul's 2008 presidential campaign, Nena went to work for the Cato Institute as a development associate and as the executive assistant to the President until March 2010. “I attended the Leadership Institute's High-Dollar Fundraising School while working in the development department at the Cato Institute,” Nena remembered, “and I will be able to use some of the ideas I learned at this training to raise money for Ladies of Liberty Alliance someday as well.” She left the Cato Institute to campaign for Rand Paul for U.S. Senate in Kentucky. She was a scheduler, then the assistant campaign manager, and now Nena works as one of his legislative aides in the Capitol. “Senator Paul is a great boss because he encourages his staff to raise concerns or suggest legislation regarding what we are interested in, whether it is improving the U.S.'s reputation overseas, food and farming freedom, getting the government out of health care, or keeping the government away from the internet. It is a busy Senate office indeed,” Nena told the Leadership Institute. Since May 2011, she's also stayed busy leading her own non-profit organization—Ladies for Liberty Alliance (LOLA)—as its executive director. The group's mission is to educate and empower female leaders in the liberty movement. “My hope is that by encouraging leadership among liberty-minded women, we can share our ideas more effectively and attract exponentially more people so that the ideas of liberty are pervasive and even mainstream,” Nena said. She's taking what she's learned in LI trainings and applying the techniques to her organization. “I have loved all of the trainings that I attended at LI over the years so much that I am trying to model a lot of LOLA's work after it! It seems that LI practices every level of ‘best practices' and I have appreciated the little things, like having attendees write notes to donors to thank them for the training. What a wonderful idea! I'm even attending another LI training event this summer,” Nena said. In her “free” time, Nena serves as the treasurer of DC Liberty Toastmasters, the chair of the Republican Liberty Caucus of DC, and as vice president and treasurer of the Norwich Alumni DC Chapter. Nena also interned at the Organization of American States in its external relations office and for the Committee for Justice. She received her B.A. in language and international trade from Eastern Michigan University and an M.A. in diplomacy from Norwich University in Vermont. “It is an honor that an organization I admire so greatly would choose to highlight my work,” Nena shared. Please welcome Nena Bartlett as LI's Graduate of the Week. To nominate a Leadership Institute graduate to be featured as LI's graduate of the week, please contact LI's External Affairs Officer Lauren Hart at LaurenHart@LeadershipInstitute.org. LI offers training in 50 states and dozens of countries each year. Please go here to register for an already-scheduled training or contact LI to request training in your area. “I tell everyone I know about the excellent experience I have had with LI, especially job-seekers," Nena said. "The Leadership Institute is a great, professional resource for anyone wishing to build their resume or expand their skill-set.”

Last week 985 conservatives celebrated Independence Day at the 41st National Fourth of July Conservative Soiree at Bull Run Park in Centreville, Virginia. From first-time attendees to decade-long friends in the conservative movement, all found something to enjoy at the Soiree – whether it was the petting zoo, face painting, and moon bounce for the kids or great food and barbeque, field games, and patriotic speeches, fun for all ages.Cal Thomas, a conservative columnist and Fox News Watch panelist, delivered a moving keynote speech about the true meaning of independence, and how it must be fought for and defended by each generation.The day's other speakers continued on that theme.“The ultimate meaning of the Fourth of July,” said Morton Blackwell, Leadership Institute president, “is the independence of the United States, which certainly is one of the great events in world history.”In his speech to the audience, George Allen, former Virginia governor, said, “The spirit of our country is the Declaration of Independence that all men are created equal and that we are endowed by our Creator with certain inalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness... And those are the enduring principles of our country that we need to rededicate ourselves to every Independence Day.”Public figures and conservative leaders joined the Soiree celebrations, including Jim Gilmore, former Virginia governor; George Allen, former Virginia governor and senator; Ken Cuccinelli, Virginia Attorney General; and Pat Mullins, Virginia Republican Party chairman. (Note that the Leadership Institute does not endorse or oppose candidates for public office.)Southern California college student Maurice Lewis was especially inspired by the Soiree.“This whole experience is giving such inspiration for my conservative newspaper,” said Maurice Lewis, a college student in southern California. He attended a Youth Leadership School at the Leadership Institute just three days later. “Great people on a great day with a great message.”The soiree had many conservative organizations as partners.Grand patron included 60 Plus Association, Americans for Prosperity Foundation, Fairfax Christian School, Generation Opportunity, Government Is Not God, Leadership Institute, Let Freedom Ring, Morgan, Meredith & Associates, National Right to Work Committee, Regent University, and the Washington Examiner.Patrons included: Eagle Forum, The Family Foundation, Family Research Council, and Stephen Clouse & Associates.Co-sponsors: Heritage Foundation, National Rifle Association, Science and Environmental Policy Project, Trimark Corporation, Restoration America 2012, and Young America's Foundation.>

