September 2, Arlington, VA—The Leadership Institute went out on the road again last weekend to train young conservatives at LI's flagship school, the Youth Leadership School, which advances political careers. Notable graduates of this training include: Senator Mitch McConnell; Iowa Governor Terry Branstad; Americans for Tax Reform President Grover Norquist; Americans for Prosperity President Tim Phillips; Senator Jim DeMint's Speechwriter Amanda Carpenter; and Karl Rove, senior advisor to President George W. Bush, among others.LI trained 31 students in Albuquerque and had three top graduates who exemplified superior performance and engagement throughout the training.Santa Barbara City College student Poornima Wagh said, “The training was fantastic, very informative, detailed, and gave the complete A to Z of political training in just two days.”Washington and Lee University recent graduate Jordy Stern “loved the special projects presentation and learning how to write a press release.”LI's Youth Leadership School Coordinator Meghan Swella said, “Lt. Governor John Sanchez gave a summary Saturday morning of why conservative leadership is so important.” Meghan was touched when “he shared how he and his siblings made shoes out of cardboard.” Lt. Governor Sanchez encouraged students to “lean right” in the group picture.Meghan has high hopes for the YLS students. “I hope students use what they learned to impact the 2012 elections, especially since New Mexico is a swing state,” Meghan said.High School Senior Arinea Salas said, “I plan to use this training by participating in a youth effort for the upcoming 2012 elections, specifically Senator Jeff Bingaman's seat.” Chairman of the New Mexico Federation of College Republicans Krystalynn Wilkins said she would describe her training experience to others by “telling them it's pretty much all you need to know about youth involvement in campaigns in one weekend.”Executive Director of the Bernalillo County Republican Party Charles McMillian said that this is “the best training around” and he plans to use it “win in New Mexico!”Interested in bringing the Youth Leadership School to your area? Visit our website for a list of our upcoming trainings or contact Meghan Swella to bring the Youth Leadership School to your area. >

August 10, 2011, Arlington, VA—“Washington was different than two years before—smaller, shaken, and less confident. America was different too—bigger and more confident with millions of Americans discovering their power as citizens and voters,” said Senator Jim DeMint in his new book, The Great American Awakening, recently released.DeMint's new book explains the significant ideological shift in Washington between the 2008 elections and the resurgence of conservatives in the 2010 elections. He interestingly attributes this shift to a spiritual and political awakening among the grassroots aimed at replacing “the foul, old Washington air.”Native of Greenville, South Carolina, Jim DeMint has served as a U.S. senator since 2004 and was elected chairman of the Senate Steering Committee in 2006. Recognized for consistently voting for reasonable tax and spending policies, DeMint is an acclaimed conservative leader and advocate for the grassroots movement.Throughout his book, DeMint recounts instance after instance of personally questioning the established policies, politicians, and principles. “The Washington establishment is driving our nation toward bankruptcy,” DeMint said. He explains that the continual spending and borrowing of the government is steadily burying our country under a “mountain of debt.”In Senator Marco Rubio's forward to DeMint's book, he agreed that “the Washington establishment [is] a powerful system of inertia that protects the status quo.”DeMint did not know if his view represented hundreds or millions of Americans, but he resolved to speak for the concerned, disillusioned, and alarmed freedom-lovers. “We have nothing to apologize for. We believe in personal responsibility, capitalism and free markets, Judeo-Christian values and, importantly, limited Constitutional government.”In a riveting and organized fashion, DeMint reveals the inner components of the Washington political structure and outlines the steps necessary to promulgate favorable change. He also harnesses the hope of “millions of Americans willing to stand and fight” at the grassroots level.A lot of the energy and impact present in the 2010 election originated from Tea Party activists and “owners of small businesses, lawyers, and teachers—patriotic people afraid that Washington politicians were bankrupting America.” DeMint described the Tea Party movement as a picture of how freedom works.In 2007 DeMint spoke at the Leadership Institute's Wednesday Wake-Up Club Breakfast where more than a hundred students, donors, alumni, and staff were present. “I spoke about the importance of the upcoming election and explained why I was working to elect conservative senators in several races.”He recounts in his book how a student reminded him to keep fighting the establishment and trust the power of principled people. “The students had a lot of questions, and many encouraged me to keep up the fight. But one student challenged me, ‘If you're supporting conservative candidates against establishment Republicans, why haven't you endorsed Rand Paul in Kentucky?'”When describing his unconventional decision to endorse Rand Paul as a candidate, DeMint mentioned that his talk at the Leadership Institute encouraged and challenged him to rely on the freedom-fighters—the people.“This book is more about the future than the past,” DeMint said. “It recounts how committed individuals can come together to change the course of our nation.”DeMint writes with a fervent hope that this awakening will persist and generate a return to conservative principles in upcoming elections. “Some people believe this movement will fizzle and die. I believe it will continue to grow and I hope this book will inspire more Americans to join this great awakening.”As DeMint draws on the hope of a continued great awakening originating in the grassroots, he relies on staff committed to the same principles and passion, some of whom LI has trained.“As a United States senator, I come across the Leadership Institute's graduates all the time…as key congressional staffers, as heads of conservative organizations, even as colleagues,” Senator DeMint said. “When I ran for U.S. Senate in 2004, a Leadership Institute graduate was my campaign manager and another organized students for me throughout South Carolina,” explained DeMint.Senator DeMint's current Senior Communications Advisor and Speechwriter Amanda Carpenter explained, “Without the Leadership Institute, I may have never gotten involved in the conservative movement…all the credit goes to the Leadership Institute. I can't thank Morton Blackwell enough.”Leadership Institute President Morton Blackwell endorses DeMint's book: “Senator Jim DeMint's new book, The Great American Awakening, is a must read for all conservatives striving to understand the significance of the newly active grassroots movement, in the 2010 election and going forward.”To purchase a copy of Senator DeMint's book, please go here.>

