We have always heard, “It's not what you know, it's who you know.” But how many of us have really thought about the legitimacy of that statement? Throughout our years of schooling, we have been trained to believe that our education is the most important asset in our future careers. We are never taught to connect with other students or adults, especially while in high school. Since being in DC this summer, I have realized just how important it is to network, especially if you want to eventually work in politics. And even if you don't want to pursue a career in politics, you will be amazed at how people have connections to prominent businessmen and women all around the nation. So, why is networking important? The obvious reason is it can help you get a job. But it goes deeper than that. You never know how the person you meet today will help you tomorrow. From helping you secure a job, to helping you find a good physician in your new place of residence, to giving you a ride at 3:00 AM, your network will always have something great to offer you. How do you network? Christopher Malagisi, the director of CPAC, is the master networker. He has developed a fool-proof process of networking that is guaranteed to help any person who is struggling with meeting people to become one of the greatest networkers around. First step, develop a game plan. What are you trying to accomplish? Where do you want and need to be in order to meet people? Who do you need to meet? These are questions that are very personal for each person. One person may want to meet fellow interns at the Young Republicans meeting every other Tuesday in order to make more friends for the summer. Another person may want to meet prominent political activists at the Heritage Foundation every Friday night in order to get a job in the future. Whatever the reason behind your desire to network might be, develop a game plan. Even if you are just interested in making friends, that's fine! Meet different people, and get introduced to even more people. You never know if these people will be helping you in the future.Second step of networking: Make contact! You have 30 seconds to make a good first impression. Utilize those 30 seconds to not only make the conversation about you, but figure out who the person is and how you can connect with them on a more personal level. When you make someone else feel important, they will be more willing to open up to you and establish a great connection. Some tips for making contact: #1 Network by Sector (Capitol Hill, Think Thanks, Media, Government). #2 Develop a goal (I will get 5 business cards tonight, and I will set up lunch meetings with each of those 5 people). #3 Write the day, the place, and a couple interesting facts about the person that can help you in the future. (I met a lady in church the other day, through another person in my network, and I wrote on the back of her card where I met her, where she works, and what day I met her. And after meeting with her, I will include a couple more notes that will help me make a stronger connection with her in the future).A really impressive and important date I would try to obtain when networking is the other's birthday. Use that date to call them, email them, or send them a birthday card! They won't expect it, and you will stand out! The last step to networking is the follow up. The first thing you do when you get home that night, or into your office the next morning, is add your new contacts to your address book. You can maintain your contacts in Outlook, Gmail, an Excel spreadsheet, or an old fashioned rolodex. Make sure you include their name, number, email, address as applicable, and a couple notes you can use in the future. Email your new contact within 48 HOURS of meeting them. If you met someone who is very prominent and can help you beyond what you can expect (VPs of a company, a well-known activist, etc.) write them a personal note that you can send in the mail. People always love receiving personal mail, and you will stand out beyond the hundreds of other people they meet on a daily basis. Definitely write a “Thank You” letter after the follow up interview/meeting! So, now you are equipped to get out there and start networking and making great connections! Your DC internship, your job search, and your overall relationship building is about to get better! Just use these tips, and you will be on your way to a building a successful and strong network! >

June 14, 2011, Arlington, VA—In a society where technology relays messages in a matter of seconds, it is critical to actively control and structure the political images portrayed. “Your message is what your image is,” explained Blain Rethmeier, senior vice president of public affairs at the American Insurance Association, to an eager crowd of close to 40 students at the Leadership Institute's three-night Public Relations School. “You must mold your digital footprint.”For Jennifer Lundy of Areva Enrichment Services, efficiently managing social media is becoming increasingly important. “I have worked in politics a lot, but not in social media and crisis management. This school gave me a better outlook on social media and showed me what can be done better in a crisis situation.”As Lindsay Mask, communications director for Congressman Howard P. McKeon, said, “Perception is reality and crises management is critical—come out fast and clean, short and sweet.” She went on to conclude that “the minute something happens, technology won't hide it.”Students also learned the importance of utilizing social media professionally. “Social media does not change the business process or the organization's goals; it allows follow-up, awareness of what people are saying, and the ability to respond immediately,” said Abigail Alger, director of digital communications at LI.“Learning ways to track traffic and better use Facebook and Twitter was helpful and new to me. Also, it was good to learn how to better use the information on these sites,” explained Heather Rameau of the Inspector General's office.The practical and informative nature of the talks resonated with many. “Hearing an actual press secretary apply concepts to real life circumstances made everything more relevant,” commented student Grant Miller. “The quality of the presenters was unparalleled and their willingness to engage and assist students in their professional pursuits is exemplary.” >