We've all heard it: the economy is tough and jobs are scarce. So, why not create your own job, and work for something you love? That's exactly what Paris-born and raised Alexandre Pesey did. He founded the France-based Tocqueville Fellowship and the Institut de Formation Politique. But first, he came to America in the summer of 2000 to intern at the Leadership Institute (LI) in its Recruitment department. While interning, Alexandre took 14 LI trainings on topics including from fundraising, broadcast journalism, legislative project management, public speaking, and online activism. “LI has been helpful to me in my professional journey in three areas—techniques, network, and the conservative movement,” Alexandre said. “For techniques, I learned what you never learn even in the best law or business schools. Thanks to Morton, I was put in touch with intellectual entrepreneurs, thinkers, and activists. These people have mentored me, inspired me, advised me, and encouraged me. While interning, I got to touch the conservative movement, learn how to work together to get things done, and understand the core ideas and principles of the movement.” In 2003—at the age of 28—Alexandre established the Tocqueville Fellowship. This one-month fellowship allows young French people between the ages of 20 and 28 to come to the United States to learn about American conservatism through visits with policymakers and think tank staffers as well as attend hands-on political technology seminars. “In 2004, I started the Institut de Formation Politique with two other friends (Thomas Millon and Jean Martinez),” Alexandre told the Leadership Institute. Three things contributed to his organization's start: his parents' example as entrepreneurs; his desire to help his country; and his Leadership Institute internship, he said. “My internship with Morton Blackwell at the Leadership Institute was decisive,” Alexandre says of deciding to start his conservative French organization, Institut de Formation Politique (IFP). “I learned a lot, but more specifically four things," Alexandre said. "The first, I discovered the history of the American conservative movement and got a lot of inspiration from it. I wrote my thesis on the Heritage Foundation. Second, I learned about French authors like Frédéric Bastiat. I was never told anything about them in French schools. Third, I learned how to know more about the media and even get in the media (LI trained me and helped me work at CNN where I worked in their political shows in D.C). Fourth, I learned how to raise funds and then created Institut de Formation Politique.” Alexandre currently serves as IFP's executive director. The organization's mission is to identify, recruit, train, and place young conservatives. “We organize trainings both on ideas and on techniques, such as weekend seminars, monthly evening working sessions, e-learning in philosophy, publications of short papers on themes that are always in the media and prizes for the best, and networking events,” Alexandre said. “We have trained 450 students. Some are now working in Congress, the media, or civil society (think tanks and action tanks).” “My wife Kate is an LI graduate and former LI employee,” Alexandre said. “She helped me launch IFP and is my best advisor and teammate.” Alexandre and Kate have three children: four-year-old Emma, two-year-old Remi, and one-year-old Riley. Leadership Institute President Morton Blackwell said, “Alex and Kate in France are doing very well with their creation modeled on LI.” If you are interested in starting a conservative organization, please read Morton Blackwell's Conservative Organizational Entrepreneur. “The Leadership Institute is the place to go to learn about the best techniques needed as a political entrepreneur or for any political action,” Alexandre said. “LI is the place to go to be at the core of the conservative network and the base to discover the conservative movement.” LI offers training in 50 states and dozens of countries each year. Please go here to register for an already-scheduled training or contact LI to request training in your area. LI also offers internships in the fall, spring, and summer. If you are interested in knowing more, please click here. Please welcome Alexandre Pesey as LI's Graduate of the Week. To nominate a Leadership Institute graduate to be featured as LI's graduate of the week, please contact LI's External Affairs Officer Lauren Hart at LaurenHart@LeadershipInstitute.org.

Last Thursday the Leadership Institute hosted its largest ever on-site training: 149 DC summer interns from 60 organizations, including 16 Capitol Hill offices, from around DC came for the free, day-long Conservative Intern Workshop. From 9 a.m. until 6:30 p.m. conservative interns from various organizations around the DC area took part in thorough training encompassing many areas from networking to proper professional attire. Eight faculty spoke throughout the day. The first was LI's Vice President of Development Steve Sutton, a former chief of staff in the U.S. House of Representatives for more than 14 years. Steve spoke about how to find job opportunities in public policy, and railed against a popular trend he often sees. “So many people come to DC wanting to work on the Hill,” Steve said. “They end up waiting tables, and then go home. Don't go home! There are so many opportunities off of the Hill!”Among the many Conservative Intern Workshop speakers, Conservative Leadership PAC Executive Director Lance Wheeler stood out in his commentary about making a positive first impression.“A good first impression is a good lasting impression,” Lance said. “An internship is just an extended interview. Always be putting your best effort forward.”Liberty Consulting, Inc. Intern Anna Shoffner described the workshop as, “Extremely beneficial! They really rolled out the red carpet for us interns to equip us as activists, and I feel like I learned from wonderful people--both other interns and Leadership Institute staff!”After attending the workshop, Campaign for Liberty Intern Sarah Harvard said: “After completing the LI Intern workshop, I feel more confident than ever to follow my political ambitions. It is such an honor and privilege to have prominent individuals to enlighten my knowledge of careers in politics. From resumes to first impressions, from dressing for interviews to networking, and from the principles of excellence to the nature of politics, I was able to understand the world of politics. I encourage all interns to take the intern workshop -- it may change the way you see DC for the better!”Additional training opportunities with LI were detailed. LI reinforced its leading role as the