August 25, 2011, Arlington, VA—“Never miss a political meeting if you think there's the slightest chance you'll wish you'd been there,” the 22nd Law of Public Policy Process says. Well, this is no political meeting, but the Leadership Institute's happy hour September 6th and campaign training September 6-9 is something you won't want to miss. Mark your calendars now.LI is now offering the very best campaign training every month PLUS a happy hour with free drinks for the first 100 people. Mix and mingle with great folks and get trained by the rockstars from the conservative movement all in the same week!“We are very excited to offer our campaign trainings the first full week of every month,” said LI's Director of Political & New Media Training Tyler Foote. Each month the Institute will offer either the Campaign Management School or the Future Candidate School.“By increasing the frequency of these trainings,” Tyler said, “we are able to expose more conservative activists to the strategies and techniques needed to raise their level of effectiveness in the public policy process.”Join the Leadership Institute at a happy hour Tuesday, September 6th from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. at the Clarendon Grill, located on the first floor of LI's headquarters at 1101 North Highland Street, Arlington, Virginia -- just steps from the Clarendon metro stop.Come network with LI faculty, staff and alum. Jobseekers - bring your résumé for a free consultation from one of our experts from ConservativeJobs.com, the Leadership Institute's one-stop shop for conservative jobseekers and employers.The first 100 guests to arrive will receive a ticket for a free drink! Happy Hour Specials:• Miller Lite Draft/Bottle - $1.75• Bud Light Draft/Bottle - $1.75• Coors Light Bottle - $1.75• Bud Bottle - $1.75• Yuengling Draft - $2.75• Heineken/Heineken Light - $3.00• Corona/Corona Light - $3.00• ½ Price Bottles of WineRSVP for the Happy Hour by Monday, September 5th or call Courtney Trollinger at 703-247-2000.The upcoming Campaign Management School provides campaign managers and staff with the tools and information necessary to manage a winning campaign with a strong grassroots organization and an effective media strategy. You will learn how to: • Write a campaign plan • Develop campaign strategy • Target and identify voters • Manage grassroots outreach • Raise fundsTo register for the very best campaign training September 6-9th please click here.We look forward to talking with you over drinks about the exciting, conservative politics!>

Let's face it, organizations need fundraisers. They need folks to write, ask, research, and plan events. Every day job listings for Directors of Development, Outside Membership Sales, Online Membership Coordinators, Directors of Major Gifts, Development Associates, and Interns are posted. While development jobs are plentiful these days, the fundraising field is competitive and only the strongest prevail. Like you, many job hunters are actively seeking a development position in the fundraising world. To set yourself apart from the competition, it is important to be armed with the political technology needed to stand out above the rest, and the Leadership Institute's High-Dollar Fundraising School can help.Hundreds of our nation's top fundraisers have attended the Leadership Institute's High Dollar Fundraising School. During this intensive two-day training you will learn keys to conducting effective fundraising events, why people give you money, tips to organize your development department, how to raise funds through personal solicitation, the nuts & bolts of private grant proposals, how to raise large donations from annuities, donated assets, and bequests, and much more! The next High Dollar Fundraising School will be held on September 12-13 at Leadership Institute headquarters in Arlington, VA. Registration for this class usually costs $150, but for ConservativeJobs.com users, it's only $60 when you use the promotion code HDFSCJ. For only $60 you will learn the ins and outs of development and fundraising from our expert faculty, enhance your resume, and expand your network. Meals, lodging, and all course materials are covered in the school cost. While lodging in our Leadership Institute dormitory is free, space is limited so make sure to register today!As an added bonus, when you register for the Leadership Institute's High-Dollar Fundraising School you are admitted FREE into our Online Fundraising Workshop the evening of September 12th! This live lecture will teach you how to develop an online fundraising strategy and utilize a diverse set of tools and media.Don't miss this incredible opportunity to learn from fundraising professionals and hone your development skills! Register today!>