Internships are the best way to get introduced to a professional job setting. One is able to learn proper business etiquette and protocol. An internship helps one realize what is and is not acceptable in an office setting without the fear of being dismissed for one minor fault. Internships are filled with great learning experiences. You might wonder, “When is the right time to start applying for and accepting internships?” Speaking from personal experience, the summer right after your freshman year of college is the best time to start interning. Employers are really impressed with a job seeker who is motivated enough to pursue internships so early on. Even if you are not necessarily interested in the field in which you are interning, you will always learn valuable lessons that you can apply to your professional life in the future. You may ask, “Is it ever too soon to intern?” I believe it is a case by case basis. Personally, if you just finished high school, and haven't lived on your own before, internships can be a little difficult, especially if they require you to move away from home. There are local internships that allow a new high school graduate to live at home and slowly get introduced to the professional world. If you are fresh out of high school, and if you have not had experience being on your own, you may want to look into internships that are close enough to home so that you can commute. I am so glad that I chose to apply for, and accept my internship at The Leadership Institute. In the first two short weeks of being here, I have learned many new things, I have made mistakes, I have realized what it means to live on your own, and I have made friendships that will only continue to grow. When given the choice between an internship, and, say, working at Applebee's for the summer, definitely go for the internship. Not only will you be marketable in the future, but you will also grow more as a person, and have experiences that you will never get in the local hang out. >

While other kids my age put themselves through college by tending bar or waiting tables, I spent my formative years selling men's suits back in my native England. Years spent selling formal apparel have taken their toll, and now I cast a critical eye on the sartorial judgment of job-seeker and interns.Do clothes matter in this age of open-necked shirts and casual Fridays? Put simply, yes. Granted, captains of industry, and even some politicians like to dress down (step forward, Barney Frank) but when you are at the bottom of the pile, you have to look like you are heading for the top. Even if the business you are hoping to work for has a casual dress code, only those who look polished will likely get the attention of management. If you dress like you are applying for a job in Buffalo Wild Wings, do you know where you'll probably end up working? You guessed it, Buffalo Wild Wings. If you are looking for employment, you should dress as if you are ready to start your dream job. If you are interning or just embarking on a new career, you should dress as well as, or better than, your boss. These are not personal preferences, but established strategies for advancement. With that in mind, here are ten quick tips to give your image an important makeover. There are many more pointers for success, which is why I urge you to attend the Leadership Institute's Intern Workshop and Conservative Career Workshop – perfect finishing schools for people looking to embark on a successful career in the nation's capital.1) Own at least one good suit. And take note guys, the navy blazer and khakis combo is not a suit, it is the uniform of the perennial intern. You need an outfit with matching jacket and pants. Try and find a suit with a neutral color with which you can match many different shirt and tie combinations (if you are a guy) and different blouse and jewelry combinations (if you are a girl). 2) Learn to love Goodwill, or any other Charity Shop where you can pick up a nice outfit for little money. Washington is full of well-paid lawyers and lobbyists who cast away last seasons' garments without compunction. You should be ready to cash in on their mistakes. Looking for a job, and interning, can be a long process which requires frugality. A trip to Goodwill will not only bolster your wardrobe but provide some much needed retail therapy. 3) When picking your shirt and tie combinations, following the Two-out-of-Three rule. You can match a striped suit with either a patterned shirt or patterned tie, but not both. On the other hand, feel free to wear a patterned shirt and tie, but only if the suit you are wearing is plain. Two out of the three components of your outfit can have a stripe or pattern, but never, ever all three. Trust me, your outfit will be so loud the interviewer won't hear a word you say during the job interview. 4) Ladies, when putting together an outfit, you don't have to dress like your grandmother. But you do have to dress like you are about to go visit your grandmother. Washington is full of seedy politicos with bad intentions, so to be taken seriously, dress seriously. 5) And don't forget the 13-point rule, girls. That is, from the waist up your outfit should have (at most) 13 points of interest. For example, if you wear a jacket with three buttons in the middle and two on each sleeve (for a total of 7 points) you have 6 points to use on jewelry. A necklace is worth 2 points, as is a pair of earrings. Of course, you don't have to reach 13 points, many women don't, but you should never go above this magic number. Like the poor guy wearing too many stripes, your outfit will be louder than a Michael Bay movie. 6) Wear outfits of that show off your skin tone at its best. People with olive and dark skin look great in light colors, and people with pale skin look good in dark colors. Women, wear makeup by all means, but please remember point number four. 7) Here's one I wish I had know during my adolescence: guys, cologne is intimate apparel. If anyone other than your wife or partner tells you how nice you smell, it is not a compliment. You've put on too much cologne. 8) A note on shoes. Ladies, getting to the metro sometimes takes a lot of walking, and cabs can be pricey, so wear something that reflects this reality. Guys, rest assured, girls look at your shoes. So when next you head home without getting that girls number from the bar, take a look and see what you've got on your feet. You don't need to wear white patent leather next time you go watch the Caps play, but make sure you're wearing something that matches the new suit you just bought. 9) Happy Hours and other events where you can meet the next potential employer are a minefield of potential social faux pas. With so many people in town with big egos and even bigger stories about how they have President Obama's cell phone on speed dial, you might be surprised how far a handshake and a smile can get you. When starting conversation, stick to something non-controversial, like transport or the weather. From these tentative beginnings, you can take the measure of the kind of person you are speaking with. 10) Lastly, a note on bearing and how you present yourself to others. Looking for a job can be soul-destroying, but keep a positive attitude at all times. People are far more inclined to support a job seeker who keeps upbeat. If you look like someone who is going places but who happens to be without a job, you will be treated like someone who is going places. If you instead use the local happy hour or worse, facebook, twitter, and gchat to complain about how the world is against you, don't be surprised if offers of support start to dry up. People don't want to spend their valuable time helping Debbie Downer. Dan Whitfield is a faculty member for the Leadership Institute and a copywriter at Eberle & Associates, one of America's largest conservative direct mail fundraising agencies.>