go to place for conservative career advice. Interns were given tours of LI's facilities including LI Studios, given comprehensive Program Catalogs of all LI's course offerings, introduced to LI's Employment Placement Service, given resume advice, and taught how to become an indispensable asset as an intern and beyond.Workshop organizer Heather Homan, LI's political training coordinator, said: "I am pleased 149 interns took advantage of the opportunity to network with other liberty-minded conservatives in the DC area at our Conservative Intern Workshop. We brought in seasoned political veterans to share their tips and secrets on how to survive DC and stand out as an intern. The information these interns learned such as networking effectively and understanding the REAL nature of politics are lessons I hope they continue to use well past their current internships."LI also offers internships each fall, spring, and summer. Go here for more information. >

As America's Independence Day approaches, let's treasure those that let freedom ring. Commitment to conservative causes, for some, are a lifetime calling. In the 1980s, George Landrith was a political science and economics major at conservative Brigham Young University and, later, business editor of the Virginia Journal of Law and Politics at the University of Virginia School of Law. Since school, George's fight for liberty continues. He was admitted as a member of the United States Supreme Court bar, ran for federal office, elected to local office, appointed by the Virginia governor to a business council, and served as senior staff for two organizations in the conservative movement. “As long as I can remember, I knew of the Leadership Institute,” George said. “When I was involved in campaigns as a volunteer, the best candidates seemed to have young staffers who had been trained at the Leadership Institute,” George said. “So when I was recruited to run for the U.S. House of Representatives in the early 1990s, I wanted to make sure I had the best possible team. That meant I wanted my staff and volunteers trained by LI. I also made sure my consultant was LI-trained. He helped me obtain a solid staff and volunteer team all of whom were top LI trainees.” George continued, “I was naturally a conservative and I had a solid working knowledge of conservative principles and why they matter in public policy discussions. But I had no idea of the political technology that was needed to be employed to take those conservative principles and turn them into an effective and compelling campaign. The Leadership Institute provided me with the training and knowledge to organize and run an effective campaign and create the opportunities to get my message out despite being outspent about 4-to-1.” He learned a lot from his campaign loss. “While I did not win my congressional election, it was a very, very close race and the incumbent, who had won by almost 40 points only two years earlier, won by only the slimmest of margins. Despite the loss, I learned a great deal about public policy and the conservative movement,” George said. “As a result, I began working at a conservative think-tank and have spent my professional life promoting the vision of the founders. Additionally, I've had the privilege of teaching at the Leadership Institute's various schools.” George believes in training the next generation of conservative leaders. As an LI faculty member, George has shared his expertise at more than 15 LI trainings from Future Candidate Schools to Public Relations Schools to Campaign Management Schools, and he is an adjunct professor teaching constitutional law, appellate advocacy, and legal writing to future attorneys at George Mason School of Law. George was elected to the school board in Virginia's Albemarle County, and served children and the community in this capacity for three years. He was later appointed by Governor George Allen and confirmed by the General Assembly to the Virginia Workforce 2000 Advocacy Council. From 1997-1999, George served as vice president and general counsel to the National Legal Center for the Public Interest. Since 1998, George has led Frontiers of Freedom as its president. This educational institute promotes conservative public policy based on the principles of individual freedom, peace through strength, limited government, free enterprise, and traditional American values as found in the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence. “I work on a wide variety of issues in hopes of bringing conservative principles and solutions to the general public, opinion leaders, and policy makers,” George told the Leadership Institute. “All of my work relates to one or more of the ten tenets which defines and shapes all of our work at Frontiers of Freedom.” To boot, George is a frequent TV and radio guest sharing freedom with all who will listen. He's been quoted in more than 100 newspapers, including the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, the Chicago Tribune, National Review, the Washington Post, and Human Events. He also authored On Politics and Policy: Views on Freedom from an American Conservative. “The Leadership Institute trains conservatives of all ages how to be more effective conservatives – how to organize and campaign more effectively, how to reach out through the media with greater impact, and how to speak more convincingly,” George said. “They teach college students how to organize and create conservative student publications. They teach campaign workers, managers, press secretaries, and candidates how do their jobs effectively and with high impact. They teach aspiring journalists and reporters the skills needed to be successful. To me the value of the Leadership Institute is that it teaches conservatives how to make their message the winning message.” Do you want a “winning” message? Enroll in an upcoming training. LI offers training in 50 states and dozens of countries each year. Please go here to register for an already-scheduled training or contact LI to request training in your area. Please welcome George Landrith as LI's Graduate of the Week. To nominate a Leadership Institute graduate to be featured as LI's graduate of the week, please contact LI's External Affairs Officer Lauren Hart at LaurenHart@LeadershipInstitute.org.