Many fresh-faced ideological young Republicans and Democrats make the big move to Washington, D.C. with grand dreams of working for their Member of Congress, only to find it's pretty hard to break in on the Hill. Most offices want you to intern for little or no pay for weeks before possibly being offered a position. And if nothing opens up, then you're tasked with networking your way to a Staff Assistant or Legislative Correspondent job somewhere else. Maybe. But perhaps the Hill isn't for you. Admittedly, it's something I thought I wanted to do last year after finishing work on a campaign, but it takes a different kind of person to work in Congress. For instance, I'm a little more opinionated and a little too idealistic to work in an office for a Member who has an “R” or “D” next to their name. While I tend to vote for candidates of one Party over another, I'm hesitant to carry their water, especially if I disagree with the policy. And believe me, I disagree a lot. But what are the other options? There are countless associations, nonprofits, advocacy organizations, and other places for prospective young jobseekers, and turnover is sometimes pretty high. People move on or move up frequently. Use resources like ConservativeJobs, Brad Traverse, the Heritage Job bank, and others to find work. And most importantly, network and develop contacts. Being successful in Washington – on or off the Hill – requires a tremendous level of networking. And certainly don't think the Hill is your only option. I've worked in three different jobs since I moved to Washington: the nonprofit sector, a political campaign, and now in the private sector. I love the hours and the work. There is no shortage of opportunities here. While many people move to Washington to work on the Hill for a Member of Congress, there are countless other political and government careers in D.C.>

August 5, 2011, Arlington, VA— “Be a resource,” Jim Eltringham, vice president of Advocacy Group, Inc, said. “You will always go back to your resources, so mind your media manners!”Students learned how to develop media manners this week at the Leadership Institute's Advanced Public Relations School. Constructing appropriate responses in crises situations, writing effective press releases, conducting informative interviews, and holding focused press conferences were among the many topics addressed by expert faculty.LI Faculty member Ian Ivey, program expert at General Services Administration, shared tips for helpful argumentation. “No matter how brilliant the response, if you are slow on uptake, your communications strategy will fail.”“Timing is the most important aspect,” Ian continued, “you must have targeted and emotional communication, while getting it out fast enough to be effective. You must get your message out before it's framed.”For LI student Sam Sheetz who works in U.S. Representative Sam Johnson's office, the most important skill gained was “learning how to perform under pressure and answer tough questions.”Peter Smith, another student at this week's Advanced PR School, summed up his experience: “It's a fun, educational experience with value regardless of the profession; it opens your eyes to new perspectives and helps develop new skills. The school is a valuable resource.”Ian discussed strategies to assess numerous “plays” enacted in public relations, both good and bad. Students interacted with the faculty members to determine specific PR techniques in proposed situations.“Just because you run a play doesn't mean it will work,” Ian warned. “Even if you know what the play is.”LI student Jennifer Lundy, project assistant at Areva Enrichment Services, described the training as “a great place to learn, to network, and to advance the conservative movement in many aspects of your life.” She plans to use her newly acquired skills in “future campaign or political opportunities to shape the message and win.”Vice President of Advocacy Group Inc. and former LI staffer Jim Eltringham communicated the four critical “R's” when dealing with the media: relationship, response, respect, and resource. In order to attain all four, “you must get your foot in the door and make it easy for a reporter to pay attention to you,” Jim explained. “Boil complex issues down so they can be understood quickly.”Jim urged students to “argue factually and pointedly and to never assume yourself off the record.”In order to apply the many media techniques addressed, Erik Hower at AT&T and Eric Slee of the DCI Group held a mock press conference. Students divided into teams and prepared remarks to present in front of “reporters.” Challenging questions were encouraged and all participants received valuable feedback on their comments.Bryan Fuentes of Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society said, “I learn something new every time I attend the Leadership Institute.”You too can learn new techniques in communication and other areas. Check out LI's upcoming trainings here to register early and receive a discount. >