"We have found a world with limitations," said Doug Bandow to a crowded room of conservatives and Leadership Institute supporters this morning.Bandow, a senior fellow at the Cato Institute, spoke to the Leadership Institute's Wednesday Wake-Up Club Breakfast. His topic was foreign policy -- in particular, how US foreign policy should change in the wake of Osama bin Laden's death.In his speech, Bandow traced the history of the United States' involvement in foreign affairs, from World Wars I and II to the modern "tendency for superpowers to naturally get involved" in humanitarian efforts overseas.Now, Bandow argued, the United States faces increasing restrictions on its military efforts overseas: spending, the risks of war, and the cost of lost American lives. "There are consequences to all actions," he said to the crowd. "Recognize there is a cost."The Wednesday Wake-Up Club Breakfast is held every month at the Institute's Steven P.J. Wood Building. It is an excellent opportunity for friends of LI to meet leading speakers and hear their thoughts on current affairs.Register online now for the next breakfast, Wednesday, June 6, with Al Cardenas, chairman of the American Conservative Union.>

Learn how to stand out at your summer internship with the Leadership Institute's free Conservative Intern Workshop on Thursday, June 9. The free, full-day workshop will teach you how to contribute to your organization, how to stand out to staff, and how to advance your careers. Last year, more than 26 organizations sent 93 interns to attend.You will learn:how to write an effective resumehow to build a network in D.C.how to secure a full-time positionhow to dress for a professional officehow to manage your financesYou'll also receive a complimentary lunch, refreshments, and a networking dinner, so you can make connections with other interns as well as LI faculty, who are established political professionals. Register today at http://bit.ly/jQImSr!The Conservative Intern Workshop is an opportunity to advance your professional development at no cost to you. There's no better way for you to start your career in Washington, D.C.! >

Yesterday the Leadership Institute welcomed Georgia Public Service Commissioner Tim Echols, an LI graduate, as the Wednesday Wake-Up Club Breakfast speaker. The breakfast, an Institute event, is held on the first Wednesday of each month."I learned a lot here [at LI] about technology, and technology is what got me there," Commissioner Echols explained as he described his winning campaign.The commissioner was elected to his seat in November 2010; it was his first political campaign. Previously, he had worked for 15 years at nonprofit organizations, founding the Family Resource Network and TeenPact, a youth training organization.Much of the commissioner's talk focused on increasing the efficiency of nuclear waste management, which he called "one of my hallmark issues."But Commissioner Echols also discussed his winning campaign. His three primary opponents had significant experience, having been elected to the State House, State Senate, or both. He credited his "upset primary" win to timing, technology, tireless effort, press savvy, precision messaging, and providence."Something else I learned here [at LI] was working with the press," Commissioner Echols explained. He told several anecdotes of his work to befriend the media. Why? "Then they'll be nice to you." The crowd appreciated that.You can join the Leadership Institute for next month's Wednesday Wake-Up Club Breakfast on June 2. The speaker is Doug Bandor, Senior Fellow at the Cato Institute.The breakfast is an excellent opportunity for friends of the Leadership Institute to meet leading conservative speakers and hear their thoughts on current affairs. Register online now to reserve your seat.>