Earlier this week, more than 30 students attended the Leadership Institute's Public Relations School where they learned branding, mass communications, media relations, one-on-one communication, and pitching.Advantage, Inc. Vice President of Operations Jim Eltringham kicked off the training by teaching message development and hammered home the importance of emotion in crafting messages. “There has to be emotion,” Jim said. “It has to tug on your heart strings. You don't win elections on ideas and politics alone.”He emphasized the need for politicians to identify with the voters: “People don't want labels. They want leaders. They want solutions. The audience wants to know what you are going to do to solve their problems.”Leadership Institute Director of Digital Communications Abby Alger spoke about how to promote messages through social media. “We expect people to be relatable and real,” she said.Scott Hogenson, senior vice president for Dezenhall Resources, began the second night of training with a lecture on public relation strategies.“The world of journalism is changing, and it is changing fast,” Scott told attendees.He emphasized the importance of learning how to handle negative information correctly. If you can't get around releasing the negative information, then you need to make sure you have a plan ready and in place.Lindsey Mask, founder of Ladies America & Ladies International, closed the second night off by telling attendees her personal experience with branding an organization.Lindsey expressed that being passionate about your job and the work you do is the key to success. In addition, there is also a strong need for focus. She encouraged the students to write down their biographies and reflect on their goals.“Know thyself,” Lindsey encouraged attendees. “Accept your strengths and weaknesses.”Leading the final night of the school, Mark Pfeifle, communication and outreach strategist with S4 Inc., spoke on crisis management.Mark taught how to deal with crises in a live-action role play where students were divided into two groups, Democratic leaders versus Republican leaders, and had to craft messages for their side assuming Obamacare was ruled unconstitutional.David Daum, who portrayed Speaker of the House John Boehner, found this activity very insightful.“By competing and acting out the crisis strategy of President Obama and Mitt Romney, I felt like I had privileged insight into the minds of their respective public relations teams,” He explained.Garrett Kamp, acting as President Obama, also found value in the activity. “By role-playing as the president, I learned not only how to manage a crisis, but I learned how to predict and respond to my opponent's behavior.”The final speaker, Ian Ivey, senior management advisor at the General Services Administration, taught about one-on-one communication styles.After having the class figure out their own personality style, he had the students partner up and analyze each other's personality style. He then compared the different communication methods used within each group, and taught attendees how to relate to people who are completely opposite.Many students enjoyed this activity and felt their future interactions would greatly benefit from learning these communication techniques. Summer intern for Susan B. Anthony List Santina Scarcella said, “Now I realize there are ways to approach people and I feel more comfortable doing so.”LI's next Public Relations School will be held September 24-26. Go here to register.>

The granddaughter of a campaign man for both Ronald Reagan and Jesse Helms as well as a five-time conservative book author follows family tradition: taking on a high-profile role to shape public policy. Hadley Heath has dedicated the start of her career in Washington, D.C. to learn and educate others about health care policy. The issue is timely, with a Supreme Court decision on the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act, commonly referred to as “Obamacare,” expected this Thursday. “Local folks should come to SCOTUS [the Supreme Court of the United States] Thursday,” Hadley encouraged. Hadley focuses on health care policy as a senior policy analyst for Independent Women's Forum. “One of my favorite projects is the HealthCareLawsuits.org Web site, a site we created to track the legal challenges to President Obama's health law,” Hadley said. “Health care is a great issue for limited government conservatives: It gives us a chance to explain the difference between government control and market-based solutions.” Hadley's op-eds on health care have been published in Roll Call, The Tampa Tribune, Daily Caller, Townhall, Human Events, and National Review's Critical Condition blog. She has appeared on Fox News, Fox Business, Al-Jazeera English, FoxNews.com, PJTV, as well as a variety of talk radio shows. This week she is booked for many on-air appearances. At her employer's suggestion, Hadley enrolled in the Leadership Institute's On-Camera Television Workshop in August 2010, just a few weeks after being hired by Independent Women's Forum (IWF). “Independent Women's Forum encouraged me to attend media training, and naturally they turned to the Leadership Institute as the best source of professional training,” Hadley said. “I learned in the Leadership Institute's training that communication on television is very different from communication in writing. You may not have the chance to make your main point later; you should begin by getting directly to the point,” Hadley said. “I was nervous to do any live on-camera work, but LI's workshop was an important step for me in overcoming this fear and learning how to present myself as a likable, articulate advocate for limited government.” Hadley's grandfather and his example marked her for life in the public policy arena. “My grandfather is a life-long conservative and has been influential on my views on society and government,” Hadley told the Leadership Institute. Co-founding the chapter of Young Republicans at Shelby High School in North Carolina was another confidence booster early on in Hadley's political journey. But it wasn't until college at the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill that Hadley became an articulate, assertive conservative. “I owe a thank you to all the liberals at UNC who, through practice, taught me a lot about articulating and defending my conservative views,” Hadley shared. She majored in economics and journalism with a focus in electronic/broadcast media. However, her global perspective was enhanced by receiving the Morehead-Cain scholarship. “This scholarship afforded me unique travel experiences in college including a survival course in California's Sierra Nevadas, a service project in Calcutta, India, an independent research project in Western Europe, and a semester abroad in Santiago, Chile,” Hadley fondly remembered. “This scholarship program definitely shaped my direction in life and gave me opportunities I could not have found elsewhere.” As a college junior, Hadley read What Our Mothers Didn't Tell Us by Danielle Crittenden, an IWF scholar. The book so sparked her interest in IWF's work that she applied for a summer internship with the organization. “This led to the job offer that got me where I am today,” Hadley told LI. “The women I've worked with at IWF have been incredible mentors: They've helped me hone my writing skills and my understanding of public policy, and importantly, they've supported my every venture - whether professional or personal.” The Independent Women's Forum is a is a non-partisan, 501(c)(3) research and educational institution that aggressively seeks earned media, provides easy-to-read, timely publications and commentary, and reaches out to the public to cultivate support and encourage women to join the organization in working to return the country to limited, constitutional government. “I did not come to Washington with the expectation of appearing on TV,” Hadley shared. “I simply wanted to advocate for limited government in the best way that I can. My training at the Leadership Institute definitely gave me the confidence to pursue broadcast media as another avenue to do this. Since my training, I've found that appearing on live television gets easier and easier with practice. But my first experience on TV would've been much harder without the important lessons I learned at LI.” Hadley joins more than 107,000 graduates trained by the Leadership Institute since 1979. You too can become LI trained. LI offers training in 50 states and dozens of countries each year. Please go here to register for an already-scheduled training or contact LI to request training in your area. “The Leadership Institute is a friendly, encouraging environment for conservatives to find the professional training they need to survive in Washington,” Hadley said. “We face a difficult but important task - advocating for limited government in a city prone to favor government expansion. But that's why LI's work is so vital: This Institute can prepare conservative professionals for the toughest challenges and equip them for success.” Please welcome Hadley as LI's Graduate of the Week. To nominate a Leadership Institute graduate to be featured as LI's graduate of the week, please contact LI's External Affairs Officer Lauren Hart at LaurenHart@LeadershipInstitute.org. The Leadership Institute does not oppose or support any candidate, official, or legislation and all programs are open to the public.