August 4, 2011, Arlington, VA— “We must recognize that there is a difference between compromise and losing,” explained Grover Norquist, president of Americans for Tax Reform (ATR), to the Leadership Institute's Wednesday Wake-Up Club Breakfast attendees yesterday. “We slowed the march toward statism and are moving in the right direction.”A crowd of 86 conservatives filled LI yesterday morning to hear from the acclaimed tax reform promoter. Grover discussed the nature of the current fiscal crisis as well as his organization's role in promoting limited government through the Taxpayer Protection Pledge.By way of a written commitment candidates and elected officials in federal and state offices pledge to oppose all tax increases. “The pledge makes possible elected official credibility,” said Grover. “Voters know who they are voting for when candidates put their promises in writing.” The pledge has been signed by all but six GOP leaders in the U.S. House and seven in the U.S. Senate, according to the ATR website. Two-hundred and thirty-six U.S. representatives and 41 senators have made a written commitment to not raise taxes on the American people. Their website also reports that more than 1,263 state legislators have signed the pledge, including: 13 governors, 5 lieutenant governors, 4 attorney generals, 3 secretaries of state, 3 treasurers, 1 auditor, and 1 board of equalization member.Conservatives are united against expansive government spending and in favor of individual responsibility. “It is not necessary for all to agree on what to do with liberty, but it is necessary that we all have liberty. Politically we are on the same page,” Grover said.“The tea party is a visible part of the conservative movement and they care about spending. It acts as a hammer that says, ‘Don't spend too much.' It has effectively made spending a vote moving issue and acts as a mechanism for reigning in government spending.”With increased pressure from grassroots conservatives in holding candidates and elected officials' feet to the fire, Washington is on the path to responsible spending, despite minor setbacks, Grover said.He is hopeful about this new direction. Although the fiscal situation is far from ideal, “taxes have not been increased,” Grover said, “and the nation saw dollar for dollar spending cuts for every raise in the debt ceiling.”“If one side is moving East and the other West, there is no room for compromise,” Grover noted, “however, if we're moving, someone's winning and we just won—two and a half trillion dollars are off the table.”Grover affirmed that the country has taken a step in the right direction. “This is a small battle—it was only the first budget cut, not the last. It set the rules for the fight and will make it easier to win.”The next Wake-Up Club Breakfast scheduled for September 7th will host Dr. Edwin J. Feulner, president of the Heritage Foundation. For more information and to RSVP, please go here. >

August 3, 2011—Arlington, VA—Want to promote conservative principles and make some extra money on the side?Submit a blog post to the Leadership Institute's CampusReform.org's Contributing Writer Program! This is a great way to build your resume, get published, and strengthen your writing skills.For each post that receives 150 unique hits or more within 24 hours of publication, Campus Reform will give you $30! Up to 10 prizes per week will be awarded for a 10 week period. The official start date is Sunday, September 4, 2011.Requirements:• You must be a registered student.• You must be a registered user of CampusReform.org.• Blogs should be in line with Campus Reform's general mission and promote conservative values.• The post must contain original content.To submit your post, write it on CampusReform.org and post it to the appropriate college sub-site. After saving and posting your blog, send the URL to Brittney Morrett.In the e-mail please include your name, school, and class year. Put "Contributing Writer Program Submission" in the subject line. For more information on the program, or how to get involved in conservative activism on your campus, contact your Regional Field Coordinator!>

Jobseekers are constantly coming to me asking for advice on how to launch a career on Capitol Hill. And I always tell them something they don't want to hear...take an internship. Even if it's unpaid. In almost every job description I see for a Hill staffer position (even the entry-level ones) Hill experience is required. Understanding of how Capitol Hill operates is more important to many offices than state ties are. So how do you get the all-important experience? Intern. I understand that many jobseekers can't afford to take unpaid internships, but that does not change the fact that Hill experience is almost always required for paid positions. And if a jobseeker is truly passionate about and committed to working for a Member of Congress, they should be prepared to intern for free and work a second job to pay the bills. Many veteran Hill staffers got their start interning while waiting tables, bartending or working at a department store. They truly wanted their dream job and worked hard to get it. They paid their dues and are now Legislative Directors or Chiefs of Staff. If those are titles you want someday, consider an internship. Many offices are flexible with hours, especially if the internship is unpaid, so a second job should be reasonable.And once you do obtain that internship, make the most of it. Be a diligent, hardworking member of the team. Network as much as possible. Make friends in other offices. Schedule meetings with veteran staffers. Send your resume to hiring managers of Members with whom you'd like a full time position . Go to meetings. Attend trainings. Turn the internship into your stepping stone to a staff position. Many offices are looking for Fall interns. Check out all the listings on ConservativeJobs.com and take the first steps toward your career on Capitol Hill.>

