Please welcome the Leadership Institute's spring interns. This is their fifth week on the job.Patrick Bailey: Georgia Institute of Technology • Arlington, VA • Development Patrick comes to LI with extensive experience in database management and design. After graduating from Georgia Institute of Technology in 2008, Patrick worked as a database engineer at Capital IQ in New York City. While an undergraduate, Patrick constructed a 3D virtual campus for the Universitat Oberta de Cataluña in Barcelona, Spain. Last fall Patrick brought his technical skills to Young Americans for Liberty, where he served as an intern in the development department. Patrick also volunteered on the ground with the Ron Paul campaign in Iowa and New Hampshire in the weeks leading up to the 2012 primaries. What are your job duties within your department and what projects will you be working on this semester?As a Development intern I assist the Development Department staff in their routine duties regarding donor relations. I have already been given several important assignments such as drafting personal thank-you letters and mailing letters written from students of our training programs. I'm looking forward to using my technology skills to make the team more effective with development tools such as Raiser's Edge.What are you most excited about in this internship?The most exciting thing about the Leadership Institute's internship program is the opportunity to meet with and learn from great conservative leaders. This spring, I'm going to meet several influential people doing great things for the conservative movement. The Development Department here at LI is also hugely successful, and I hope to learn as much as possible about donor relations, direct mail, and foundation giving. I have some ideas about how I might be able to apply my background in data analysis to more effectively target our prospects and cultivate our donors, and I hope to get valuable feedback from the staff.What are your future plans?I left a budding career in finance to create technology tools for conservative grassroots and campaigns. With my degree and prior work experience, I already have the programming skills necessary to accomplish this goal. With the help of the Leadership Institute, I will gain an understanding of the public policy process to create truly effective technology that will give conservative activists the tools necessary for the battles we face ahead.Luis Silva-Ball:Universidad Metropolitana • Caracas, Venezuela • President's Office Luis is currently pursuing a degree in Liberal Studies from the Universidad Metropolitana in Caracas. In conjunction with his studies at the university, Luis is also enrolled in courses through the Mises Academy. He is the president of Estudiantes por la Libertad, a Student's For Liberty affiliated organization on his campus. Luis has volunteered with many political events in Venezuela, both at the student level as well as the national level and in 2011 he attended the Mount Pelerin Society's regional meeting in Buenos Aires as a guest scholar. In addition to his political involvement, Luis taught guitar and juggling at a youth camp in Maine and is a member of the Thespis Unimet theater troupe. What are your job duties within your department and what projects will you be working on this semester?As an intern to the President's Office, I mostly help out with daily tasks that Morton and his assistant, Cathy, bestow upon me. I sort Morton's mail, help out with the Adam Smith Attire orders and ensure their delivery, organize brochures and information packets, and occasionally attend events with Morton.2. What are you most excited about in this internship?Making acquaintances with principled conservatives, attending the Leadership Institute's numerous training schools, and most of all learning how to manage a nonprofit organization.What are your future plans?My immediate plans are to graduate and grow my organization on campus, Estudiantes por la Libertad, http://www.eslibertad.org. Later on, I'd like to get into banking and finance the liberty movement.David Bell: Rutgers University • Toms River, NJ • Grassroots David graduated from Rutgers in 2010 with a degree in Criminal Justice/Political Science. In 2009 David was selected to participate in Rutgers' Capital City Internship Program, where he was placed with the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce as a Government Relations intern. He then interned with his local congressman in New Jersey's 3rd district, where he later was offered a position as Congressional Liaison. In 2011 David volunteered on a number of successful local campaigns, including a mayoral race that unseated a 12-year incumbent. In addition to his political experience, David served for four years as manager of Citricos Mediterranean Italian Cuisine and as an events coordinator for Evesham Township, NJ. What are your job duties within your department and what projects will you be working on this semester? My tasks and projects as a Grassroots Intern are to maintain the Leadership Institute Database (LID) and aid in the establishment of relations with individuals and conservative-based organizations across the United States. Furthermore, I will be researching candidates and organizations to facilitate the Leadership Institute's movement throughout the United States.What are you most excited about in this internship? I am excited to be surrounded by a group of individuals that exemplify leadership and dedication. Moreover, I am energized to be associated with an organization that will allow me to hone my professional skills and develop new skills that will catapult me into the professional environment.What are your future plans? Some of my career goals include working as a consultant or lobbyist. I am contemplating running for public office in the future.Brittany Bezick: University of West Florida • Pensacola, FL • Youth Leadership School In December 2011 Brittany graduated from the University of West Florida (Pensacola) with a degree in political science. Brittany's passion for the political process began in high school when she was invited to attend Florida's Girls State. Since then, she interned for Rep. Clay Ingram's Pensacola office where she assisted with building databases, researching policy issues and contacting area businesses and residents. This past fall, Brittany attended Florida's Presidency 5, serving as a delegate for Escambia County, Florida. While president of UWF's College Republicans, Brittany planned a 9/11 memorial service and invited local veterans to speak to students and area residents. What are your job duties within your department and what projects will you be working on this semester? My duties consist of compiling the folders and packets for each Youth Leadership School (YLS) class, uploading information onto the Leadership Institute Database about each student and class per YLS, and assisting in recruitment for each YLS.What are you most excited about in this internship? I am most excited about the working environment and the networking opportunities I will encounter during this internship, along with expanding my knowledge of the working environment and the strategic planning, development, and workings within a large nonprofit organization.What are your future plans? I plan on working as a campaign manager for local, state, and national campaigns.Taylor Bricker: Clarion University • Karns City, PA • Campus Leadership Program Taylor graduated this December from Clarion University with degrees in Political Science and Business Administration. While at Clarion, Taylor was an active member of the Clarion College Conservatives and served as Vice Chair of Elections. He was also elected to serve as Alumni Relations Officer for the Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity. In both positions, Taylor planned campus activities for fellow students, including arranging events with local candidates. In addition to his campus activities, Taylor frequently volunteered on area campaigns, and he has interned for the Social Security Administration and the Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development. Most recently, Taylor interned with Americans For Prosperity Foundation in their Marketing Department. What are your job duties within your department and what projects will you be working on this semester?My duties as a member of the Campus Leadership Programs department are to assist in the outreach to conservative/libertarian student organizations on college campuses, the provision and coordination of grassroots organizational/activism training, and in part providing content for the Campus Reform website.What are you most excited about in this internship?I am most excited to be a part of LI's efforts to help conservative and libertarian groups fight leftwing bias on campuses and to help counter liberal attempts to indoctrinate students.What are your future plans?In the future, I hope to work with the Leadership Institute or a similar group to help educate Americans of all ages on the importance of fulfilling their responsibilities as citizens to play a role in their government and to promote freedom and liberty to keep our country strong.Kelly Cassara: University of California, Los Angeles • Glendale, CA • Employment Placement Services A California native, Kelly graduated from UCLA in 2011 with a degree in Political Science. As the co-founder and president of the Glendale Community College Conservative Club, Kelly arranged numerous campus events and film screenings for her fellow students. She also served as Internal Vice President for Live Action UCLA, a youth-led, pro-life activist organization. After graduation, Kelly worked as the media/field intern for Concerned Women for America where she developed marketing materials for CWA's new Young Women for America initiative. In addition to her political activities, Kelly spent a semester abroad studying Italian in Florence, Italy. What are your job duties within your department and what projects will you be working on this semester? I am responsible for making sure new jobs and internships are posted every day on ConservativeJobs.com. I always look for a variety of jobs that will appeal to different interests and work-experience levels. I also use Twitter and Facebook to promote the website and spread awareness about the latest job listings. My other duties include providing jobseekers with feedback on their résumés and cover letters. I also helped with the Job Fair at CPAC that LI hosted.What are you most excited about in this internship? I am most excited to be learning the ins-and-outs of job hunting, especially because it will help me in my own pursuit of employment following this internship. I am now aware of all these new job search sites, and it's amazing to discover what's out there. It's also very rewarding to help people find the jobs!What are your future plans? My plans are to return to California and seek a full-time job there. Ideally, I would like to remain working on behalf of the conservative cause, particularly the pro-life movement.Mike Fincher: University of California, Merced • Atwater, CA • Campus Reform Online Mike will formally graduate from UC Merced with a degree in Political Science and a minor in History in 2012. While at UC Merced, Mike has been extensively involved with the campus community. He served as both a senator and associate justice for ASUCM, UC Merced's student governing body; as a student trustee for the Collegiate Alumni Foundation; and as an events staffer for the university's Recreation and Athletics department. Mike was the co-founder of the College Republicans at UC Merced and The Right Side publication, where he also served as executive editor. Mike achieved the rank of Eagle Scout in 2008. What are your job duties within your department and what projects will you be working on this semester? I work within Campus Reform Online (CRO). I write blogs, interact with students online, and help spread our message and programs through social media outlets. I also help with production of videos in our department, which we use to promote and report on student activism. As CRO and the Campus Leadership Programs (CLP) work closely together, my duties also include traveling with Regional Field Coordinators, and compilation of information for Conservatism101 and other CLP programs. What are you most excited about in this internship?What drew me to this internship was not just the fact that most expenses were covered, but also that LI stresses networking and gives interns the opportunity to attend trainings and events, as well as meet influential speakers at our dinners. I am also excited to work with CRO, which is more of a hobby for me and less of a job, making each day enjoyable. What are your future plans?I plan on attending law school in the fall. I would like to serve as a legal counsel for non-profits/foundations within the conservative movement after law school and to stay involved in politics. Meghan Gray: Columbia College Chicago • Beach Park, IL • Events Meghan is currently working toward degrees in Journalism and Public Relations at Columbia College Chicago. She is a dedicated member of the Lake County Republican Federation, where she has supported numerous fundraising efforts. Meghan organized several golf outings for the Federation, securing sponsorships for the event and prizes for a silent auction held in conjunction with the tournament. Meghan has also written news articles and developed content for Chicago area publications. In addition to her political and journalistic involvement, Meghan is a member of the Delta Zeta National Sorority and has actively volunteered her time with area non-profits. What are your job duties within your department and what projects will you be working on this semester? I will work to prepare Leadership Institute staff and guests for the Wednesday Wake-Up Club Breakfasts, happy hours, upcoming trainings and schools, and the Fourth of July Soirée. The most exciting aspect of my position is being able to collaborate on CPAC 2012, which is the largest conservative gathering in the nation. What are you most excited about in this internship?I am most enthusiastic about growing as a professional within the conservative movement. I feel fortunate to have been granted an internship that provides invaluable networking opportunities and hands-on experience, while furthering my passion and understanding of the public policy process. What are your future plans?I am currently a senior at Columbia College Chicago, pursuing a degree in journalism and public relations. Ultimately, I aspire to work on Capitol Hill or in the nonprofit sector. I look forward to establishing a name for myself in D.C., and am confident the knowledge and life lessons acquired from the Leadership Institute will follow me in the years to come. Lauren Levy: University of Florida, Gainesville • Miami, FL • Recruitment Lauren holds degrees in Journalism and Jewish Studies from the University of Florida, Gainesville, where she graduated in 2011. An active writer, Lauren's work has been published on Townhall, GOPRockstars.com, and UF's publication The Independent Florida Alligator. Lauren interned with The Real Proposal magazine from 2006 to 2011 where she served as a research assistant, co-editor and social media administrator. Most recently, Lauren interned with Concerned Women for America under Dr. Janice Shaw Crouse. Lauren wrote biweekly blog posts, prepared presentations, and edited copy for Dr. Crouse's upcoming book. Lauren is an active member of the DC Young Republicans, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, and has studied abroad in Jerusalem. What are your job duties within your department and what projects will you be working on this semester? Essentially, our department is the communications branch for the Leadership Institute. I am responsible for writing stories about faculty, events, trainings, schools and workshops that promote LI to the general public. I also keep track of events in the area hosted by conservative organizations and post them to our intranet calendar to encourage networking on behalf of LI. I will also be keeping track of conservative organizations and our congressional advisory board, which consists of members of the House and Senate who support LI's mission and conservative ideals. Finally, throughout the course of my internship, I will be participating in Capitol Hill walks to visit congressional offices, distribute marketing materials, and network on behalf of LI. What are you most excited about in this internship? I am excited to have the opportunity to network with current and future movers and shakers in the conservative movement who are positioning themselves for careers in politics, media and public policy. I am also excited to participate in several of the schools, trainings and workshops, all of which are free of charge for LI interns. What are your future plans? Through this internship, I hope to gain the tools I need to launch a career path advancing the conservative movement. I want to be involved with a public policy organization that is actively engaged in topical sociopolitical and legislative debates and initiatives that reinforce conservative values. I am also interested in opportunities that lead to writing syndicated columns and other works that explore my personal philosophy on sociopolitical and cultural issues at a national and international scale. Elizabeth Morrison: Regent University • Hollywood Beach, MD • Online Programs Elizabeth is currently studying Communications and American Government and Politics at Regent University. She has actively campaigned for multiple Virginia races, including Scott Rigell's congressional campaign and Ron Villenueva's campaign for Virginia House of Delegates. Elizabeth's campus involvement includes serving as the Secretary and Undergraduate Republican Liaison of Regent's College Republicans. For the past three years Elizabeth has participated in Young America's Foundation seminars and conferences, in addition to attending a Journalism Camp at Patrick Henry College. What are your job duties within your department and what projects will you be working on this semester? My job duties as the Online Programs intern are to help get ready for our webinars that occur every other Wednesday. This includes many different tasks from running errands to writing scripts. Tasks can vary from simple to difficult. One of the main projects I'll be working on is finishing up and polishing any writing that has to be done for our webinar videos in addition to assisting in the production of the videos. What are you most excited about in this internship? I am most excited for the people I'll get to meet and the experiences I'll get to have with them. Arlington is full of opportunities and things to see and do. I try to live life so that I will never be short on experiences to share. At the Leadership Institute, I know I am being given the very best internship available in a place that simply cannot be beat. I am also excited that I am advancing my career in politics and setting myself up for success by participating in the intern program. What are your future plans? My future plans change often as I understand myself and my interests more. However, as of now, I plan to graduate college and then get a master's degree, possibly in business. After that I would like to be a lobbyist and work to advance conservative ideas or do public relations for a large corporation. Eventually, I would like to run for office and take everything I've learned here and put it to good use. Marta Ponikowska: University of Warsaw • Lukow, Poland • LI Studios/TechnologyMarta is a fifth-year student of law at the Univeristy of Warsaw. She holds MA in Political Sciences (University of Warsaw, University of Maastricht- Erasmus Scholarship). During her studies, Marta interned at the Polish Ministry of Justice and the European Parliament (Brussels). Marta was involved in many projects at the Center for Citizenship Education and the ‘Everyday law' project of the Polish Human Rights Defender Office. She is also a legal assistant at an international law firm. What are your job duties within your department and what projects will you be working on this semester?I assist the LI Studios with day-to-day work. The studio is a television studio, post production house and media agency all in one, so interning here is something really exciting as I can learn a lot about all the phases of media production. This semester I will write scripts, assist with production of webinars, edit and produce videos, work on web development and learn about new media. My intern project is to produce an advocacy video. What are you most excited about in this internship?The Leadership Institute internship is a great opportunity to learn about the American political system, society and management. It is also probably the best place in the Washington, DC, area to gain successful leadership skills. The Institute organizes weekly informal meetings with professionals from the fields of politics and law, so all the interns have a chance to speak with influential conservatives who share their personal experiences. What are your future plans?After completing my internship, I will travel to France to attend the European Advocacy Academy. Later on, I will most likely start studying for the Warsaw Bar entrance exam. I will definitely try to utilize everything that I have learned over the course of the internship. Harmony Shields: Patrick Henry College • Palmer, AK • Department of Political Training Harmony Shields completed a certificate in Constitutional Law through Patrick Henry College in 2011. She is a dedicated pro-life advocate, and has served in many capacities at HeartReach Pregnancy Center in Wasilla, Alaska. Harmony is active in her local Republican organization and has served as treasurer for the Valley Republican Women's Club. Harmony volunteered extensively on a number of Alaskan campaigns, including Joe Miller's Senate race where she worked as candidate scheduler and event coordinator. Most recently, Harmony was the Alaska state director for Herman Cain's presidential campaign. What are your job duties within your department and what projects will you be working on this semester?Most recently, my project has been to sort and update contact lists, and prepare for CPAC trainings. Some of my responsibilities will also be to help assist in the political trainings, such as the Campaign Management School. What are you most excited about in this internship?I am so excited to be involved in an organization like LI that helps make such an impact in conservative politics. What are your future plans?In the future, I would like to help better the conservative cause in any way that I can. Some of my tentative plans include working on campaigns for principled conservative candidates, possibly running for office, and training other young people to get involved in the movement. I think that it is very important that every person gets a taste of working in politics sometime in his or her life. For years, politics has had a very negative connation, and I want to help change the tide and make it positive again. Chris Vari: Thomas Edison State College, Regent University • Perry Hall, MD • DevelopmentChris received his JD from Regent University School of Law in 2011 after completing an undergraduate degree in History at Thomas Edison State College. While a student at Regent, Chris was the staff editor for the Regent Journal of Law and Public Policy and also served as president of Regent College Republicans. Chris has interned with Ohio State Representative Diana Fessler, the National Republican Congressional Committee, and served as treasurer for Ron Hood's 2008 congressional campaign. In 2010 Chris also completed an externship with the American Center for Law and Justice where he performed legal research for ACLJ attorneys. What are your job duties within your department and what projects will you be working on this semester?I am responsible for assisting Development Department staff as they raise the money necessary to fund LI training. Typical tasks include data entry and donor research. As far as major projects, I am hoping to help turn LI's Planned Giving newsletter into a quarterly publication. What are you most excited about in this internship?I am really excited about being close to DC networking opportunities and having access to LI's training opportunities and connections within the conservative movement. What are your future plans?I would eventually like to work as a legislative staff member on Capitol Hill or as a policy/legislative analyst or lobbyist for a conservative political organization. >