Earlier this month more than 50 conservatives gathered to learn more about online activism.Republican National Committee Digital Victory Director Matt DeLuca started off by teaching the class the basics.Matt hammered home that online grassroots activism is about relationships and authenticity, “You want them to share it. You want them to be involved.”He said that if students only took one thing from his lecture it should be the “importance of recognizing platforms and how to use them to get your message out. Be creative!”President of Braynard Group, Inc. Matt Braynard shared the methods and strategies involved with online fundraising.He talked about the technology behind online fundraising and explained the advantages and disadvantages of each method to attendees.Matt also taught about security strategies and keeping donor information safe, explaining, “Never store credit card numbers. Ever.”Finishing off the evening was the Leadership Institute's Director of Digital Communications Abigail Alger.Abby tied the night together by giving students an outline for putting together their own digital campaign strategy.She covered a variety of topics including: online budgeting, the importance of a database, buying domain names, settingup a good website, email campaigns, using social media, and more. Students who attended the class benefited greatly.“Superb new media workshop – a wealthof information,” said John Bianchi of Hartsdale, NY.Another attendee, Adrian Guillory of Lake Charles, LA, said he “really enjoyed the program and would strongly recommend it to others!”LI's next New Media Workshop will be July 19. Go here to register.>

The Leadership Institute hosted more than 50 conservatives at its rigorous four-day Campaign Management School, part of LI's monthly campaign training series. Lectures ran eight to 10 hours Monday through Thursday, covering everything from political research to buying and developing effective paid media.Adrian Guillory, who recently worked on the Ron Paul 2012 campaign in Louisiana as an intern, was one conservative who attended. The budding activist said, “This was a fun training from leading conservative campaign experts who provide invaluable lessons to achieve election victory.”Day One:Topics included: campaign research, writing a campaign plan, campaign finance, developing a message, polling basics, and campaign structure/organization.Jason Torchinsky, a partner at Holtzman Vogel PLCC, lectured on campaign finance. The lecture explored concepts such as finance-related steps to building a successful campaign, limits, rules, reporting, record keeping, and handling filed complaints.Fred Mullner, an environmental engineer with Eastman Chemical said, “Jason's experience was very obvious and lent a practical aspect to an otherwise very dry subject.” Fred hopes to use the teaching to gain knowledge on how to raise campaign funds successfully.Day Two:Topics included: vote targeting, handling negative information, building coalitions/recruiting volunteers, and contacting voters with phones.Shannon Burns, CEO of Victory Solutions, has dedicated himself and his company to developing technology that empowers conservative causes. In his lecture, Shannon demonstrated the essential nature of phones, how to set up a phone bank, and how to write scripts for volunteers to use when making campaign calls.Governor John Kasich's Regional Liaison Sandra Brasington, a training attendee, found his lecture helpful.“Shannon helped the audience understand clearly the power of phones and voter contacts in campaigns – an aspect that cannot be ignored no matter the size of the race,” Sandra said.Day Three:Topics included: fundraising with events, building a fundraising machine, writing a finance plan, funding a campaign with direct mail, voter mapping, developing a get out the vote effort, and door-to-door strategies.Dan Morgan, president of Morgan, Meredith & Associates, a full-service fundraising firm he founded in 1987, delivered the lecture titled, “Writing a Finance Plan.” During his lecture, Dan emphasized the importance of creating event committees, who to invite (as donors) to a fundraiser, and ways to make a campaign stand out.Day Four:Topics included: latest campaign technologies, compelling voter mail, new rules of paid media, hiring and firing consultants, basics of paid media, tips on handling earned media, and fine tuning a campaign strategy.Tim Wesolek, an executive account manager for NBC25/WHAG-TV, lectured on buying paid media and advice on how to do candidate versus issue ads.Tom Grimes, a Tea Party affiliate from South Bend, Indiana, is no stranger to LI trainings. “This is my fifth LI workshop,” Tom said. “I'm looking forward to building my knowledge to increase my credibility when working with candidates.”Another attendee, Jim Knowlton, said, “This is probably the best training available.” Jim plans on using what he learned to help local state senate and house campaigns. If you are interested in taking LI's monthly campaign trainings, please contact Political Training Coordinator Heather Homan at Heather.Homan@LeadershipInstitute.org>

Just like a Jillian Michaels workout, networking can be tough. Similar to staying in shape, your network is something that can whittle away if you don't actively work at it.And if you're anything like me, networking does not come naturally. I used to be extremely shy, and I didn't see myself ever changing. But I have changed, and so can you! Here are some tips I've found helpful in maximizing my networking skills.1. Practice "let's pretend."Ask yourself, "What would the ideal networker do in this situation?" Pretend that you are that person, and do it. As you consciously emulate good networkers, you can reinvent yourself. You'll never be perfect, but you can make steps that take you closer and closer to becoming a networking guru.2. Adopt a role model.Best case scenario, your role model is also your mentor, helping you, advising you, guiding you, even lending you his network as you build your own. If you can, ask her how she got to where she is now. Attend events with him and take mental notes.3. Take lessons.You're taking one now as you read this blog, but there are other educational opportunitites that are helpful for overcoming shyness and inexperience. Attend lectures and trainings, such as the Conservative Intern Workshop and the Conservative Career Workshop run by the Leadership Institute, to learn tips for feeling