July 21, 2011, Arlington, VA—Efficient social media, impactful journalism, conservative media trends, and relevant Op-Eds, press releases, and media advisories are all essential aspects of effective communication. At this week's largest-ever Leadership Institute Written Communications Workshop students learned how to acquire and apply these very tools in public policy.LI welcomed more than 114 current and aspiring political writers who had the pleasure of learning from expert faculty such as Lindsey Mask, communications director for Congressman McKeon; Amanda Carpenter, senior communications advisor for Senator DeMint; American Conservative Union CPAC Director Christopher Malagisi; and others.“LI provided me with training to improve my ability to communicate with our company leaders on a daily basis,” commented Scott McGeary, attorney and area manager at Washington Gas.Former LI staffer and the Daily Caller's Senior Contributor Matt Lewis spoke on the conservative media landscape and current trends.“Everyone has an opinion; everybody owns a megaphone and a ‘printing press'. You are competing against all who can press ‘print now,” Lewis said, referring to the waning practice of blogging and the movement from strictly opinion pieces to both opinion and fact-based writing. “People are looking for new information and substantial content: find your niche.”Lewis also exhorted students to be relevant and timely. “Be accurate, fair, and credible—and get it done five minutes ago! Timeliness in writing is so important—three or four minutes often make the difference. Be fast, accurate, and beat the other guy to the punch, but never sacrifice accuracy for speed.”Dan Graham, principle of Graham Associates, shared the importance of audience analysis, avoidance of logical errors in sentence structure, elimination of “deadwood” or ambivalent words, and comprehension and improvement of readability.Dan shared hints for capturing and holding the audience's attention: “The better you know someone, the better you can tell them what you do; present tense is conducive, as opposed to speculative future tense; when writing in the passive voice, you have readers guessing wrong.”Christopher Malagisi, director of the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) of the American Conservative Union, outlined the elements of an effective op-ed and Communications Director Lindsey Mask touched on the basic components and variance of successful press releases and media advisories.“The best writers are those who niche themselves in one or two specific areas,” Chris said. “A lot of people in politics are generalists—what is one unique thing that can set you apart? You may want to weigh in on the national political environment, but you are an expert on what is going on in your community.”Students enjoyed interacting with each other and faculty members, while gaining valuable insights into the current political writing scene. Areva Enrichment Services Project Assistant Jennifer Lundy described the training as “a great way to learn and network with fellow conservatives.”Intern Brianna Walden of the Family Research Council said, “Many concepts that I had floating around in my head were really defined and nailed down at this workshop. My biggest take-away: develop your own niche.”Brianna summarized her experience: “The Leadership Institute offers thorough and enlightening training sessions and the Written Communications Workshop was no exception. I gained practical tools that will help me throughout life whether I enter a career in communications or not.”She went onto conclude: “I am now better equipped to market myself online and have gained the tools to help my writing in everyday life.”Please click here to register for an upcoming LI training. >

Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:.5in; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Book Antiqua","serif";} We've given you advice on the resume, networking, preparing for the job hunt, and extreme makeovers for the interview. The next step: The actual interview! That can be the most nerve wracking experience in the whole job search process. No longer are you able to hide behind your resume, your computer, or even the phone. Your true colors are now going to be exposed and your potential future employer is about to see your real personality. Scared? DON'T BE!!! I'm about to give you some tips to make sure you have a successful interview that can help you land your dream job!1. Treat every meeting with anyone as a potential interview. You never know who is watching you!2. Dress properly. Look professional. A neutral colored business suit (navy blue or gray are best), with a nice white shirt, a nice pair of shoes (ladies, don't wear a super tall heel), hair out of your face, no over-the-top accessories (ladies, if you must wear earrings, wear a small pair of studs). You don't want your outfit talking for you. You want your words to be talking for you!3. Be slightly early. 5-7 minutes early is a good time frame. You NEVER want to be late! Don't be too early either. Be respectful of the interviewer's time.4. Have a firm handshake. One of my biggest pet peeves in life is when someone has a weak, limp noodle hand shake. You don't want to over-power or squeeze anyone's hand, but you do want to show that you have confidence in yourself.5. Maintain eye contact. When you can look someone in the eyes it shows that you respect them and have a healthy self respect.6. Turn off your phone before you even walk in the building. Enough said.7. Know what job you are interviewing for. Find out as much information as you can before you even walk into the office.8. Be friendly and cordial. The employer is taking time out his/her day to dedicate to you. They are also seeing if you can work well with others. Always have a positive attitude!9. Send a follow up thank you note RIGHT AFTER THE INTERVIEW! That will make you stand out among other job seekers.These are just a few tips, but they are very important. If you want to land your dream job, it is important to be as prepared as possible and be confident! >