Often jobseekers ask how to get more employers to look at their profiles on conservativejobs.com. Not only am I going to tell you how to do that, but I'm also going to give you some tips on making your profile impressive to employers once they do look at it.A few ways to ensure recruiters look at your profile during their search for applicants include filling out the public policy questionnaire fully, updating your profile regularly, and entering key words when prompted.First, you should fill out the public policy questionnaire. And fill it out thoroughly. Often, jobseekers cannot see what your ideology is based on what you have or have not responded with, so they will skip right over your profile. This isn't the case with all recruiters who use the site, but it is with many. So increase your chances of being matched with an employer who shares your philosophy by answering all the questions with strong opinions.Second, update your profile on a regular basis. The longer you go between tweaking your profile or updating your resume, the further to the bottom your profile goes when a hiring manager starts a resume search. The most recently updated profiles are the first to pop up. Make sure yours is there!Third, when you initially fill out your profile, almost as important as filling out the ppq is filling in the lines under Areas of Interest/Experience. If you fill those out with what you are very interested in, or what field(s) in which you are truly qualified to work, an employer will see your profile when they type in those key words as they search for resumes.Additionally, once an employer has opened your profile, you want to make it easy for them to see why they should hire you. To do this, you need to pay attention to a few important details.The absolute most important thing you must do, and I cannot believe I'm even having to say this, is upload your resume! If it's not on there, you are not going to get a second look, let alone a call. And do not just upload it, but also copy and paste it into the resume box. You should make it as easy as possible for the recruiter to see your credentials. Make sure the file you upload is one that can be opened and that the resume is flawless. If you are not sure what that looks like, send it to me at amccarthy@limail.us. I will help you create a resume that recruiters will actually read. And take the extra time to make sure what you copy and paste looks nice. You may have to do some manual formatting, but do it. Your resume is your first contact with employers. Put in the time to make sure it is attractive and informative without being overwhelming.Another important thing to remember when creating or updating your profile is to fill in every section, particularly the job preference, skills, and additional comments sections. I see so many profiles where these are not filled out at all. That makes it more difficult for a recruiter to determine whether you would be a good fit for a given position.Always upload a writing sample. It does not have to be 20 pages long. In fact, it should never be that long. Two pages will suffice nicely for most recruiters. They want to see that you can write well, not how many big words you know.As I mentioned before, update your profile regularly. As your interests and experiences change, the Areas of Interest/Experience section of your profile should reflect those changes. You should be updating your resume at least every six months, so be sure to upload the new version of that every time you change it. If your contact information changes, immediately note those changes on your profile. Simply replace the old with the new and continue.Finally, this is personal and a matter of common courtesy: always email or call to let me know when you accept a position you found or were made aware of through conservativejobs.com. I want to know that the website is working for you, but you have to follow up with me. So just shoot me a quick note when you accept a position. Who knows? We may feature you in one of LI's news releases as a success story for conservativejobs.com.>

A few weeks ago, Holly Robichaud, Leadership Institute faculty for grassroots, received the 2011 Pollie Award for campaign brochure design and was named to the 2011 Aristotle's Excellence Awards Republican National Dream Team. The awards were dubbed the "Oscars of political advertising" by Esquire.Since 2008, Holly has travelled across the country as an Institute faculty member. She has trained conservatives in school topics ranging from campaigns, communications, to get-out-the-vote efforts. This is all in addition to her work as the founder of the Tuesday Associates, a political consulting company; a political analyst for the Boston Herald; and a columnist for Winning Campaigns magazine.Tuesday Associates won the Pollie for its "Sick of Congress Barf Bags." The campaign, created for the Marty Lamb congressional campaign, propelled Lamb to a seven-point victory in a five-way GOP primary. The barf bag was both an on-the-ground and online sensation; Michelle Malkin called it the "political gimmick of the year." The barf bags were also featured on local TV and Your World with Neil Cavuto.Holly was named to the Aristotle "dream team" for her direct mail design of a talking card for the Shaunna O'Connell campaign. Robichaud's audio card featured Rep. James Fagan's infamous speech against Jessica's Law. It is credited for the upset victory for State Rep. Shaunna O'Connell."I am honored to have received this national recognition for my designs and creative ideas. I work hard to think outside of the box to deliver a candidate's message to the voters," Holly said.Holly is one of hundreds of expert political professionals who volunteer their time and talent to train conservatives at the Leadership Institute. LI staff and supporters congratulate Holly on her accomplishments and thank her for what she has given back to the conservative movement.Find more information on your next training opportunity with Holly Robichaud or LI's other experienced faculty right now. >