more comfortable in networking situations.4. Join up.Just about any group or organization offers opportunities to make contacts and grow personally and professionally, which you can tailor to your career and your personal hobbies. Join political groups, teach Sunday school, and, of course, take a fitness class at your local gym. Surround yourself with people you aspire to be more like. Networking doesn't just happen at stuffy cocktail parties. Look for fun opportunities to meet other people.5. Have a little faith......in yourself. Dale Carnegie summed it up well: "You can make more friends in two months by becoming really interested in other people than you can in two years by trying to get other people interested in you. Which is another way of saying that the way to make a friend is to be one." Remember that networking is a two-way street. Your motivations do not have to be selfish. Focus on establishing relationships.I send you off with a maxim from networking expert Harvey Mackay: "The more you exercise your networking muscles, the stronger they get - and the easier networking becomes." Give yourself opportunities to practice, and have patience while learning.>

Born in the Big Apple to Holocaust survivors, college student Henry Kriegel launched the Columbia University Young Americans for Freedom campus group in the early 1980s. His inspiration? It was his parents' fight for survival during the Holocaust and Ronald Reagan's election in 1980. Henry's passion for survivors moved him across the country to Los Angeles, where he helped Afghan refugees get on their feet and organize a rally against the Soviet Union in the mid 1980s. Soon after, he was hired by Washington, D.C.-based Committee for a Free Afghanistan as its public relations director. Two years later he became executive director, a position he held until the Soviets completely withdrew from Afghanistan in 1989. His group worked with Rep. Charlie Wilson and other Members of Congress to support the Afghans. “The movie and book Charlie Wilson's War is very accurate,” Henry told the Leadership Institute. “I left Washington, DC in 1990 because I felt I had made my contribution and wanted to join my friends who lived in Big Sky Country—Montana, also known as the last best place." "I hardly ever looked back until 9/11, when I watched airplanes strike the World Trade Center, in New York, my hometown. Shocked to discover that the terrorists were trained in Afghanistan, I then got re-energized and launched a remote radio PR tour urging the Bush Administration to work closely with the Northern Alliance to exact retribution on the Taliban and Al Qaeda,” Henry said. “I appeared on nearly every major radio talk show and several TV programs while traveling to New York and Los Angeles. I haven't stopped my activism since that time.” Now, Henry's active in local issues. He's a Tea Partier: He co-founded the Bozeman Tea Party and initiated the Montana Tea Party Coalition. They hosted the largest Fourth of July Tea Party rally, where roughly every 20th resident of the city took part, despite opposition. He's also president of Montanans for Tax Reform, where he collects signed Taxpayer Protection Pledges from local and state-level public officials. Their signature is a pledge to those they represent stating they will not raise taxes while in office. This pledge is a project of Americans for Tax Reform. Henry hosts a weekly radio show on Thursdays at 9 a.m. mountain time at KMMS-AM 1450 Bozeman, KPRK 1340 Livingston, and on the web at www.kmmsam.com. He's additionally the deputy state director in Montana for Americans for Prosperity (AFP), an organization of grassroots leaders who engage citizens in the name of limited government and free markets on the local, state, and federal levels. Henry works with Tea Party and Liberty groups throughout Montana organizing events, rallies, and forums as well as representing Americans for Prosperity to the media. He updates the state website, communicates important legislative updates to members, and provides testimony before the legislature. “I also helped organize the Leadership Institute training in Bozeman and supported LI's training in Missoula,” Henry said of the trainings earlier this year. “It was my intent to bring more professional skills training to activists who have the passion and the desire and just need additional training to be more effective.” Henry first learned of the Leadership Institute in the mid-90's when he was working in DC and attending the Paul Weyrich Station Club meetings, where LI's President Morton Blackwell often presented. “I knew the Leadership Institute to be the leader in activist training and I actually attended a training in the summer of 2001 at LI's headquarters in Virginia,” Henry said. “When I got involved in the Tea Party movement, I knew our activists needed LI training. It took me over a year to get the Montana Tea Party Coalition and my local Tea Party to sponsor and support the training. AFP was already working closely with LI and they were very eager to get on board with the training.” Henry has taken three LI trainings: Internet Activist School in July 2001 based in Arlington, Virginia; the Grassroots Activist School in January 2012 based in Bozeman; and the April 2012 Grassroots Activist School in Missoula, Montana. He has also been trained since 2010 on LI's TeaPartyTraining.org website. “What I learned at LI was how to apply my public relations and marketing skills to specific candidates and issue campaigns,” Henry said. “I also learned specific techniques and tools I can apply to campaigns and organizational development.” LI offers training in 50 states and dozens of countries each year. Please go here to register for an already-scheduled training or contact LI to request training in your area. “You are the leaders in activist training,” Henry said to the Leadership Institute. “I hope to maintain and develop my relationship with LI for many years to come and perhaps serve as a trainer in my areas of expertise and passion—communications, public relations, and crisis management.” Henry joins more than 107,000 graduates trained by the Leadership Institute since 1979. “Thank you so much for the honor of featuring me as an LI Graduate of the Week,” Henry said. To nominate a Leadership Institute graduate to be featured as LI's graduate of the week, please contact LI's External Affairs Officer Lauren Hart at LaurenHart@LeadershipInstitute.org.