This Independence Day more than 800 conservatives joined many sponsoring organizations to celebrate freedom, family, friends, faith, and good food at the 40th National Conservative Fourth of July Soiree.Guests enjoyed an array of homemade desserts and barbeque as well as good conversation with current and future political leaders, such as Virginia's Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli.While adults listened to speakers and competed in the National Conservative Fourth of July Soiree Quiz, children enjoying a variety of activities at the Kid's Tent. Children got the thrill of playing with goats and chickens at the petting zoo, jumping on the giant moon bounce, having their face painted, participating in field games as well as arts & crafts, and licking snow cones and munching on popcorn.Morton Blackwell, president of the Leadership Institute, welcomed many local candidates to share their ideas on preserving our country's principles, while offering voters the opportunity to connect with their prospective political leaders. Speakers ranged from those running for U.S. Senate and House positions, to those pursuing state senate and delegate spots.After hearing briefly from candidates Morton announced the keynote speaker Ken Cuccinelli. The attorney general was greeted with enthusiastic applause and pleased the crowd. He spoke about the disregard for the rule of law in specific cases, such as in the healthcare bill. By lending insights taken from years of personal experience, the attorney general stressed the need for conservatives to take action.The entire event was possible through the support of Soiree sponsors. Sponsors include:• 60 Plus Association• Americans for Prosperity Foundation• Being American• Citizens United• Eberle Associates• Fairfax Christian School• Government is Not God (Religious Freedom Coalition)• Gun Owners of America• The Heritage Foundation• Let Freedom Ring• Morgan, Meredith & Associates• National Rifle Association - ILA• National Right to Work• Reagan Institute• Robertson School of Government• Stephen Clouse & Associates• Tea Party Review Magazine• The Conservative Caucus, Inc.• TriMark Corporation• Young Americans for Liberty• Young America's Foundation• Youth for Western CivilizationThank you to all who came out and celebrated the birth of our exceptional nation, and please plan ahead to celebrate with us next July 4th. We invite you to continue partnering with us as we train conservative leaders so that together we can promote the freedoms celebrated this Independence Day. >

There are so many job sites out there that are designed to assist you in your job search. But how many of them really work to match you with your perfect dream job? Stephanie Freedman, former LI intern and ConservativeJobs.com user, found her dream job with the help of Andrea McCarthy and ConservativeJobs.com. Here is an interview that I had with Stephanie to talk about her success as a job seeker. 1. For which organization do you work?I work at the Independent Institute. We are a policy think tank that works with 10 senior fellows to research the different political issues and produce tangible published works (op eds, books). We publish everything at the company, and promote the new development. 2. What is your current position?I am the Publicity Coordinator in the communications department. I am responsible for tracking media and where the seniors have been placed, post successes on the website and social media. I work with scholars and supervisors to edit pieces and reach out to the media outlets and tell everyone what's happening at the organization. I handle a lot of media calls and media relations.3. How did you find out about the job?I heard about the job through the Employment Placement Services (EPS) at The Leadership Institute (LI). I was searching for jobs for the website and came across it. I posted it on CJ.com, and then applied. Andrea assisted me in the research I needed and did a follow up call on my behalf. It was Andrea's follow up call that assisted in moving my resume to the top and eventually led to the employment.4. Did Andrea refer you?Yes.5. Did Andrea help you with your resume?Absolutely. We started working on my resume toward the middle of the internship. We sat down and Andrea helped assess my resume and strengths that I have. She had me read What Color is Your Parachute? by Richard Nelson Bolles and fill out the job flower which gave me different things to assess for my professional skills. Andrea walked through the whole job hunting process with me.6. How did having a ConservativeJobs.com profile assist in the process of locating a job?The website is very helpful. Seekers are able to search in the key words, titles, and areas in which they are looking. Seekers are able to sift through the jobs. The design of ConservativeJobs.com gives you the ability to fill out a good portion about yourself. The website also allows the employers to see even more about you than just receiving a resume. 7. What were the different steps of the interview process that you went through?I first had a short phone interview right after the internship, and I talked with my now direct supervisor. I was offered an in person interview where I sat down with the Communications Director and VP. They asked me about my background with LI, education, policy questions, etc. The interview was roughly 4 or 5 hours long. Finally, I sat down with the COL of the organization, followed by the President, and talked a lot about public policy. I was offered the job four or five days later. 8. How do you like your job?I love my job. It was a very good match. Andrea really listened to what my interests are. I wanted to be able to use both my degrees as well as be back in Northern California near my family. I'm very blessed to be here. Andrea and ConservativeJobs.com played a large role in my placement. 9. What is your favorite aspect of the job?I'm really enjoying being able to see what's going in the country and the world, and being able to correlate the work that we do with everything that is going on. 10. Do you think you would have discovered this job if it weren't for conservativejobs.com?No. I don't think I would have found the job if it wasn't for LI. If it wasn't for CJ and being under Andrea's wing I wouldn't have even known where to look. The website really helped streamline what I wanted.11. What advice do you have for job seekers using ConservativeJobs.com? About their profile? About their resumes? About using EPS?Genuinely assess everything you have done. Don't make your resume fit the cookie cutter. Make sure there are things on there that make you stand out, whatever that may be. You have to have the skill set, but it's the extra activity that does make you stand out. Understand the strengths you possess that make you stand out. Do the research; make sure you have the proper background for which they are looking. Reach out to whoever you can. (Hmmm networking really is important!) 12. Do you and would you recommend conservativejobs.com to other job seekers?I would definitely recommend it! It not only provides a large array of jobs, but it also gives you a full staff and support system around you. Andrea reaches out to everyone on the site, and takes the person's needs and matches them with their dream job. So there you have it. A real life story, with real positive results. Please do not hesitate to contact Andrea McCarthy. She really has a heart for helping people. Good luck on your job searching! >