Dozens of highly energized students at Grove City College in Pennsylvania participated in the Leadership Institute's Youth Leadership School.Student Brian Lonto enjoyed “learning how to be an effective political force,” a skill he is planning to utilize on campus, but also as he prepares for a career “to influence politics as a non-politician.” Brian was encouraged that even though he is only a student, “I can [still] influence politics outside the political spectrum.”The students assembled for the YLS were not only getting ready to tackle campus issues, but also their future career prospects. “I would tell [any friend] that this training is absolutely crucial if they want to go into politics,” said Kristie Eshelman, adding “I eventually want to work on a campaign or run for office in local politics.”During the busy weekend, the engaged students learned the ins and outs of campus activism and leadership, and “how to use the power of youth to further your cause,” student Sharon Koss said.Also available to students was a lecture about networking, interviewing, resumes and how to land a job in DC—at a Capitol Hill office, on a campaign, or at a conservative nonprofit.LI's Director of Employment Placement Service Andrea McCarthy reviewed students' resumes and advised those not already on ConservativeJobs.com to make an account. Andrea said, “The students were really receptive and put into practice what they learned. I've seen some resumes since the YLS and they look much better.”Andrea said because of the weekend training, LI's relationship with Grove City College's career services has been strengthened. Now, on a weekly basis, college students receive an email of featured jobs and internships advertised on Conservative Jobs.At the end of the weekend, student Emily Seelman had reached a verdict, “It was definitely intense, but absolutely worth every minute!”Find the next YLS near you or other LI training opportunities or create an account on Conservative Jobs now to hear about new jobs and internships or to find the perfect new employee.>

"When asked if we had gotten a republic or a monarchy, Benjamin Franklin answered, 'A republic. If you can keep it,'" said Congressman Tom Price to a crowd of more than 80 Leadership Institute supporters at LI's monthly Wednesday Wake-Up Club Breakfast. "We are in 'if you can keep it' times. History will write whether we answered the call of the times. Did we fight to retain the greatest nation in the history of the world?"In a wide-ranging talk, Congressman Price gave his perspective on multiple current issues -- including the budget debates in Congress -- and then took questions from the audience. William Peck, a breakfast attendee, said the congressman was "very inspiring."Held the first Wednesday of each month, the Wednesday Wake-Up Club Breakfast is an excellent opportunity for friends of the Leadership Institute to meet leading conservative speakers and hear their thoughts on current affairs. Past breakfasts have been attended by members of Congress, public policy experts, and columnists.>

The Leadership Institute's Advanced Public Relations School offers hands-on instruction for tackling communications problems, from organization and planning to presentation. Attendees are divided into communications teams and are given fictional crisis situations to work through strategy and message development in a mock press conference setting.The next Advanced Public Relations School is April 11-13 from 6:30-9:30 PM. Topics covered include:• How to deal with an adversarial press• The key to recognizing “hooks” in the day's news• How to develop, pitch, present, and defend your message and visionAs one past attendee remarked, “It really helped to hear from professionals in the same work environment I am in. I got a lot out of their advice, stories, and warnings!” To learn more and register for the training, please visit: http://tinyurl.com/APRS0411. >

As an Institute supporter, you'll like this article from last week's Washington Post. It details a new project by liberals to copy LI's media training. They say imitation is the highest form of flattery, so LI grads should feel flattered.From the Washington Post: “Brenner [a faculty member] joined the other participants in a wood-paneled room on the carriage house's ground floor. A camcorder stood on a tripod in the middle of desks arranged in a horseshoe formation. Black and white boards hung on the walls. Brock, with graying hair and blue tie, offered some words of wisdom to the class. Their conservative antagonists had all gone through rigorous media training at the Leadership Institute, he warned, but now they, too, would be armed with the ammunition to compete.”If you're ready to compete in the liberal-dominated media, take a television training from the Leadership Institute. Register now for schools on Friday, April 15 and Friday, May 13.>

Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 The Leadership Institute invites you to attend the fourth annual International School of Fundraising: How to Raise A Lot of Money in Your Country for Your Causes from April 5 to April 9 at Wellington College, Crowthorne, Berkshire in the United Kingdom. Register now before all the 100 spots are filled.At the training, you'll receive lessons from expert faculty on personal solicitation; adapting the principles of direct mail fundraising to your culture and country; how to fundraise for corporations; vital research on donors and prospective donors; building strong donor relations; how to make strong presentations; writing a fundraising plan and budgeting for long-term success; how to write a successful fundraising letter; social media for fundraising; informational mailings and newsletters; how to build a house file with strategies for strong renewals; and many other topics.The cost for the week-long training is US $750 and includes lodging, meals, materials and training in state-of-the-art facilities with top-notch expert faculty from around the world. Scholarships are available. However, this seminar will be limited to 100 delegates.Register for the International School of Fundraising right now.If you have any questions, please contact Director of International Training Miguel Moreno at mmoreno@limail.us or 703-247-2000 ext. 345.>