The Leadership Institute recently hosted 29 conservatives in a television training that focused on the necessary techniques to equip activists when working with the media. Attendees learned to techniques usable on TV broadcasts, in radio interviews, and in online forums. The training was led by Beverly Hallberg, founder and president of District Media Group, where she produces, directs, edits, and serves as a media trainer for news corporations. Over the course of the day, students learned what to do -- and not to do -- in TV appearances. Lectures ranged from wardrobe choices to nonverbal behaviors. Mike Wooten, a student at the training, is a veteran Marine running for an elected school board position in Prince William County, Virginia after an incumbent resigned. Wishing to improve the quality of education for the kids in his district, Mike will soon put his training to the test. He said the most important lesson he learned was the understanding of “how to give the media what they want by understanding the various formats” of broadcasting. Young Americans for Liberty intern Eric Phillips described the TV training as “Vital if you want to win for your philosophy,” which is an unintentional play off one of the Leadership Institute's paramount maxims. If you would like to attend a Leadership Institute TV training, please register online at www.LeadershipInstitute.org/training or contact Rachel Phillips to set up one-on-one, individualized training.

David Chang is a creator—a creator of products, services, strategy, and implementation. He is president and CEO of the following companies: GreenTech Pacific, a company selling energy efficient technologies; PowerH2O, a premium water bottle company; WealthBridge, Inc., a wealth and business management company that empowers individuals in their financial, investment, and retirement planning; WealthBridge Real Estate, development company acquiring a portfolio of properties; The Cabinet and Stone Factory, a residential and commercial remodeling and renovation construction firm; and Pacific West Import and Export, an import and export merchant company. But that's not all. He's also a commander for the Hawaii Army National Guard and previously an intelligence officer. To boot, David is a former pastor and ministry leader at his church. And since November, David has been elected to direct the strategy of the Republican Party in Hawaii. Two years before being elected chairman of the Hawaii GOP (Grand Old Party), David attended two Leadership Institute Activist Schools in Honolulu. “I was a first-time candidate and was very impressed with the depth of knowledge and experience that you offered. I remember the Leesburg Grid very well, and especially the fundraising tips and the best way to conduct grassroots operations,” David told the Leadership Institute. Though he lost his first election, it didn't keep David from running another campaign, and being a “creator” of opportunity. “The Leadership Institute provides a strong framework for starting your campaign or tightening up your operations,” David said. “The best candidates don't necessarily win, but the best campaign generally does. LI provided the structure I needed for a well-run campaign.” LI's October 2009 activists trainings, which David attended brought, more than 125 conservative political activists from Oahu, Maui, and the Big Island for a week-long series of grassroots training sessions designed to help attendees be more effective in communication, fundraising, and political organizing. Several attendees were current and former state elected officials, including candidates for the office of U.S. Congress and the Lt. Governor of Hawaii. Local business owners and the heads of several public policy organizations also attended. “It's great to see the conservatives we've trained take on leadership roles throughout the country and in Hawaii,” LI's Senior Director of Domestic and International Programs Robert Arnakis said. Hawaii Republican Party Executive Director Nacia Blom took the activist trainings in October 2009 when David did as well as LI's Broadcast Journalism School in November 2009 and Public Speaking Workshop in September 2010. In addition to David's business and political responsibilities, he's active in his community. He is on the board of directors for the Builders Industry Association of Hawaii and the Association of Christian Conferences and Teaching Services. He is the past chair for the Young Professional Program for the Chamber of Commerce and is a member of the Financial Planning Association, the Lion's Club International, The Rotary Club, and Toastmasters. David graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point with a B.S. in economics and computer science and went on to receive a M.A. in political science from the University of Hawaii and a master's degree in theological studies from Covenant Theological Seminary. “I highly recommend that anyone thinking of running for office, incumbents, or people wanting to help another candidate attend LI's workshops. It provides invaluable strategies and tips to run a strong campaign,” David said. LI offers training in all 50 states and dozens of countries each year. Please go here to register for an already-scheduled training or contact LI to request training in your area. David joins more than 107,000 graduates trained by the Leadership Institute since 1979. Please welcome him as LI's Graduate of the Week. To nominate a Leadership Institute graduate to be featured as LI's graduate of the week, please contact LI's External Affairs Officer Lauren Hart at LaurenHart@LeadershipInstitute.org. The Leadership Institute does not oppose or support any candidate, official, or legislation and all programs are open to the public.