Mario Lopez has a top-notch resume: U.S. House of Representatives' Congressional Hispanic Conference former executive director; the Republican National Committee's Hispanic Advisory Board member; George W. Bush administration's presidential appointee; House Republican Conference Chairman Rep. J.C. Watts' deputy director of coalitions and outreach; and California and Virginia campaigns staffer. Mario's most recent achievement was founding, in April 2008, the Hispanic Leadership Fund, where he currently serves as president. This group is the first non-partisan, national Latino advocacy organization run by political and public policy professionals that promotes limited government, individual liberty, and free enterprise. “I make sure that we are developing in a way that furthers our goal of expanding the conservative base to include more Latinos,” Mario explained. “The Leadership Institute helped me gain a foot into the door in Washington by helping with job searches and career development, and LI continues to help me guide our organization to new heights,” Mario said. “I am a lifelong conservative and have always been passionate about making sure that the free enterprise, limited government message reaches new audiences. The Leadership Institute has helped me carry out that mission through the Hispanic Leadership Fund.” Before founding the Hispanic Leadership Fund, Mario was tapped to serve as executive director of the U.S. House of Representatives Congressional Hispanic Conference, where he served as liaison to the White House, executive branch agencies, the private sector, and public policy groups. This group comprised of between eight and 16 Members of Congress who together promoted legislation and policy that sought to foster Hispanic prosperity through free enterprise and traditional values. House Republican Conference Coalitions and Outreach Director Rick Manning said in October 2009, “Mario understands the big picture, and he is extraordinary at translating that understanding to action. It is just a matter of time before Mario is one of the most influential people in Republican politics.” Just two-and-a-half years later, influence marks Mario. Just last month, the Hispanic Leadership Fund was permitted to intervene as a defendant in U.S. Representative Chris Van Hollen's (D-MD) lawsuit against the Federal Election Commission. After the U.S. District Court's DC decision, Mario's defense challenged the FEC's donor disclosure rules to protect First Amendment rights. Mario said, “We are glad that the Hispanic Leadership Fund can be at the forefront of protecting the First Amendment rights of our members and all who seek to inform the American public about political candidates and their positions on issues. We will continue to oppose liberal attempts to force federal courts to impose rules restricting free speech. ” Mario has taken seven LI trainings, including the High-Dollar Fundraising School, Online Fundraising Workshop, Introduction to TV Techniques, On-Camera TV Workshop, Blogging Workshop, and Campaign Management School. “The points I learned during the TV training in particular always stick in my mind every time I do an on-camera media interview,” Mario said. “The trainers did a wonderful job instilling the sometimes subtle, but always crucial points on how to make sure you are communicating effectively with the audience, and how to deal with the sometimes intimidating world of live television.” Mario has appeared in numerous English and Spanish language print, television, radio, and online outlets, and been quoted by Fox News, the Washington Post, the Weekly Standard, and Terra Colombia – to name just a few media outlets. Mario is a graduate of The Fund for American Studies' Institute on Political Journalism and earned his bachelor's degree in political science from the University of San Diego. He performed graduate work at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles in both political science and the Master of Professional Writing programs. “One thing that has always stood out to me is Morton's Laws of the Public Policy Process. I've read those points a few dozen times over the years, and it is always interesting just how many times I've been dealing with an issue or making a decision about what course of action to take. Inevitably, one or more of the laws always apply. The Laws of the Public Policy Process shed a succinct light on how to succeed in politics and public policy,” Mario said. “The training provided by the Leadership Institute is invaluable,” Mario said. “LI training provokes thought, open doors, and makes sure you are prepared to win, and win the right way. Even folks with experience will always end up with important takeaways.” Mario shares his expertise as a faculty member at LI's Campaign Management Schools. You too can take the same TV training Mario did and attend LI's Future Candidate School. To nominate a Leadership Institute graduate to be featured as LI's graduate of the week, please contact LI's External Affairs Officer Lauren Hart at LaurenHart@LeadershipInstitute.org.

