It's not often that an online database generates interest and stirs passion, but the January posting of Michigan school districts' school employee health insurance costs did just that. Through FOIA requests, the Mackinac Center assembled the health insurance plans for more than 95 percent of the state's school districts into their School District Health Insurance Database. Some of the findings were eye-popping. For instance, the average cost of a family plan premium for a teacher is $15,800, which is 29% higher than the state average for the same type of plan. The database received extensive media coverage, and Lansing officials took notice as well. Several legislative offices contacted the Mackinac Center after hearing about the database, including that of the Senate Majority Leader who two weeks later introduced legislation that would require government employees to pay a greater share of their health care premiums."The Mackinac Center's innovative program to counter the 'gimme gimme gimme‘ demands of public school employees is a model other think tanks can apply in their states. By conducting careful and thorough research, and combining that with skilled advocacy in the court of public opinion, Mackinac may achieve the seemingly impossible:create a requirement for public school employees to pay a greater shareof their health care premiums. Taxpayers across Michigan should stand up and cheer," said John Kramer, SPNovation Judge and Vice President for Communications at the Institute for Justice.For more information on SPNovation Awards or to nominate a member organization, please visit www.spn.org/spnovation.>

Conservatives from Argentina, Bolivia, Mexico, Canada, Ireland, the Netherlands, Romania, USA, and Mongolia, arrived in Washington, DC to learn how to effectively defeat the radical Left. Travelling from as far away as Mongolia, these students attended the Leadership Institute's International Seminar, a power-packed training which gives foreign conservatives an opportunity to learn from their American counterparts. Over the course of a week, students learn how to effectively utilize the internet, television techniques, and traditional grassroots networking to advance conservative candidates and causes. The speakers included Bruce Eberle, Stephen Clouse, Mike Rothfield, and other great leaders in the conservative world. For over thirty years the Leadership Institute has worked with conservative leaders around the world to help increase the number and effectiveness of activists dedicated to limited government and personal responsibility. May's training continues an excellent year for the Leadership Institute's international Programs, with several additional International Seminars scheduled throughout the year.>

The Department of Political Training held a successful Comprehensive Online Activist School at the Institute on Monday, May 24, 2010. Students learned the “Dirty Dozen” social networking tools they can use to help their campaign or organization. They also learned how to blog, fundraise online, create and disseminate videos online, and how to purchase online ads via Google. Trainers included Rowena Paz, one of Google's political strategists, Chris Moody, new media director at the CATO Institute, and Dan Hayes from Reason TV.>

The Leadership Institute recently brought it's Campaign School to Canada. Working with several conservative activist groups including the Canadian Leadership Institute, LI trained dozens of candidates and activists over the course of the two-day training on May 22-23, 2010. LI faculty and staff received high praise and even got a standing ovation at the conclusion of the program.>

As part of the Western North Carolina Tea Party Summit, the Leadership Institute trained 60 students at an Activist School on Friday, May 21, 2010. Over 100 activists, campaign volunteers and staff, candidates, and political aficionados came together for a day and a half of campaign training at the Summit in Wilmington, North Carolina. The event was co-sponsored by the Civitas Institute and Americans for Prosperity North Carolina.>

Don't miss the early registration discount for LI's June 4th Television Workshop: Introduction to Techniques. In this half-day introductory workshop, expert media trainers teach you the fundamentals of looking and sounding good on television. You learn how to look, move, and sound your best in order to communicate your conservative message on TV. Sign up by May 28th to receive $11.00 off the regular price of $75.00. Register today!>

On Tuesday, May 25, 2010, LibertyCentral.org will officially launch. LibertyCentral.org will harness the power of citizen voices, inform everyday Americans with knowledge, and activate them to preserve liberty. Some features you will find in this online community include inspirational videos and testimonials from everyday activists, a series of issue briefs on today's biggest threats to limited government, engaging educational resources, tools, and webinars, and suggestions for easy activism. The time to make a difference is now, and Liberty Central wants to show you how.

LI's Conservative Intern Workshop teaches interns how to maximize their time in Washington. Current and future interns will learn how to become an unforgettable asset, network effectively, survive DC on an intern's budget, and develop personally and professionally. This day-long workshop is free of charge. It includes a free lunch, a free dinner and course materials. This summer's Conservative Intern Workshop will be held Thursday, June 3rd at LI's Steven P.J. Wood Building in Arlington, VA. Reserve your spot today!

The Competitive Enterprise Institute and Bureaucrash will host the 2010 Student Activism Conference on June 23-24, 2010. The conference will be held at the Competitive Enterprise Institute headquarters in DC. Scheduled speakers include Fred L. Smith Jr., Ryan Young, and Brendan Steinhauser. Details on the competition can be found at http://cei.org/bsacc-2010.