July 6, 2011, Arlington, VA— “We either save America or we don't—there is no compromise halfway,” American Conservative Union Chairman Al Cardenas said to a committed crowd of conservatives at the Leadership Institute's Wednesday's Wake-Up Club Breakfast this morning.There is a tremendous need for conservative leaders to rise up and defend the framework of principles instituted by the founders. The Leadership Institute, Cardenas remarked, does just that.“I love the Leadership Institute and have more respect than you'll ever know for Morton Blackwell. [LI] is comprised of great patriots who want to save America and keep it great. I am truly honored to speak here and am delighted to have this opportunity.”Chairman Cardenas said, “There are in reality two Americas. One is to the left and one to the right.” The America to the left abides under the umbrella of “live and let live,” meaning that essentially, this generation is living off money rightfully belonging to its children and grandchildren. “Social conditions are no longer in play. There is a new world where government deals irresponsibly.”In opposition to this ideology is the America to the right—an advocate of traditional values, sensible spending, fair taxes, and limited government.Al acknowledged that many conservatives understand the reality of our divided nation, yet they hesitate to take action. The problem, he explained, is that “leaders lack will and courage. You cannot save a country without taking medicine—righting the wrongs that have been made.”“The task at hand is too great for us to stand by,” Al stressed. “I wish for the day when we truly have cut and capped spending and are less dependent on foreign energy sources.” Resolve rests in restoring the fabric of society—family and the Judeo-Christian tradition, as well as cut, cap, and balance in government spending.To see the full speech, please click here.LI'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 August 3, 2011. The guest speaker will be Dr. Matthew Spalding, director of the B. Kenneth Simon Center for American Studies at the Heritage Foundation. >

June 30, 2011, Arlington, VA— The Media Research Center has released Part 4 of a four part series of articles on George Soros: Nearly 30 Soros-funded Media Operations Part of 'War on Fox. The other studies released by the Media Research Center exposing George Soros include:Part 1: Over 30 Major News Organizations Linked to George SorosPart 2: Soros Spends Over $48 Million Funding Media OrganizationsPart 3: Soros-Funded Lefty Media Reach More Than 300 Million Every MonthThe information in these articles is part of an upcoming report by the Media Research Center's Business & Media Institute which has been looking into George Soros and his influence on the media.For more information, please contact Dan Gainor at the Media Research Center at DGainor@mrc.org or 703-683-9733, ext 143. >

June 27, 2011, Arlington, VA— Next week from July 2-8 the Leadership Institute's international programs department will go again to Mongolia to train around 500 key leaders in government, politics, and business, as well as those seeking public office and those who will run and contribute in the next presidential campaign.The Leadership Institute has currently trained more than 1,000 key Mongolian leaders in Arlington, Virginia, USA and in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.Leadership Institute International Programs Consultant Torey Hall met with Mongolia's President Tsakhia Elbegdorj last week when he was in town for meetings with President Obama and several conservative organizations. Mr. Elbegdorj was overjoyed that Mongolia has established democracy after 65 years of a communist government. “We will build a strong relationship with the USA and emulate President Ronald Reagan," President Elbegdorj said.President Elbegdorj, accompanied by his personal advisor and LI Graduate Mrs. Battsetseg Shagdar, was very happy to see LI's Torey Hall. He expressed great enthusiasm and thanked LI for training those who ran his political campaign, as well as other Mongolian business leaders and social entrepreneurs.LI's Director of International Programs Miguel Moreno and three other LI international speakers will address several audiences of key Mongolian leaders in the capital Ulaanbaatar next week. >

June 23, 2011, Arlington, VA— Conveying a message is more than the simple articulation of ideas; it involves stylistic and intentional verbiage, appropriate hand gestures and body movements, and a correct understanding of the audience. Last week, 15 students learned how to relay an effective message through persuasive delivery at the Leadership Institute's Public Speaking Workshop.Roncalli Communications President Dr. John Shosky discussed the importance of crafting goals for a speech based on the message and audience. “I know that I benefited greatly from Dr. Shoskey's discussion on the substance of a good speech,” remarked student Andrew Patterson from Monroeville, Pennsylvania.Ian Ivey, program expert for General Services Administration, taught four roles imperative to becoming an excellent presenter. “You must be an expert, an owner, a performer, and a teacher through preparation and practice.”Accompanied by energetic gestures and exclamations, Ian shared various tips for effective communication: “Know 10 times what you'll tell them; write good transitions that effectively relate things to one another; when your mouth is moving, you're looking at someone's eyes; intent is not result.”Student Caitlin Byrd, assistant policy analyst at the National Tax Payers Union Foundation, said, “Both speakers were unique and had different deliveries, but were equally effective and very influential.”Andrew summed up his experience at the workshop. “The Leadership Institute's Public Speaking Workshop provides public speaking tools that can be used by both the amateur and veteran presenter.”To learn how to receive this training and others, please click here. >