Leadership Institute staff and interns will be working the American Conservative Union's Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) Thursday—Saturday at the Marriott Wardman Park hotel in Washington, D.C.As a CPAC sponsor the Leadership Institute has two booths—on the mezzanine level and in the exhibit hall—where you can stop by to:- Take a picture with a friend or two with a CPAC picture frame of you and your buddies inside- Sign up for our emails- Buy an Adam Smith tie or scarf- Chat with LI staffLI will also offer seven trainings throughout CPAC in Wilson AB room:- How to Raise Money…the Easy Way—Thursday, Feb. 9 from 9:30 – 11:30 a.m.- Getting Your Message Heard—Thursday, Feb. 9 from 12 – 2 p.m.- Landing a Conservative Job—Thursday, Feb. 9 from 2:30—4:30 p.m.- Rules for Radicals—Friday, Feb. 10 from 10—11 a.m.- Public Speaking Workshop—Friday, Feb. 10 from 12—2 p.m.- Video Activism: Tips of the Trade—Friday, Feb. 10 from 2:30—4:30 p.m.- GOTV: Creating a Winning Ground Game—Saturday, Feb. 11 from 12-2 p.m. LI's ConservativeJobs.com is hosting the CPAC Job and Internship Fair Saturday, Feb. 11 from 10 a.m. until noon in the Maryland Ballroom. More than 25 organizations will be recruiting for full-time staff and intern positions, so make sure to bring copies of your resume. For more information about LI's events and locations during CPAC, please go here.>

With the start of 2012, now is the time to finally follow through on your New Year's resolutions. And if you are unemployed or wanting to make a change, finding a new career may be your most important goal this year.If you have been on the job hunt for awhile, don't despair! There are lots of strategies to try. Create a profile and search for employment on ConservativeJobs.com, peruse other job listings such as the Heritage Job Bank and America's Future Foundation's Career Center, and ask people in your social network if they have “the scoop” on any new jobs.In conjunction with your personal job search, your next best bet at landing a position is to look for career fairs within your local community. These fairs bring together recruiters from a multitude of organizations, often connecting jobseekers directly with those who do the hiring. They provide a fantastic forum to learn more about career opportunities, introduce yourself to recruiters, and form connections with those who work for the organization. To make the most of your time at a job fair, here are some things to keep in mind.1. You can never be too prepared! Do your research and find out which organizations will be in attendance. Visit their official websites, be familiar with their mission statements and goals, and have questions ready to ask recruiters. Not only will they be impressed by your knowledge, but they will see that you have a genuine interest in their work.2. Treat the job fair as your first interview with organizations. First impressions do count. Dress professionally in business attire and don't forget to bring multiple copies of your resume. Some organizations may have immediate openings and recruiters will request your resume. Note: The Leadership Institute offers free, in-depth resume reviews. Contact the Conservative Jobs team at Jobseekers@limail.us for more information.3. Don't be shy! Introduce yourself to the recruiters and don't be afraid to ask them questions. They are there to promote their organizations and are on the lookout for potential employees. Inquire about open positions and find out the proper way to apply. The information you gain from a recruiter may give you the extra edge in the application process!4. Follow up with recruiters after your initial meeting. Send them a note thanking them for attending the job fair and speaking with you. Reaffirm your interest in their organization and let them know if you will be applying for a position. This little bit of effort on your part will go a long way!Ready to put this advice into practice? The Leadership Institute is hosting the CPAC 2012 Job and Internship Fair this Saturday, February 11, bringing you face-to-face with recruiters from top conservative organizations based in the D.C. area and beyond. Take advantage of this opportunity and revamp your approach to pursuing employment this year. It may get you the job!>