LI's Department of Political Training held a successful Campaign Workshop at the institute on Saturday, May 15, 2010. Students learned the “Dirty Dozen” social networking tools they can use to help their organization. They also learned public speaking skills and effective voter outreach tools. Former local candidates Aaron Ringel and Samantha Vanterpool Rucker trained at the workshop along with LI's own Director of Political Training, Christopher Malagisi, who presented new media tools and applications.>

LI's Public Relations School teaches you how to create favorable coverage for your organization and your cause. Over the course of three nights, top conservative public relations experts teach you how to develop a comprehensive pr strategy. The next Public Relations School will be held on June 7-9, 2010 at LI headquarters in Arlington, VA. Register today! >

On Saturday, May 8, 2010, the Leadership Institute held a one-day training for tea party activists in the Chicago metroland area. Over 50 individuals gathered at the VFW in Riverside, Illinois to hear the latest and best tactics for running an effective grassroots campaign. For more information on the Leadership Institute's Grassroots Trainings or to request a school in your city, click here.>

Young America's Foundation will hold the annual National Conservative Student Conference at The George Washington University from August 2-7, 2010. This is an intensive six-day conference where students learn the principles and ideas that define conservatism from the Conservative Movement's best speakers. In addition, attendees get to network with like-minded college students from around the country. The Early Bird Deadline for registration is June 1st. For more inforamtion, email Roger Custer at rcuster@yaf.org or call 800-USA-1776.>

On Friday, May 14, 2010 at noon, the Conservative Women's Network Luncheon will feature Lala Mooney. In her talk titled "Just Back from Cuba: Why Women Want Freedom for Cuba" Lala will share the struggles and suffering her own family faced under Castro and discuss how to ensure freedom for the people of Cuba in the future. The luncheon is free of charge and will be held in the Lehrman Auditorium of The Heritage Foundation. Please RSVP to Camille Hart at 703-318-0730 by May 13.>

The 60 Plus Association will host a tribute dinner in honor of Jim Martin on Thursday, July 15, 2010 at the Liaison Hotel on Capitol Hill. Martin is stepping down after 18 years at the helm of the conservative seniors organization.Often viewed as the conservative alternative to the American Association of Retired Persons, 60 Plus Association is a leading grassroots organization that has long supported free enterprise, less government, and lower taxes for seniors.Individual tickets for the dinner are available now as well as sponsorship opportunities. To learn more, contact Stacie Rumenap at srumenap@60plus.org or 202-248-7052. >

The American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) recently released the third edition of “Rich States, Poor States,” which outlines the fiscal policies of all 50 states. This edition is particularly enlightening because it shows how states with rampant spending and high taxes have spiraled out of control during the current economic downturn. Conversely, states that have reigned in spending while also promoting pro-growth tax policies have done quite well. According to ALEC the five most-prosperous states are Utah, Colorado, Arizona, South Dakota, and Florida. California, Illinois, New Jersey, Vermont and New York are at the bottom. To see where your state is or to take a closer look at the overall research, go to www.alec.org and click on the “Rich States, Poor States” tab on the left side of the page.>

Senator Jim DeMint spoke to LI staff, faculty, graduates, and donors on the morning of May 5, 2010 at the Leadership Institute's Wednesday Wakeup Club Breakfast. He addressed the crowd of over 100 about the importance of electing conservatives to Congress in November. Senator DeMint also stressed the value of groups like the Leadership Institute who train newly engaged conservatives to be effective. To see Senator DeMint's entire talk, please click here.>

The Leadership Institute held its second Campaign Manager School of the year during the week of April 26-30, 2010. Fifty-nine students from around the United States, Japan, Nigeria, and Germany attended the training. LI's all-star lecturers taught students how to build coalitions, craft an effective message, and use technologies to get-out-the-vote in November. Additionally, over 40 students attended the corresponding Political Voter Mail Workshop on Tuesday evening, where they learned tips on creating and distributing effective political voter mail.>

Attend the Leadership Institute's renowned Youth Leadership School (YLS) in a city year near you! Join the ranks of Senator Mitch McConnell, Karl Rove, Congressman McHenry and 12,000 others who got their start at the YLS. Be the next conservative who learns to win for their candidates and causes. For more information on dates and locations click here or call 703-247-2000.>

Braving a spring Rockies blizzard and several closed highways, 26 students showed up for the Leadership Institute's latest Rocky Mountain Youth Leadership School in Laramie, Wyoming on Saturday and Sunday, April 24th and 25th. Although predominantly comprising students from the University of Wyoming, the school included parents, activists, students from other colleges, and one very brilliant home schooler. One student drove eight hours from Montana, and an LI donor drove over six hours from Utah to attend the training. The instructors were Michael Thompson from L.I.'s Campus Services Program and Christopher Doss from the Grassroots Training Division.>