The Leadership Institute has welcomed three new staff members to its Arlington, Virginia headquarters, the Steven P.J. Wood Building, in the past few weeks: Gabriel Conger, Danielle Savoy, and Brennan Ward.Brennan WardNew Hampshire native Brennan Ward has joined LI's Grassroots Department directly from the office of Congressman Cliff Stearns (R-FL). In his new position as Grassroots Coordinator, Brennan explained, he will "teach, organize, and coordinate conservative grassroots training programs across the country."Brennan graduated the University of New Hampshire with a degree in Psychology, then went on to George Washington University's School of Political Management for his Master's degree.During the 2010 election cycle, Brennan served as the Pennsylvania Republican Party state liaison, coordinating efforts between congressional and statewide candidates. He oversaw his volunteers making one of the largest victory efforts in the entire country."The Leadership Institute has provided me an opportunity to train and network with likeminded conservative activists," said Brennan, adding, "The position has awarded me the chance to travel the country and teach campaigning. This is extremely rewarding to see students take these tools and techniques and apply them to their own political campaigns."Robert Arnakis, the Institute's Senior Director of Domestic and International Programs, said, "Brennan's political experience and can-do attitude will be a welcome addition to the Grassroots team. 2011 and 2012 will be two very crucial years for conservatives. Having Brennan on board at LI means more conservatives will get the training they desperately need."Gabriel CongerA Wisconsin native, Gabriel recently joined the Institute as Director of Foundation and Corporate Relations. In his new position, Gabriel explained, he will "communicate LI's mission and information regarding the Institute's programs to foundations and corporations that make grants, drafting proposals, reports, and other correspondence to individuals at those organizations."Prior to joining LI, Gabriel worked as Development Assistant at the Heritage Foundation. While there, "all the interns I supervised spoke very highly of the training they received here [LI] and always returned to work enthusiastic to put that training into action," Gabriel said, adding, "I was curious to learn more about an organization that did such a superb job motivating and teaching young conservatives.""To be completely honest when I came to work at LI, I was not fully aware of the extent and scope of the training programs and outreach efforts on college campuses," Gabriel continued. “LI's training programs, work on college campuses, and the employment service program combined reach virtually every organization in the conservative movement in one way or another. LI is truly the H.R. department for the movement.”Gabriel attended Creighton University in Nebraska and received a B.A. in History. Having lived in the D.C. area for a few years now, Mr. Conger has had some interesting encounters. One includes a chance meeting with former Vice President Dick Cheney: "One day I was stepping out of an elevator at the Heritage Foundation on my way to work out at their gym and literally bumped into former Vice President Dick Cheney. The Secret Service agents surrounding Vice President Cheney were less than thrilled with the gym bag I was carrying, but luckily, they let me go!"Danielle SavoyDanielle Savoy joins Gabriel in LI's Development Department from Louisiana as a Donor Relations Officer. "My focus is on maintaining and strengthening LI's relationships with donors and prospects," said Danielle, adding, "A large part of this endeavor involves providing information about our programs and achievements to donors so that they can see exactly how their donations are making a difference."Danielle graduated with a B.S. in Microbiology from Louisiana State University, and then pursued a law degree from LSU's law school. While a law student, Danielle fostered the relationship that would ultimately lead her to the Institute."My mentor and law professor, Professor John S. Baker, was instrumental in helping me develop a sound understanding of the Constitution and a strong conservative philosophy. During my third year of law school, he helped me make the decision to move to DC to become a part of the conservative movement. Professor Baker had wonderful things to say about Morton Blackwell, whom he knows personally, and he suggested that I enroll in one of the Leadership Institute's training schools," Danielle explained.Prior to coming to LI, Danielle worked for Louisiana Congressman Rodney Alexander as a staff assistant and then his scheduler; as a Federal Judicial Law Clerk for U.S. District Judge Kurt D. Engelhardt; and as an attorney in private practice and corporate counsel.It was during the Institute's job fair at CPAC this February that Danielle learned about job opportunities with the organization. "I attended the CPAC job fair, where I learned that LI was recruiting for this position. After speaking to Director of Regional Development Seth Nichols, I knew it was the right position for me. Just ten days later, I began working at LI!"Steve Sutton, LI's Vice President of Development and Campus Programs, was "pleased" and "excited" by the addition of the new development staff members. In particular, Mr. Sutton commended "their youthful exuberance, their experience, their intelligence, and their proven track records of success as conservative activists." He added, "I am excited that LI can benefit from their extensive experience."Please welcome Gabriel, Danielle, and Brennan as new staff at LI.>