Last week 42 campaign managers, future candidates, and conservative activists of all sorts flocked to the Leadership Institute in Arlington, VA to learn from campaign experts at LI's Campaign Management School (CMS).Over the course of four days and 25 training lectures, motivated conservatives acquired the tools needed to organize, finance, and run successful campaigns.Lisa Fitzhugh works for Maryland State Senator and Former Minority Leader Nancy Jacobs, who is running to represent citizens in Maryland's Congressional district 2 to defeat Dutch Ruppersberger. “I so appreciate the respect this training has for us and our ability to increase the conservative message in our communities,” Lisa said. “Campaigns are notorious for being fast-paced, and the value this training brings to our campaigns is immeasurable. It gives us the tools to get our message across.”On the first day of the CMS, attendees learned how to use opposition research to their advantage, write and develop campaign plans, finance a campaign, develop an effective message, and decipher polling data.Mike Allen is a veteran of the U.S. Army, serving as a command sergeant major and currently serves as a campaign manager in Georgia's district 12. Mike was asked by his candidate to become the manager of his campaign, a career shift that required him to quit his previous job.“As this is my very first time involved in campaigning, I came to this school to find the baseline for what I should be doing and implementing,” he said. “I just wish I'd come before.”On Day 2, the CMS lectures focused on targeting and calculating vote goals, building coalitions, grassroots machines, door-to-door campaigning, and contacting voters via phone banks. LI President Morton Blackwell also delivered a comprehensive lecture on handling negative information to protect your candidate's image.“To deflect negative attacks against you or your candidate, your aim is to end the usefulness of the story against you as soon as possible,” Morton said. He then proceeded to list six strategies to extinguish the negative accusations.While the CMS focuses on campaigning, the principles can be applied to other types of activism. Three attendees, Les Riley, Gualberto Garcia Jones, and Drew Hymer, work with affiliates of Personhood USA.“The lectures provide good information on grassroots mobilization and getting people involved,” said Les, who founded Personhood Mississippi and drafted the legal language for an initiative that would seek to define the unborn as “persons” in the state constitution. His “Personhood Amendment” has already amassed more than 130,000 signatures and gained the support of former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee.Similarly, Lisa Donovan, vice chair of the Upstate Conservative Coalition in New York, is launching a grassroots effort to fight unfunded mandates in her state and mobilize people to overturn regulations that she believes are placed unfairly upon her state without proper access to funding.“The Campaign Management School gives a good overview of what's important for activism,” Lisa said. “I've been so impressed by the faculty. They're so knowledgeable and experienced.”Day 3 of the CMS covered topics such as writing a finance plan, recruiting a finance committee, asking for donations, fundraising with events, direct mail fundraising, establishing a voter registration plan, running an absentee voting program, and planning a ground game for getting out the vote (GOTV).“I think anyone who is serious about running for office should go through LI's Campaign Management and Future Candidate schools, as well as the TV trainings,” said Jacob Turk, who is running for U.S. Congress as a Republican from Missouri's 5th district. “What you learn during the CMS will help you be a much better candidate and run a much better campaign.”On the final day of the CMS attendees learned about the latest campaign technologies, implementing a voter mail program, creating effective ads for paid media, hiring and firing consultants, the procedures for buying media space, tips and techniques for handling earned media, as well as completing and fine-tuning a winning strategy.The shift toward media focus was of particular interest to Chuck Paris, another veteran of the U.S. Army who is working to bring on-camera media training to combat veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.“Many veterans return from war and have trouble being personable,” Chuck said. “I want to train them to handle media, and these LI courses give me the credentials. I wouldn't spend my money and time if it wasn't superb.” Chuck has taken numerous courses with LI over the years, including public relations, new media, fundraising, legislative project management, and TV trainings.LI offers campaign training the first full week of every month. Check out the schedule here.>

Scooter Schaefer is on the front lines fighting liberal bias in the media every day. His turf: the internet. His work: communications marketing coordinator for the Media Research Center (MRC), a leader in documenting, exposing, and neutralizing liberal media bias. Scooter's special focus at MRC is a new project, which he describes as “a major drive to demand fair election coverage of the 2012 presidential election.” He added, “One key component to our fair election coverage campaign will be social media, which is where I come in.” Scooter is a graduate of four LI trainings, two of which were focused on new media. “I can attest that the Leadership Institute training I received is first-rate and has had a direct impact on my professional development,” Scooter explained. “While all of the classes have benefited me in one way or another," Scooter said, "the Comprehensive Online Activist School and New Media Workshop provided me with the training and tools I needed to take the next step into a career in social media and politics.” Scooter continued, “The training that LI provides is unique in that they offer real and effective political training by conservative leaders in the movement. There is no better place to receive interactive, hands-on political training from experienced conservative leaders than the Leadership Institute.” “As a young activist hoping to break into conservative politics in Washington D.C., the Leadership Institute provided me with practical and useful training as well as access to leaders in the conservative movement,” Scooter said. Of course, Scooter did not always dream of a move to Washington, D.C. and a career in politics. “I grew up in a small town in northern Minnesota, went to high school in Burlington, Vermont, and eventually settled in the D.C. metro area after attending college at George Mason University,” he said. After a post-graduation backpacking trip through Europe with his wife, Scooter came home with a “new-found appreciation for America,” and ended up working for a Member of Congress, as director of communications for ProEnglish, and – ultimately – the Media Research Center, where he can combine his interest in politics and social media. You too can take the same training as Scooter by attending this Wednesday's Advanced New Media Workshop: Campaigns offered at LI's Arlington, VA office. Or you can register for LI's Comprehensive Online Activist School February 27-28. LI's New Media Training Coordinator Carol Wehe said, “LI's expert new media faculty are founders of digital technology consulting firms, presidential campaign staffers, and consultants with first-hand political experience. Scooter and many other LI graduates have grown careers and expanded the conservative movement through strategies they learned at trainings like the Comprehensive Online Activist School and Advanced New Media Workshop.” Want to jumpstart your career in politics like Scooter? Scooter credits LI's ConservativeJobs.com resource for his career in politics and social media. “For any young conservative activist eager to get involved in politics, ConservativeJobs is a critical job placement service and resource that should not be passed up,” Scooter said. “ConservativeJobs not only helped me land my first internship, but it has helped me progress in each stage of my career in conservative politics.” ConservativeJobs.com is where employers and jobseekers connect online. Employers post openings and search for conservative employees using the resume database and robust 200-question public policy questionnaire, at no cost to either employers or jobseekers. Create your jobseeker or employer account today. Contact LI's Director of Employment Placement Service Emily Miller for questions. To nominate a Leadership Institute graduate to be featured as LI's graduate of the week, please contact LI's External Affairs Officer Lauren Hart at LaurenHart@LeadershipInstitute.org.

Eugene H. Methvin, a member of the Leadership Institute's Board of Directors for 10 years, passed away at his home in McLean, Virginia on January 19, 2012.Gene dedicated his life to fight against the evils of communism, crime, and corruption. Over his 42-year career, Eugene contributed more than 100 articles to the Reader's Digest on topics ranging from the U.S. Supreme Court, civil liberties and constitutional law, the U.S. defense posture, Kremlin politics, and U.S.-Soviet relations. His articles on organized crime in Reader's Digest led to the passage of the Organized Crime Control Act of 1970. In 1983, President Ronald Reagan appointed Gene to the President's Commission on Organized Crime as one of its 19 members. Eugene directed the commission's investigation and hearings on labor-management racketeering.Starting in the mid 1960s, he was a great personal mentor of Morton Blackwell, who founded LI in 1979.Gene was author of Rise of Radicalism, one of the Leadership Institute's Read to Lead books. In the book, Eugene examines what might be called the fundamentals of leftism: propaganda, confrontation, organization, and violence.“I consider myself fortunate to have been allowed to play the piccolo in the great parade of American democracy for nearly half a century,” Gene wrote before his death. “During that time, the American people defeated and brought down two evil empires: the Teamsters Union and the Soviet Union, and I and my piccolo had a hand in both. That is enough for me.”He is survived by two daughters, Helen Methvin Payne, an architect, and Claudia Methvin, a physician; and two granddaughters.Funeral services will be held at Immanuel Presbyterian Church, 1125 Savile Lane, McLean, VA on Saturday, January 28 at 2 p.m. He will be interred in Vienna, Georgia.The following is from Gene's official biography:Eugene was born on September 19, 1934 in Vienna, Georgia to a family in the newspaper business. His parents published a country weekly, The Vienna News, where Eugene began his journalism education by sleeping on a bale of newsprint every Thursday night while his parents met the weekly deadline.At the age of four, Eugene got into bucket of ink behind the family's flatbed cylinder press, and not even a gasoline bath could get all the printer's ink out of him. At the age of five Eugene became a reporter, even before he learned to write. The youngster would walk around his hometown asking residents to write down their news for him.Eugene graduated cum laude from the University of Georgia's Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication in 1955. He went on to be a pilot for three years in the U.S. Air Force before joining the Washington Daily News as a general assignment in 1958. Later, Eugene did graduate study in philosophy and international relations at the Youngstown, American, and George Washington Universities before joining the staff at Reader's Digest in 1960.With more than four decades with the monthly magazine Reader's Digest, Eugene served as associate editor and then senior editor of the bureau in Washington, D.C. After his retirement in 1996, he continued to serve as a contributing editor.In 1995, the Washington D.C. chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists named Eugene to its “Hall of Fame” for “exemplary professional achievements, outstanding service to other members of the profession, and lifelong dedication to the highest standards of journalism.”Leadership Institute staff and supporters thank Gene for his 10 years of service, and mourn his loss.>