On Wednesday, June 6, more than 100 Leadership Institute supporters, graduates, faculty, and staff welcomed South Carolina Congressman Joe Wilson to address June's Wednesday Wake-Up Club Breakfast. Rep. Wilson is no stranger to the Leadership Institute. He is a notable graduate of LI's 2002 and 2005 One-On-One Television Workshop as well as a member of LI's Congressional Advisory Board. “The Leadership Institute has made such a difference for our country giving young conservative the skills to go home and make a difference. And you [LI] are making a difference,” said Rep. Wilson. Rep. Wilson energized the crowd with his support of Governor Scott Walker in the wake of his victory, saying, “Walker's win should inspire political leaders across the country, and it does.” Rep. Wilson encouraged young people throughout the country to get involved in this fall's election. He went on to share how proud he is of American troops, including his sons, all of whom currently serve in the United States military. He also expressed his disappointment in the current President's actions against our military. “Our military has never been more at risk. They are facing an 8 to 12 percent cut. This is the smallest our military has been since 1939,” Rep. Wilson explained. He then added, “Our troops are so dedicated and so committed...I truly believe we have got the best troops. The personnel are the best ever.” “This fall we will regain victory,” Rep. Wilson said in an optimistic closing to his talk. “We are seeing changes in our lifetime we never could have imagined 25 years ago. Below is a photo of LI's Summer Interns with Rep. Wilson. The Leadership Institute's Wednesday Wake-Up Club Breakfast is held the first Wednesday of each month and is an excellent opportunity for friends of the Institute to meet leading conservative speakers and hear their thoughts on current affairs over good food and fellowship with conservative friends. The next Wednesday Wake-Up Club Breakfast is scheduled for August 1, 2012 and will feature Mallory Factor, President of MALLORY FACTOR INC. Mallory is also the founder and co-chair of The Monday Meeting, and a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. Click here for more information and to register.

College student Mark Ciavola is a political rock star. Mark's not only chairman of the College Republican Federation of Nevada and the student body president at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, but he's also the political director for the re-election campaign of Rep. Joe Heck (NV-03). If that isn't enough, he manages all this while being a full-time student. It's no wonder the Conservative Leadership Conference will name him “Conservative of the Year” this weekend in Las Vegas. “I'm honored to receive the award for my contributions to advancing conservative principles in Nevada,” Mark shared with the Leadership Institute. “It goes to show that anyone can make a difference if they get involved, work hard, stay focused, and follow through on their goals.” In 2009, Mark launched Right Pride, a conservative organization spreading a limited government and free market agenda within the gay community, which propelled him into politics. Shortly thereafter, Mark worked for the Republican National Committee's Victory Program and then onto Rep. Heck's campaign and leading College Republicans in Nevada and at his university. However, Mark's road to college and into politics wasn't without its challenges. “Like many others, I put college on hold to find a job and earn enough money to support myself. I spent about a dozen years in both restaurant management and sales management before deciding to go back to school to earn my degree in a field that I love: political science,” Mark said. “My first day of classes was the day of President Obama's inauguration. Since that time, I have worked as a field rep for the RNC's Victory Program and volunteer coordinator for Dr. Joe Heck's successful 2010 campaign for Congress.” His days are typically 12 to 14 hours, he says. “My days are spent hard at work preparing for the Nevada Republican Primary on June 12, and several of my evenings are spent interviewing candidates who will form our new team in student government on the heels of my ticket's election in April,” Mark said. Last year, when Mark served as president of the UNLV College Republicans, he “grew the organization from 50 members to 800, raised more than $31,000 without taking a single dime from the Republican Party or UNLV, and formed our state federation with the chapter at the University of Nevada.” It's really no wonder he's being recognized for his efforts. “I first learned of the Leadership Institute when I attended a training in Las Vegas,” Mark reflected. “Since that time I have attended numerous LI workshops, all of which have been extremely informative.” Mark has taken LI's Campus Elections Workshop in October 2011, Travel-Future Candidate School in June 2011, and the Internet Activist Workshop in June 2011. “I have made lifelong friendships and other relationships through the Leadership Institute, and have found it to be one of the most important and helpful organizations to those who wish to have a better understanding of leadership, activism, and political strategy,” Mark said. “I describe the Leadership Institute to others I know as a great resource for information, an incredible training tool, and a valuable network of individuals whose collective knowledge and experience help develop the future leaders of our nation,” Mark said. Mark joins more than 107,000 graduates trained by the Leadership Institute since 1979. Please welcome him as LI's Graduate of the Week. To nominate a Leadership Institute graduate to be featured as LI's graduate of the week, please contact LI's External Affairs Officer Lauren Hart at LaurenHart@LeadershipInstitute.org.