March 17, 2011, Arlington, VA—The Leadership Institute's Director of the Employment Placement Services Department (EPS) Andrea McCarthy rarely has a slow day. She oversees ConservativeJobs.com, the nation's premier free, online solution that connects conservative job seekers with potential employers.In LI Founder and President Morton Blackwell's Employee of the Quarter announcement, he said, “Andrea has worked tirelessly for the last three months to meet with dozens of job seekers, quickly post new job positions to Conservative Jobs, and to review individual resumes to recommend top-talent to employers seeking conservative employees.”Accepting the award, Ms. McCarthy felt both “honored” and “surprised.” “This award is a motivator to keep meeting with folks. A motivator to place conservatives in their dream jobs,” said Ms. McCarthy.The Leadership Institute has placed over 1,300 conservatives in over 500 organizations nationwide. In addition to maintaining ConservativeJobs.com, Ms. McCarthy also quite frequently meets with conservative job seekers; answering questions, offering advice, and aiding in resume writing. Ms. McCarthy feels she has done her job “when I get a thank you card from someone I met with. We talked. We made some edits. And they got the job they wanted. The goal is for them to go from job seeker to employee.”Looking to the future, Ms. McCarthy has many plans. One includes a cell phone application for ConservativeJobs.com so that “we can make the services readily available,” she said.Having been with LI since 2006, first as a recruitment coordinator, then as the director of recruitment and now in her current position, Ms. McCarthy draws on her extensive knowledge, wide experience and contacts to aid conservatives and organizations in the search for the perfect match. “This award is a strong reminder of why I do what I do,” she said.Being the ultimate encourager, Ms. McCarthy is always ready to help anyone who contacts her. No matter how tough the challenge or how busy she is. She has one suggestion to all LI grads and conservatives: “Utilize the free sources!”To learn more about ConservativeJobs.com and set up an account please click here or contact Andrea at 703-247-2000.The Leadership Institute is an educational foundation whose mission is to increase the number and effectiveness of conservative activists and leaders in the public policy process. LI trains and places conservatives in government, politics, and the media by teaching them how to succeed in the public policy process. To do that, LI offers 40 types of training programs, works with more than 1,465 conservative campus groups, and helps employers connect with conservative jobseekers. Since the Institute's 1979 founding, more than 91,600 students have been trained. Alumni include U.S. Senators, Members of Congress, city council members, local mayors, state legislators, and conservative activists and officeholders at every level. For more information, please visit: http://www.leadershipinstitute.org-30->

As we are rolling into a fresh race cycle for 2011, jobs are starting to pop up on the campaign trail. If you are in any way politically inclined there will always be a certain allure to working on a campaign at one point in your career. When I graduated college I had this vision of being staffed full time on a campaign. I was envisioning rallies, debates, and late nights eating pizza sessions while listening to Led Zeppelin. Do not get me wrong, these things did happen during the campaign (minus the Led Zeppelin tunes, even though we did throw in Journey a few times) but there were many holes in my vision that were quickly filled in once starting my first campaign job. My first job after college was a Congressional campaign, and it was one of the most intense, yet rewarding experiences of my life. But it takes a certain personality to truly enjoy campaign work. It is not for everyone. Before you embark on a search for a campaign job, here are a few things that I observed being campaign staff. This is not a job for the weary of heart.Be flexible: This job is in no way your structured, 9 to 5 scenario. In fact this might just be the antithesis of your typical job. Campaigners never sleep; there will always be an early morning news article that needs to be read, late night events that need to be hit, and weekends free are just a distant pastime on your life B.C. (Before Campaign). You may have a schedule planned for the day, and an article may turn up in the local paper that morning that will turn your whole day upside down. A last minute event opportunity may present itself that you cannot ignore. Having structure but being able to roll with the punches is a priceless craft to master on the campaign trail. Be open-minded: A campaign job is a job with many hats. While you will be hired for a specific job, be prepared to be doing everything under that job's spectrum. You will be in a suit one day and jeans and a T shirt the next. You will find yourself dressed up for a gala one night and pounding the pavement going door to door the next morning. You might even find yourself running to put out signs in your professional attire. Anything is possible. Be prepared to have your comfort zone pushed as far as possible.Assess your stress threshold: Before you embark on the journey to seek out the campaign job, sit down and be honest with yourself about how prepared you are to handle the stress of the campaign thrill ride. People told me that working on a campaign was like working in a pressure cooker and I could not think of a better way to explain it. There will always be more doors to knock on, there will always be another hundred calls to make, there will always be volunteers that need to be recruited, and there will always be media alerts to assess. Everyone wants to say that they handle stress well, but for the sake of your sanity and your potential colleagues' sanity; if you tend to not react well to stress, this may not be the job for you.At the end of the day be able to let your hair down: While the stress is high and the tasks are at times arbitrary, the point of campaigning is your ability to connect. This is a job strictly contingent on creating personal relationships. While there are a lot of things on the table, you still need to be able to have fun, and allow yourself to truly enjoy the job opportunity you are experiencing because it is truly one of a kind.Recognize that once you solidify your position on a campaign, you are surrendering yourself to the ride of your life until November 3rd. The only way to see if you're truly cut out for the work is to throw yourself into one headfirst. It may be the worst experience you've ever had, or the best experience you've ever had, but at the end of the day it will be an experience you will never forget. >