City Councilman for the City of Naples Sam Saad, III brings a wealth of experience with him to the job: attorney; business entrepreneur and owner; former presidential campaigner; and political appointee for the Department of Labor, among others jobs working for Members of Congress and a governor. “We have wonderful people and wonderful potential in our town,” Sam said. “It is my goal to ensure that Naples remains THE premier place to live, work, and raise a family—today and tomorrow.” Sam's main focus, he says, is economic development in the downtown area. “Specifically, I am working to reduce fees, permitting times, and zoning issues so that Naples is a more attractive place to invest.” Sam took LI's Campaign Leadership School in November of 1995. “Going to the Leadership Institute's Campaign Leadership School was the jumping off point from volunteer to professional campaigner,” Sam said. “I use those skills to manage my business and my political office.” When asked about the Institute's programs, Sam said: “LI training is INVALUABLE. It is essential for success in politics whether an elected official or an activist.” “The part I remember and use the most are list management and GOTV,” Sam said. “I always worked in the field operations part of campaigns and I am pretty good with an Excel spreadsheet so I could create walk lists and manage the ‘sign war'.” Sam is the owner of a real estate and business law practice, Sam J. Saad III, PA, which provides general legal advice and tax planning to small business owners. Before starting his business, Sam was an attorney with Advocate Aircraft Taxation Co. in Naples. There he implemented tax planning strategies for aircraft owners, negotiated aircraft acquisition, financing and insurance terms. Before moving to Naples, Sam was a presidential appointee serving as special assistant to the Solicitor of Labor at the U.S. Department of Labor. Before that, Sam was coalitions, management and communications assistant on the Bush-Cheney 2004 reelection campaign. A graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Sam earned his bachelor's of science degree in business administration. He holds his Juris Doctorate (JD) from the Creighton University School of Law in Omaha, Nebraska. Sam has previously worked as a field operative for Bresow for Governor, an intern for Stenberg for Senate, and as an intern for Rep. Jon Christensen. Sam is involved with the local Naples business community as an executive member of the Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce and as an active participant in the Collier County Bar Association and Young Professionals of Naples. If you are interested in taking you're campaigning to the next level—from volunteer to professional campaigner or candidate—register for LI's campaign training. LI now offers campaign training every month for a full week. To nominate a Leadership Institute graduate to be featured as LI's graduate of the week, please contact LI's External Affairs Officer Lauren Hart at LaurenHart@LeadershipInstitute.org.

Brennan Ward joined the Leadership Institute's Grassroots department in April 2011, and on Tuesday was recognized by LI President Morton Blackwell as “Employee of the Quarter” at the all-staff meeting.“Brennan has helped to design several campaign training exercises which has given the Grassroots and Political Training departments a creative way to teach and engage students,” said Morton Blackwell. “He has been willing to take on any task given to him and has been a great asset to the team.”Brennan managed 20 different trainings ranging from Grassroots Activism to Campaign Management to Fundraising workshops. In nine months Brennan trained 856 students, giving up many a weekend for the road where he traveled weeks at a time.“I've seen parts of the country you'd otherwise never be able to see,” Brennan said. “I've trained conservatives from the Redwoods of Oregon to the coastlines of California to the cornfields of Iowa.” LI's Grassroots Activism School is the program closest to Brennan's heart because it allows him the opportunity to interact closely with voters and learn their viewpoints while networking with leading conservatives in the movement.“Grassroots activism is the building block for anyone preparing to pursue a career in politics,” Brennan said.LI's Senior Director of Domestic & International Programs Robert Arnakis said, “Brennan's work ethic and hustle helped the team exceed some pretty high goals. His positive attitude and ingenuity make working with him a pleasure. I'm happy to see his hard work be rewarded and recognized.” Danielle Hall, a LI student who attended LI's Grassroots Campaign and Activist training in Tacoma, WA said:“Brennan is very knowledgeable! I love his personal stories, and would definitely be interested in attending further classes with the Leadership Institute. I learned a ton of information, and I look forward to utilizing some newly acquired skills.” At age 10 Brennan got his start in politics. He campaigned with his grandmother who was a state representative in New Hampshire.He went on to receive his bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of New Hampshire and later obtained a master's degree in political management from The George Washington University.Before coming to LI, Brennan worked in polling and survey analysis. While working for Public Opinion Strategies, a leading polling company, Brennan organized campaign messages and monitored polls for candidates running for U.S. Congress and Senate. Brennan also worked for the Republican National Committee's Strategy Department as a staff member in political polling.If you would like to learn more about LI's Grassroots Department in 2011, click here.To see where LI trainings will be hosted in 2012, go here for the training schedule. >

Andrew McIndoe's commitment to conservative principles has been years in the making. Andrew, as a young twenty-something, has a resume with experience at Grove City's Center for Vision and Values, the Leadership Institute, Young America's Foundation, the Heritage Foundation, The Fund for American Studies, Charles G. Koch Charitable Foundation's Associate Program, and the Bill of Rights Institute, where he is currently a director of development. “Attending my first Leadership Institute's Youth Leadership School in 2002 led to my first job as a youth campaign coordinator in the most expensive congressional primary race in 2004,” Andrew said. “My first experiences in Washington, D.C. came to fruition because of my internship at the Leadership Institute. That summer served as a springboard for me in many ways.” Since 2002, Andrew has attended 22 Leadership Institute trainings. “When I was an intern at LI, during the summer of 2007 in Morton's office, I decided that I would try to attend every training that was offered during those few months,” Andrew explained. “LI interns didn't have to pay to attend trainings and we lived a few, short blocks away so learning how to win was a never-ending process.” “I love how LI trainings provide attendees with both the theoretical background information on a subject and the technical, pragmatic know-how that's important to delivering a victory for conservative causes,” Andrew said. “After attending a wide variety of schools, I felt much more well-rounded and prepared to engage in the fight.” Andrew said, “Be it direct mail, public relations, grassroots organizing, television training, or campaign management, I gained a much better understanding of how to be effective.” Interning at the Leadership Institute was “also my first exposure to the incredible network of generous people who choose to invest in shaping the next generation of liberty-minded leaders. Little did I know that I would end up working in this field professionally after college,” Andrew said. Following his LI internship, Andrew was a summer development intern at the Heritage Foundation and a summer Sarah T. Hermann Intern Scholar at Young America's Foundation. After college, Andrew participated in the Charles G. Koch Associate Program, a one-year competitive management training program, during which he worked at The Fund for American Studies as a development associate. Currently, Andrew is director of development for the Bill of Rights Institute, a non-profit organization that educates young people about the words and ideas of America's founders, the liberties guaranteed in the founding documents, and how the founding principles continue to shape our free society. “Working in development, I act as a philanthropic consultant, enabling generous people to achieve their charitable goals and reaching their dream of returning a Constitutional culture to the United States,” Andrew said. Andrew was born in Oak Ridge, North Carolina and graduated from Grove City College in 2010 with a degree in political science and entrepreneurship. At Grove City, Andrew was a marketing Koch fellow for Grove City's Center for Vision and Values, a free-market campus think tank. He also founded the Crimson Conservatives, a campus organization dedicated to advancing the principles of limited government, free enterprise, and individual freedom. Crimson Conservatives are affiliated with LI's Campus Leadership Program, which aids students in starting and maintaining conservative organizations on their campus. Andrew also made school history when he won a second, year-long term as executive president of the Student Government Association at Grove City College. “LI training is the best bang for your buck out there,” Andrew said. “The staff and faculty work hard to keep up with the ever-changing world of technology. The faculty members are great which means the thousands of Institute graduates are constantly learning from the best in the field." To nominate a Leadership Institute graduate to be featured as LI's graduate of the week, please contact LI's External Affairs Officer Lauren Hart at LaurenHart@LeadershipInstitute.org.

You made it. Your resume and cover letter were perfect, and now you are sitting in the hot seat at the office of your dreams. No pressure, but things can all go south in a matter of minutes if you haven't prepared for difficult interview questions. Check out the five difficult questions below and how to best answer them in an intelligent and concise manner. 1. Tell me about yourself. Many interviews begin with this softball of a question, so be prepared with a short and applicable answer. You should create a one-minute elevator speech that pertains to how your qualifications align with the potential job and employer. Do not dredge up some anecdote about your childhood unless you can successfully tie it to the job.2. What is your five-year plan? If you are just entering the job market, you might not have a clear plan. Or, even worse, the job you are interviewing for may not fall within your ideal five-year plan. How should you answer this question? One thing is clear: never say that you hope to be in the same job at the end of the five years. Show some ambition and tell the employer you want to advance in the company because you believe in the company's goals and ideals. Demonstrate your dedication to the company by explaining how you will use your experience to improve the company's image and bottom line.3. You seem to change careers frequently. Why should I hire you? If you are attempting to make a career change, this question will surely be asked by an employer. It's best to explain how your previous employment provided you with a diverse and unique skill set that qualifies you for the present job. Pick three skills from your previous work and describe how those qualities translate to the current job. If you have a compelling and applicable story of why you are changing careers, tell the recruiter why you are passionate about the new job and company.4. Why do you want to work for us? This is another softball question that can become a foul ball if you answer “Because I want to help people” or “Because I am the best candidate.” You should really capitalize on this question by doing your homework on the company before the interview. Give a specific example of an ongoing project at the company and how you are uniquely qualified to address that task. Your answers should be tailored to the company's current projects as much as possible. This tells the employer that you are already “in the know” about the organization.5. You don't have much experience in this field. What qualifies you for this position? Raise your hand if you hate this question. How do you gain experience if everyone only hires people with experience? Never fear, there is an answer for you. Mention your good grades and any applicable school experience that relates to the job. Most importantly, discuss how you want to learn the ropes at the company because of your dedication to its main goals. Tell the employer about your drive and determination to become a key player at the company. Don't forget to subtly mention that your starting salary will be lower than a more experienced person. What you may lack in experience you can make up in determination.So there you have it. Before walking into the interview, think about how to adopt these suggestions and craft your own answers. Remember that recruiters will be interviewing multiple candidates for the job, and your polished and prepared answers will immediately set you apart from other candidates. Getting the interview shows that you already demonstrated the qualifications for the job. Now sell your personality and determination with excellent responses!>