June 20, 2011, Arlington, VA—Michele Kirk, a former tax reform activist turned political consultant and BizPac Review's Associate Editor, is the Leadership Institute's Graduate of the Week. Michele is the proud mother of three boys, one who serves honorably as a United States Marine. She and her husband, Chris, have been small business owners in Palm Beach County, Florida for more than ten years.Michele has attended three LI trainings—Activist and Campaign School in February, Youth Leadership School in March, and the intensive week-long Campaign Management School in May.In an article for the Bizpac Review, a conservative news website, Leadership Institute graduate Michele Kirk praised LI training declaring, “This is how we win!” Having just attended the Campaign Management School, she wrote “my recent discovery of the school feels like the uncovering of a massive buried treasure.”To read the complete article from the BizPac Review please click here.Interested in learning the skills Michele praised? Click here for the LI Training calendarThe Leadership Institute recognizes Michele for her work as an activist and thanks her for sharing her LI experience with BizPac Review readers. >

June 17, 2011, Arlington, VA- Last week, the Leadership Institute welcomed over 122 DC-area summer interns to the Conservative Intern Workshop. Representing numerous states and organizations, interns enthusiastically engaged in discussions with speakers and networked with each other throughout the intensive, day-long event.Topics ranged from learning how to navigate DC and making the most of an internship, to constructing an effective resume and building a valuable network.“Become an unforgettable asset,” said Steve Sutton, vice president of development at LI. “You want to be the ‘go to' guy. Show initiative and do more than the minimum.”Sutton encouraged interns to “press the advantage by always doing the job of the person ahead of you. If you want the job, do the job. And, never say no for someone else.”Students also learned how to translate first impressions into lasting impressions. Brian Bernys, national field director at LI, explained that manners are the hallmark of profession presence and that there is no end to making first impressions.“You need 60 seconds of information to position who you are, why you're important, and why people should remember you. Know yourself through self-assessment.”Andrea McCarthy, director of employment placement services at LI, shared tips on how to get your resume noticed. Student Bennet Opitz, intern of the American Legislative Exchange Council, described the training as “a great learning experience. I learned a lot about constructing a resume and forming it to fit my future career path.”The workshop concluded with CPAC Director Chris Malagisi of the American Conservative Union instructing interns that networking is not only helpful, it is critical. “Networking today equals opportunities tomorrow; it is an investment in your future.”Malagisi emphasized that following up on connections is the most important aspect in building an effective network. “In politics, most opportunities result from a single independent human being. The follow up can make or break a network.”“The networking talk was especially good because it shared how to take advantage of more opportunities while in DC. It really matters who you know,” commented Kevin Schafer, intern of the National Republican Senatorial Committee.This year's annual workshop was the largest yet. Students enjoyed the energy, relevance, and interactive nature of the speakers. Intern Stephanie Jaczkowski of the National Taxpayer's Union summed up her experience: “This was nothing like any other workshop I've been to. The speakers were respected professionals and captivatingly witty. It exceeded my expectations a hundredfold!” >

If you've attended any of my resume workshops, you have heard me say repeatedly, ‘demonstration of excellent writing skills is critical to landing your dream job.' Especially if that dream job happens to be on Capitol Hill. But really, recruiters everywhere are looking for qualified candidates who know how to write, regardless of the position. Managers make it very clear to us that they do not have time to be someone's editor-in-chief (unless that's actually their job), so they ask us to find competent writers. And not only people who can string words together properly and use punctuation when and where needed, but people who can turn around and use different channels to get their writing in front of the reading public. Jobseekers who not only write well but effectively use new media outlets, write press releases and op eds, and understand what a media advisory is and how to use it are absolutely golden to recruiters and hiring managers.So how do you achieve this golden status I'm talking about? Start with the Leadership Institute's newly revamped Written Communications Workshop on July 19-20. At this two-evening workshop, you will learn the different professional writing techniques for publication, critical grammar and usage skills (so very important!), what a good press release or media advisory looks like, and how to use new media to get your work noticed. Jobseekers really shouldn't miss this training! We're bringing in conservative heavy hitters such as Matt Lewis, Lindsey Mask, and Amanda Carpenter to help you find your inner writing guru.The class runs from 5:30-10 pm each evening. Mention this blog when you call to register, and you may even receive a discount off the already reduced price of $40. Dinner and class materials are included. I hope to see you there..and to see this class listed under additional trainings on your resume!>