Florida campaign manager Andrea Penton, Vancouver CEO Julian Haigh, Texan entrepreneur Trent Derr, and more than forty other conservatives came to the Leadership Institute for its Campaign Management School (CMS), a week-long, intensive "boot camp" in campaign management last week.The school teaches students the ins and outs of campaigning through intensive training and real life stories, and in doing so, give students the how-to knowledge they need to succeed. As CMS student Gus Leventis of Addison, Illinois said, "The [CMS] will teach you how to win!"The week-long school drew future campaign managers, campaign staff, and several potential candidates. Among the candidates was Lynda Fairman (photograph below), a candidate for a Virginia State Senate seat. "I was visiting our state senator and every question I asked, the current state senator answered, ‘We'll just have to disagree on that,'" Lynda explained. "I asked about an education issue, since it is a field I am well experienced in, and it was an issue I was certain everyone would agree was a state issue. He claimed it was a district issue, looked at me then said, ‘We'll just have to disagree on that.' As we are about to leave, he sarcastically says, ‘Hmph. You should run for School Board.' I turn around, and blurt out ‘Actually, I think I'll run for your job!'" Lynda laughed. "He [the senator] just looked at me, then says, ‘Get in line.' With this training, I feel I have been given the tools to succeed. Not just for my campaign but for the movement as a whole."Emily Lucier, a contract documents paralegal in Richmond, Virginia shared her experience: "This has been such a plethora of invaluable information that has given me ideas for my candidate all week." She attended the school because she'll serve as campaign manager for a local government race in Richmond this fall. "This training has helped me to first consider the skills I have and how to use them, and also has given me a strong, organizational frame in how to go about planning a campaign. Learning these tools and processes will allow me to go forward with confidence."The CMS featured experienced, expert faculty members who brought many years' experience with campaigns -- and a willingness to share their knowledge with eager students."The campaign management training was an intense, one-week experience packed with the best practices and wisdom of the most impressive group of consultants I have met," said Trent Derr of Texas."Just this week alone, the training has been successful," said CMS attendee Dr. Lolita Mancheno-Smoak. She teaches graduate and undergraduate business at the University of Phoenix and Strayer University, and is an at-large candidate for the Fairfax County (VA) School Board. "What [LI] teaches is not just theory, but application. When you know you can immediately apply it, you know it is valuable," as she had already put the training to use by crafting a coalition of support for her candidacy.Lolita praised the training as teaching "the good, the bad, and the ugly of real campaigning based on real-life experiences." She added "fundamentally I think everyone should take this school. Not only campaign managers, but candidates, as well. I am ecstatic! We learn the right questions, the proper techniques, and bottom line you could never get this from a book. This is good!"Sharing this sentiment, Lynda Fairman added, "And not only is the training itself good, but the dinners at night and being able to stay in the dorms allows us to network and connect with each other. This is definitely worth my -- and the donors' -- money...Most of the lasting connections are made after class."After a week at the Campaign Management School, the more than 40 students are ready to contribute to the conservative movement as campaign managers, campaign staff, or future candidates. Perhaps Lynda explains it best: "Prior to this school, I felt like I was jumping off a cliff into a pit. Now, I'm ready!">

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Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged will debut on the silver screen this year on Tax Day, April 15, when the first of a three-film series will be publicly released."It's refreshing to see a pro-liberty movie coming out of Hollywood," said Cuylor Reeves, who attended a special sneak preview screening organized by the Atlas Society in Washington, DC. "I haven't yet read Atlas Shrugged, but I really think this film can spread Rand's defense of free markets to new audiences."Cuylor, who was a member of Young Americans for Liberty, affiliated with LI's Campus Leadership Program, at Mississippi State University, continued, "Plus, in fitting with current news, the movie made quite a few good digs at union leadership."Atlas Shrugged, first published in the 1957, has enjoyed long-lasting popularity. Morton Blackwell, LI's president, also includes the novel on the list of books he recommends most to conservatives, published as Read to Lead."This book has been described as a very long essay in the guise of a very long novel," Morton explains in Read to Lead. "It is one of the most devastating critiques ever written of big government and the liberal media. Rand's moral indignation is contagious; after reading her, most readers are forever immune to the enticements of socialism."But, Morton continues, "It must also be said, however, that the militantly atheistic Rand had an unrealistic view of human nature and little appreciation for cultural values. Most people, however mesmerized by her they may be in their youth, outgrow Rand's philosophy, which Burke might have described as a theoretical construct rather than an application of the accumulated wisdom of mankind."Read Morton's full review of Atlas Shrugged -- and see the other 25 books he recommends -- right now.>