Hailing from the Golden State, the former California Republican Party chairman works to advance conservatives in leadership throughout the state, country, and world because he knows the value of liberty. The only child of German immigrant parents who experienced the Cold War, Ron appreciates the light and delight that the “City on the Hill” brings to the world.As California Republican Party (CRP) chairman, Ron and his team raised more than $73 million, permanently retired more $4 million in debt, and instituted a wide array of management and financial reforms in his four years before stepping down earlier this year due to term limits. “Leadership Institute training dramatically improves the effectiveness of any candidate, campaign staff member, or activist who attends. Every day I take the principles we teach at the Leadership Institute and put them into practice,” Ron said.“The Leadership Institute had a direct and very positive impact at every level of my career, starting with the very first LI training I attended as a 19-year-old College Republican in 1990,” Ron said. “While I studied political science in the classroom, the Leadership Institute taught me the value and importance of organization and communication, and how those skills directly contribute to individual success, as well as the advancement of the conservative movement.”Before he was chairman of the CRP, Ron served as chairman of the Republican Party of San Diego County “specifically because I said that if elected I would apply the campaign methodologies taught at the Leadership Institute. During my tenure, we did precisely that, and in the course of so doing we built one of the largest and most successful county Republican committees in America,” Ron explained. Ron took three LI trainings: Student Publications School in February 1990; Youth Leadership School in March 1990; and Broadcast Journalism School in June 1993.Ron has served as LI faculty at more than 33 trainings in the U.S. and abroad from places as various as Texas, Hawaii, England, Washington, D.C., Minnesota, California, Louisiana, Colorado, New York, Tennessee, and New Mexico.Ron is a past chairman of the Republican National Committee's State Chairmen's Committee.From 2005 to 2006 Ron was appointed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger as a member of the California Board of Forestry and Fire Protection. From 2004 to 2006, he was a member of the Grossmont Union High School District Board of Trustees, where he proposed a bold plan to transform all of the district's 11 high schools into charter schools to be managed by boards elected by parents of the children attending each school.In 2003, Ron was unanimously chosen by his peers to serve as president of the California Republican County Chairmen's Association. “I know my fellow chairmen appreciated how we institutionalized the sharing of information and political technology. I learned the importance of sharing such valuable information from my work with LI,” Ron said.During his term, the association took on major new roles in providing professional training and support for county chairmen, sharing information between counties, and serving as a strong advocate for increasing support for volunteers through 58 county committees.“When I moved to San Diego in 2000 we held a Leadership Institute school in San Diego, and I invited local activists to participate,” Ron said. “A few months later, when a change of leadership was coming to the county Republican Party, I was recruited to run for chairman, and I developed a plan for the county party based on what we teach at the Leadership Institute. I was elected by acclamation, and we put those plans into action.”In 2001, when Ron was elected chairman of the Republican Party of San Diego unanimously, the county was one of America's largest counties with a population exceeding more than a dozen states. During his chairmanship: fundraising increased more than twenty-fold; support for local candidates surged; and the party pioneered the largest, ongoing Republican voter turnout program in California. Ron inherited a committee long in debt, and through a combination of strong fundraising and solid financial management, he left it with large cash reserves and debt-free.Ron is a former president of his College Republican club, and is a first generation American born here in the Land of the Free.“I'm the only child of two German immigrant parents. My father was a sailor in the German merchant marines, and when he left at age 26 he decided that of all the places he had seen as a sailor, he most wanted to raise a family in the freedom he saw defined America,” Ron reflected.“During the Cold War, my parents watched as Germany remained divided and the East was dominated by the Soviet Union. My father saw little difference in between the socialists in Europe and the Democrats here in America in that both groups wanted government prerogative to supplant individual liberty,” Ron said.“When I got to the State University of New York at Stony Brook, I immediately joined the College Republicans and while there, I learned of the Leadership Institute,” Ron said. “I traveled to Washington the next year to attend my first LI school,” Ron remembered. “It was at this first training that I met Morton Blackwell and my first LI faculty, and I finally felt like there were others in the country who shared my conservative ideas, and more importantly, wanted to teach me how to win. I was hooked.”Come get “hooked” on how to win like Ron was by registering for an upcoming Leadership Institute training. Ron might even be one of your faculty members.“The best part about teaching at Leadership Institute trainings is the people who attend – both the participants, and the faculty. LI training becomes a one- or two-day learning and networking event benefitting everyone in the room,” Ron said. “I really enjoy meeting the candidates, activists, and future campaign staff who take the time to attend and learn what it takes to win,” he continued. “By being there, they've already shown they have a level of commitment and they recognize the importance of organizing and communicating so we can leave prepared to defeat the left.” To nominate a Leadership Institute graduate to be featured as LI's graduate of the week, please contact LI's External Affairs Officer Lauren Hart at LaurenHart@LeadershipInstitute.org.

The Leadership Institute's grassroots department of four men trained 4,127 conservatives in 103 trainings across 33 states this year in activism and candidate/campaign training.The grassroots department offers seven types of training: Campaign Management School; Communications Workshop; Custom Workshop; Fundraising Workshop; Future Candidate School; Get-Out-The-Vote Workshop; and Grassroots Activist School.“As I have traveled the country this year, I've gotten to meet so many great candidates running for office,” said Robert Arnakis, senior director of domestic and international programs. “They truly appreciate what our organization does in preparing them for effective leadership and activism.” “My best memory this year was working with my staff. Their energy and dedication to LI speaks volumes. Having traveled more than 180 days, this year was real tough, but my staff kept focused and their positive attitude got us through the months were we saw a hotel room more often than our homes. Working together we met every goal we set for 2011. This next year—2012—will be an interesting year for our department. We intend to stay very busy as the election approaches.”Grassroots Coordinator Chris Doss said, “Everywhere I go, I meet people who place great value on the history of our nation, the vision of our founders, the heritage of liberty going beyond the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence – going all the way back to Jamestown and even to the Magna Carta at Runnymeade. That is always a topic of conversation with the people who join us for our training programs.”Chris remembers one weekend where he met a descendent of Thomas Lord Fairfax, the highest ranking nobleman in British North America who he threw his lot with the Revolutionaries when the war for independence began. Lord Fairfax once owned much of what is now Northern Virginia, where the Leadership Institute is headquartered.“She took me into her front parlour, opened an old wooden box, and I was very soon holding in my own hands several 260-year-old deeds that had belonged to Thomas Lord Fairfax. The evening was an incredible lesson on America's early history, but told from the perspective of family history – by a family member of several of our nation's most notable families. I was mesmerized,” Chris remembered.Brennan Ward, grassroots coordinator, said: “This year was phenomenal; I got a chance to work with very enthusiastic and dedicated students all across the country, and a chance to teach with some of the best politicos in the business. I'm looking forward to what 2012 has in store for the grassroots department.”“Getting married was definitely the highlight of my year, but being a part of this team during this record-breaking year is a close second,” said Ryan Adams, grassroots activist schools coordinator. “My fondest training of the year was in Little Rock, AR," Ryan continued. "In the state of Arkansas, conservatives have a real chance to gain their first majority in the state government since the 1860's. I am happy to say I had some small part in that.”Robert said, “Wes Duncan, a retired Navy Jag Officer, is one of our students who attended several LI trainings. Wes is running for local office and I anticipate this will be the start of a long career in politics for him.” There are many LI graduates that go on to run for public office and run conservative campaigns.To see where LI trainings will be hosted in 2012, go here for the training schedule. >

In 2011 the Leadership Institute's Youth Leadership School, known as the “boot camp of politics,” trained 1,042 young conservatives – setting an all-time LI record for this department.This two-person YLS team trained 1,042 students in 33 trainings across 21 states this year.The Youth Leadership School is an intense, two-day training that teaches students to organize and lead mass-based youth efforts for the candidates and causes of their choice. The flagship training of the Institute launches more careers in politics than any other LI program. Notable YLS graduates include Senator Mitch McConnell; Tim Phillips, president of Americans for Prosperity; and Governor Terry Branstad of Iowa. The record-breaking year for the YLS department is thanks to LI's generous donors who support these programs and volunteer faculty who travel on weekends to share their expert political knowledge.“The YLS can be life-changing,” said Kent Strang, Youth Leadership School director. “I've seen former students elected to office, featured on print and broadcast media, run successful campaigns, and become colleagues. These success stories make every weekend away from my family well worth the effort.” In July, the largest in-house YLS took place with a record-breaking 129 students from 30 different states and four countries. These students represented 74 colleges and universities were represented, 20 different Capitol Hill offices, and 19 conservative organizations."The YLS gives young conservatives a skill set of time-tested and innovative campaign and organizational techniques they will use throughout their political career,” said Daryn Iwicki, Americans for Prosperity Foundation director of training and education. Daryn, a former YLS coordinator who worked for LI now volunteers his weekend time to continue training young conservatives. “By training over 1,000 students three of the last four years, our students will be a powerful force for liberty now and in the future.” This year the Leadership Institute announced its 100,000th student trained since 1979: Alejandro Capote. Alejandro, a Florida State University sophomore and recently naturalized US citizen, graduated from LI's Youth Leadership School first in July at the Arlington, VA training and then he organized a 35-person YLS on his college campus in Tallahassee, Florida October 15.At the Tallahassee training, Alejandro was named LI's 100,000th graduate. He receives free Institute training for life and a travel scholarship to any LI training in the U.S. in 2012.Meghan Swella, YLS coordinator, said, “I watch students eyes light up as we give them the tools to win for conservative principles and candidates. I love inspiring and motivating young conservatives through the YLS training.”In January 2012 alone there are four scheduled YLS trainings in Pullman, Washington; Newark, Ohio; Las Vegas, Nevada; and Mexico City, Mexico. Sign up for the Youth Leadership School. Spread the word and get involved in local politics on campus and in your community.>

Frank Scaturro is no ordinary candidate. Born to an Italian immigrant who made the American Dream reality as an entrepreneur, his son Frank knows the value of hard work and high ethics. These principles drive Frank to restore freedom back to the citizens and businesses of Long Island and away from the federal government. Conserving liberty is why Frank is running for Congress. “In New York, it's still early in the campaign season, so I will typically make lots of phone calls to actual and potential supporters during business hours when I am not handling case work or attending an event,” Frank said. Frank is active in his community, and one can often find him distributing clothing and supplies to veterans or talking to seniors about the Constitution or speaking at Kiwanis clubs, chambers of commerce, historical-preservation groups, or Republican women's clubs. When the weather warms, Frank is out knocking doors and greeting voters. In August 2008 Frank attended LI training in St. Paul, Minnesota where he learned grassroots lobbying and campaign management tactics, such as: campaign plans, messaging, voter ID, and debating. Frank's campaign Communications Director Akeem Mellis is also an LI graduate, taking a Grassroots Communications Workshop and a Campus Action Workshop. “The Leadership Institute provides the kind of training that is indispensable to winning a competitive election,” Frank said. “There are so many impressive policy think tanks out there that deal with policy, but the Leadership Institute is unique in devoting itself to process—a dimension of education that is necessary for us to be in a position to build a better future through public policy.” For Frank, Congress isn't something new; this legislative body captivated him at age seven. “My candidacy marks a natural progression from the moment I was captivated by American history at age 7 to my more recent opportunities for public service and scholarship,” Frank said. Born in New York City in 1972, Frank, the Eagle Scout, worked hard at his high school summer jobs: restaurant busboy; store cashier; high school maintenance help. Interestingly, in college (1993) Frank interned for Rep. David Levy, who represented NY's 4th congressional district, the seat for which Frank is currently seeking. “I had my first opportunity to encounter Congress from the outside while I was studying at Columbia University during the early 1990's. I volunteered with the National Park Service nearby at President Ulysses S. Grant's Tomb and discovered a level of desecration and neglect that I considered a national disgrace,” Frank remembered. “In the face of the bureaucracy's unwillingness to remedy the problem, I pursued the general public and the New York congressional delegation so that we could secure a restoration of the monument by its 1997 Centennial,” Frank said. He founded a non-profit organization, the Grant Monument Association, which served as an outlet for citizen support for the monument and a source of education on the life and legacy of President Grant. By 1997, his many reports and memos were answered with a $1.8 million face-lift. Victory! After law school, Frank worked as an attorney in private practice while continuing to pursue truth in the fields of history and law by taking every opportunity to publish. What emerged was one study on the civil rights amendments to the Constitution and a volume he co-authored on how to be a responsible public company in the wake of the corporate scandals of the early part of the last decade. Following private practice, Frank served more than four years as counsel to the Senate Judiciary Committee, where he handled constitutional law matters and judicial nominations, including the confirmation of Chief Justice John Roberts and Associate Justice Samuel Alito. Frank also served as a visiting professor at Hofstra Law School, where he taught courses on the legislative process and constitutional law. This year he joined the law firm FSB FisherBroyles, which puts “the traditional law firm structure in a clean room and dismantles it. This new law firm 2.0 model discards costly inefficiencies such as expensive overhead, inexperienced attorneys, and the multi-layered approach to delivery of services,” according to their website. But now it's time for Frank's next stage of public policy: running a New York congressional campaign. “The Leadership Institute training I attended was certainly helpful in refining strategies for walking neighborhoods and targeting voters,” Frank said. “I had been involved in dozens of campaigns since high school, and my district is conducive to traditional forms of campaigning like walk-through canvassing, phone banks, and signs.” Frank continues, “LI keeps up to date on the best of the new technology and combines it with the best advice on perfecting traditional methods of voter outreach. It has left me that much more aware of the inexpensive methods that are available to connect with voters and even to register new ones.” “My only regret is that my schedule did not permit me to attend LI's week-long candidate school,” Frank said. If you are considering a bid for office or ready to run a conservative's campaign, considering coming to LI's next campaign training Monday, Jan. 30 through Thursday, Feb. 2. For more information, go here. Please welcome Frank Scaturro as LI's Graduate of the Week. To nominate a Leadership Institute graduate to be featured as LI's graduate of the week, please contact LI's External Affairs Officer Lauren Hart at LaurenHart@LeadershipInstitute.org.

Every year across America thousands of people run for public office. Many lose, and do so from common errors that can be avoided by learning from campaign experts. This week 28 conservatives gathered at the Leadership Institute's Future Candidate School to learn effective campaign techniques as they consider a bid for public office. This training helps conservatives thoughtfully consider and proactively strategize their campaign aspirations as well as encourage them to plan ahead. The training began with a day dedicated entirely to candidate development. Holly Davis, co-founder and vice president of Gauge Market Research started it off with a simple question—“Are you ready to run?”For four days attendees learned from expert faculty about what it takes to run a stronger and more effective campaign. Faculty included Stephen Clouse of Stephen Clouse & Associates, Inc., Tyler Harper of The Prosper Group, and Rebecca Norman of The Richard Norman Company.The remaining three days covered topics such as: coalitions, fundraising, polling, developing a message, and others. These lectures required future candidates to ask themselves what they can do to put themselves on the right path to get elected.John Paul Wagemann is running again for the Washington State House of Representatives in the 28th district. He lost by around 600 votes with no campaign training.“My original plan was not as well-written as it could have been. All four days of LI training reinforced the importance of having a solid plan going into a campaign,” John said.John says the lectures on the Leesburg Grid and public speaking were particularly encouraging. “I learned much more about public speaking and how to articulate what is important to me and my constituents,” John said.“We know conservatism is right, but we need to package it correctly so people will want to listen," John continued. "These lectures made it clear how skillful the opposing side is. Conservatives can often get caught up in fighting over what doesn't matter—we need to focus!”Recently elected Virginia Delegate Mike Watson, a former LI graduate who took eight trainings at the Institute, closed the training by sharing his candidacy story.“I went to the Future Candidate School first, and a few months later attended the week-long Campaign Management School. There, I was surrounded by people who wanted to be campaign managers, and I ended up hiring one of them: Annette James. We had an LI team going. We'd had the same training, so we were on the same page, and we won! You can do it too,” Mike encouraged.“I am horrible on TV, so I went to LI's workshop and the on-camera training, and improved in debates and public speeches. I was calm, cool, and collected during debates. I had a smile, my arm on the table, and was turned toward the other person when things got heated—all thanks to my training at the Leadership Institute. Go to as many trainings as you can. Equip yourself for the fight ahead,” Mike closed.Want to attend a Future Candidate School? To register for this and other LI programs, go here.>

Yesterday 43 people braved the wind and the rain to hear Mark Mix, the president of the National Right to Work Committee and National Right to Work Foundation, who spoke at the Leadership Institute's December Wednesday Wake-Up Club Breakfast.Mark Mix credits the Leadership Institute's techniques with his start in politics. He said a member of a conservative campus group at his college stood in front of a table, shook his hand, and invited him to their meeting.In the following years, Mark went on to take LI's Legislative Project Management School, newspaper training, television training and other Institute trainings he could make. “I probably have more LI diplomas than most,” he joked.Standing before conservatives and supporters of the Institute, Mark spoke about his organization's efforts to establish right to work laws across the nation.“The First Amendment says you have the right to associate. Since 1935, however, we have allowed private organizations to force workers to associate as terms of employment. Having a right to associate presupposes the right not to associate. …How is it that a private organization that represents only 6.9 percent of the private sector has the loudest voice on Capitol Hill?” he said.But, Mark noted, it is important to recognize that the National Right to Work Committee is not against unions, but against forcing employees to join a union as terms of employment. “We protect the right for people to join a union. It is an important right. But we cannot give [union leaders] monopoly power,” Mark said.While a serious issue, Mark ended on a positive note, saying: “You can't overlook what's happening in Wisconsin and Ohio. Compulsory behavior is in the last throes of a [failed institution]…in ten years or so, I think we will see the end of compulsory organized labor.”Didn't make it to the Wednesday Wake-Up Club Breakfast? Watch the video here.Next month's speaker will be Dr. Paul Teller, executive director of the Republican Study Committee. To register for this and other LI programs and schools, go here.>

Rachel Hoff's passion for politics and international affairs has been a journey in the making, and is certainly quite distinguishable. A daughter of expatriates, who worked in Japan, Rachel attended Tufts University and then went to work for the American Enterprise Institute, United States Congress, National Republican Congressional Committee, and, now, at the Foreign Policy Initiative as director of government relations & outreach. “Leadership Institute training was absolutely formative in the early stages of my career,” Rachel said. “The lessons I learned at LI schools taught me how to do the leadership positions I held in the Young Republicans as national field director and director of media relations. Working hard at these volunteer positions during my first several years in Washington propelled my professional journey in a way that focusing solely on my day jobs could never have done,” Rachel said. Rachel was born in Japan and grew up near Tokyo as her parents taught at the U.S. military base school. After high school graduation in Japan, Rachel attended Tufts near Boston, where she majored in political science and philosophy and was an active member of the Tufts College Republicans. And so began the integration of her international experiences living abroad, her formal political education, and her hands-on political training and experience. Rachel attended LI's Youth Leadership School in August 2004, directly before entering her first full-time job in Washington at the American Enterprise Institute (AEI). “The YLS I attended in 2004 taught me everything I know about organizing youth politics – how to recruit, organize, and mobilize young people for the conservative cause,” Rachel recalls. Several months later, Rachel began as the Foreign and Defense Policy Studies research assistant at AEI working on issues in the Middle East, democracy promotion, counterterrorism strategies, and weapons nonproliferation. She was at AEI for two years before heading to Capitol Hill to work as a legislative assistant and research analyst in the U.S. House of Representatives for Rep. Mac Thornberry (R-Texas), for whom she focused on foreign affairs and national security issues. After almost two years on the Hill, Rachel joined the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC), where she worked as a media coordinator in the independent expenditures unit. At the NRCC, Rachel coordinated a $20-million program of TV, radio, and mail advertising in 35 congressional districts around the country. A half-year later, Rachel moved to her current role at the Foreign Policy Initiative (FPI), where she's been since February 2009. As the director of government relations and outreach, Rachel is responsible for outreach to Capitol Hill, candidates, media, and like-minded organizations. She runs all of FPI's public events, from major conferences to young professionals programs in Washington, D.C. and New York. She also directs the FPI Future Leaders Program, which identifies and cultivates 20 rising foreign policy leaders annually. When asked about Institute programs, Rachel said, “LI training is conservative boot camp! This training is absolutely necessary for any aspiring young leader on the right.” A big believer in LI training, Rachel worked with LI staff to bring a Grassroots Communications Workshop to the Young Republicans National Conference in April 2006, where she managed conference logistics. Rachel has volunteered her time as an LI faculty member since 2009. Just last month she taught at LI's Conservative Career Workshop about her experience in Washington. Rachel shared how her career started and how to successfully climb the “ladder” of political careers. It was the fourth Conservative Career Workshop from LI at which she's spoken. “LI offers young conservatives a solid grounding in proven, time-tested techniques along with fresh, contemporary approaches across the spectrum of political work, all taught by some of the finest practitioners and operators on the right,” Rachel said. Please welcome Rachel Hoff as LI's Graduate and Faculty of the Week. To nominate a Leadership Institute graduate to be featured as LI's graduate of the week, please contact LI's External Affairs Officer Lauren Hart at LaurenHart@LeadershipInstitute.org.

The Phillips Foundation is now accepting applications for the 2012 Robert Novak Journalism Fellowship Program. Print and online journalists with less than 10 years of professional experience are eligible. The Foundation created this program to provide fellowships for writing projects by journalists who share its mission to advance constitutional principles, a democratic society and a vibrant free enterprise system.The Phillips Foundation awards $50,000 full-time and $25,000 part-time fellowships to undertake and complete a one-year project of the applicant's choosing focusing on journalism supportive of American culture and a free society. In addition, the Foundation offers separate year-long fellowships on the environment, on the benefits of free-market competition, and on law enforcement. There are also Alumni Fund Fellowships funded by donations from current and former Novak Fellows. Alumni Fund Fellowship winners write one magazine-length article on their topic.The Foundation is looking for journalism projects which are both original and publishable. The winners will deliver four quarterly writing installments with the potential to be published sequentially in a periodical or as a book.Applications must be postmarked by February 21, 2012. The winners will be announced next May at an awards dinner at the National Press Club in Washington. The starting date for the fellowships is September 1, 2012. Applicants must be citizens of the United States.For an application, visit www.novakfellowships.org, or contact: The Phillips Foundation, 1 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Suite 620, Washington, DC 20001. Phone: 202-677-4633. E-mail: info@thephillipsfoundation.org. The Foundation awarded nine fellowships in 2011:Full-time Fellowships• Meg McDonnell for “Marriage and Young Adults: Understanding the American Struggle to Get to ‘I do.'”• Jillian Melchior for “Cross Cultural China.”Part-time Fellowships• Max Borders for “Superwealth: Why We Should Stop Worrying About the ‘Gap' Between Rich and Poor and Start Celebrating Wealth Creation.”• Nathan Harden for “The Higher Ed Bubble: The Sad Sorry Story of How the Government Over-subsidized Student Loans and Produced a Generation of Under-educated, Over-credentialed, Debt-saddled Graduates Who Can't Find a Job.”• Daniel Indiviglio for “Fixing the U.S. Mortgage Market: How Less Government Will Make it Stronger and More Stable.”• John McCormack for “Citizens Divided: How the Supreme Court's 2010 Campaign Finance Ruling has Affected American Politics.”• Ashley McGuire for “The End of Women: The Cultural Disempowerment of Girls, College Students, Mothers and Poor Women.”Alumni Fund Fellowships• Tony Gonzalez for “Buying Barbecue Sauce by the Truckload: How Entrepreneurs Find Profit in the Uncertain World of Lost and Unclaimed Freight.”• Charles Johnson for “Enemies Domestic: An Investigation into the Appeasement of Evil by America's Colleges.”For a list of all 103 fellowship winners and their projects since inception of the program in 1994, visit www.novakfellowships.org. >

Richard Dur, the Leadership Institute's graduate of the week, helped bring home a victory for conservatives in Canada. “Your training and tutorship was absolutely invaluable. Thank you! Putting much of what I learned from and at LI made for a victory of the Wildrose Alliance Party in the 2009 Calgary-Glenmore By-election in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. It's a party that is now a real force in Alberta politics,” said Richard. Richard and another LI graduate, Tony Reznowski, teamed up to work on the successful campaign. Richard first came to the Leadership Institute in May 2008 for the week-long Campaign Manager School and then for the Internet Activist School. “LI graduate and Canadian Member of Parliament Rob Anders said it well when he described LI training as ‘taking a drink from a fire hose,'” Richard said. “I would encourage all conservative activists to take LI training, work on a campaign, take more training, and do more campaigns. This method I found grew my understanding of campaigns and increased my ability to put that understanding into practice.” Richard came back for more training in February 2009. He took LI's Political Voter Mail School and the week-long Campaign Manager School for a second time. “You're bound to learn something as LI teaches so very much, but bound to miss lots too given the sheer volume and density of the program,” Richard explained, “hence the benefit of taking the training several times, complemented with actual work on political campaigns.” When not campaigning, Richard manages his business, Blue Direct – Political Services, which provides consulting and telephone services for conservative candidates running for office at all levels and for conservative organizations across Canada. “Morton Blackwell's ‘The Laws of Public Policy Process' adorns my office wall,” Richard said, “and it has provided constant insight and guidance throughout my career.” Richard was born and raised in Alberta, Canada as the youngest of three children, and graduated from St. Mary's University College (Calgary). He and his wife Chantelle, pictured above, have two children. His family currently resides in Calgary. LI offers campaign training the first full week of every month. Come the week of December 5 for LI's Future Candidate School. LI has an International Leadership Training Seminar the week of December 11 in Arlington, VA. Contact LI's Director of International Programs Miguel Moreno at MMoreno@LImail.us for more details. To nominate a Leadership Institute graduate you know to be featured as LI's graduate of the week, please contact LI's External Affairs Officer Lauren Hart at LaurenHart@LeadershipInstitute.org.