April 7, 2010
The Frederick Douglass Foundation: Educating, Enhancing, and Empowering
On Friday, March 19, 2010, the Leadership Institute trained a dynamic group of national black conservative leaders and candidates at the Frederick Douglass Foundation's Leadership Summit in Washington, DC. Students learned how to develop their message, organize their grassroots, and raise the money needed to win in November. Please visit the Frederick Douglass Foundation's website to learn more about this incredible organization. Also check out this fascinating article on the challenges facing black conservatives.>
March 31, 2010
LI Takes Campaign School to Tennessee
On Saturday, March 27, 2010, the Leadership Institute brought their world-renowned training to the volunteer state, conducting a campaign school in Nashville, TN. Over 100 candidates, party activists, and movement conservatives learned how to win elections. The audience included multiple congressional candidates as well as a many state legislative and local candidates. Training was provided by LI staffer Robert Arnakis and faculty member Joel Mowbray. Campaign school attendee Denise Burnett of Springfield, TN had this to say about the training: “Excellent & highly informative. I will definitely recommend this to anyone who is considering volunteering in a campaign or working for a conservative cause.” State House Candidate Darrell Woodcock of Hendersonville, TN said “This class has made my decision to run for an office less frightening. I have a ton more confidence then when I entered the class.” >
March 29, 2010
LI Graduate Makes a Splash in St. Louis
Jonathon Burns, an LI graduate and former field representative, is gaining recognition in St. Louis as he fights a proposal to raise the sales tax in St. Louis County. STLToday.com ran a story about Mr. Burns' battle in the March 28, 2010 issue. The article highlights how Mr. Burns is rallying Tea Party activists to fight the sales tax bump with him. He has even debated a local mayor on the subject. For more information on Mr. Burns' activities and his organization, Citizens for Better Transit, click here.
March 16, 2010
LI Guest Faculty Wow the Crowd in Georgia
This past Saturday, March 13, 2010, 64 activists and candidates gathered in Cartersville, Georgia to learn the nuts and bolts of campaign and grassroots activism from Leadership Institute guest faculty and seasoned politicos Benita Dodd and Holly Robichaud. One candidate remarked about Holly, “You are so creative, competitive, and interesting. I will want your advice and assistance one day after I get my feet wet!” She also commented on Benita's lectures by saying, “I love your passion. I love how smart you are. I love your presentation!” Once again, LI's volunteer guest faculty provided the best techniques to help conservatives win!>
March 12, 2010
LI Takes Training to Liberty University
A total of 120 participants took part in the two-day Grassroots Campaign School at Liberty University on March 6-7, 2010. They included repeat attendees from previous schools at Liberty, and several who had found the school on the Leadership Institute web site. One attendee traveled from Pittsburgh to attend the training. To find out when a grassroots training is coming to your town, click here.>
March 10, 2010
Historic LI Training Coming to Tennessee
For the first time in the history of the Leadership Institute, the Youth Leadership School and Grassroots Campaign School will be held concurrently on the historic campus of Vanderbilt University on March 27-28. Conservative activists, both young and old, can take part in these trainings.The Youth Leadership School teaches young people to organize both on campus and for the conservative candidate of their choice, and the Grassroots Campaign School teaches candidates and their volunteers how to develop and effective grassroots strategy. Register today!>
March 1, 2010
Patriots Gather in Georgia for Grassroots Training
The Georgia chapters of Tea Party Patriots and FreedomWorks hosted a Grassroots Activist Workshop on Saturday, February 27. 2010 in the shadows of the State Capitol Building as they prepared to take to the steps once again for the one-year anniversary of the country's first tea parties. Over 65 patriots joined together to learn how to build coalitions, recruit more volunteers, and effectively communicate their message to the masses.For more information on LI's Grassroots Activist Workshops, please click here.>
February 12, 2010
Students Brave the Weather to Attend Training
During the week of February 8-12, 2010, over 45 conservative campaign staffers and a few candidates braved the blizzard to learn campaign management strategy and techniques at the Leadership Institute's Campaign Manager School. The dedication of both students and faculty show the strength and vitality of the conservative movement. Expect great things in 2010!>
February 2, 2010
Fifty Students Attend Fundraising and Communications Workshop in Boston
50 social conservatives gathered in a Boston suburb on January 30-31, 2010 for a two-day Fundraising and Communications Workshop to get a jump-start on their competition. The biggest hit of the two-day training was listening to Robert Willington, a local activist and national strategist, share insider secrets for a successful online fundraising and communications campaign. Willington is credited with the web-strategy for the recent successful campaign of Scott Brown for Senate in Massachusetts.>
January 28, 2010
Political Voter Mail Workshop Coming Next Month
On the evening of February 9, 2010, the Leadership Institute will host a Political Voter Mail Workshop to coincide with the February 8-12 Campaign Manager School. Register now to attend this training and learn how to use voter mail for the maximum effect. Topics to be covered include effective layout tips, taking and using powerful pictures, and acquiring quality lists. Join us for this training at the Leadership Institute and learn how to advance your cause from the mailbox to the ballot box.>
January 25, 2010
Over One Hundred Students Trained in Arkansas
Over 100 conservative activists, including 21 candidates, gathered in Fayetteville, Arkansas on Saturday, January 23, 2010 to learn the fundamentals needed to get a jump-start on their competition this campaign season. Craig Amabile, a young conservative from Clarksville, Tennessee, caravanned with a few friends for nine hours just to attend the Leadership Institute training. “If you follow the steps and advice from the campaign school, you will find yourself involved in a successful campaign!” said Amabile.>
January 8, 2010
Final 2009 Grassroots Training Weathers the Storm in Indiana
Despite Al Gore's promise of Global Warming, the most wretched Christmas weather in recent memory wreaked havoc on LI's northern Indiana training on December 28-30, 2009. In defiance of the constant snow and bone-chilling temperatures, 30 patriots braved the arctic weather in South Bend and participated in a marathon three-day Activist School, one of LI's longest training schools. Some attendees even complained that the school was too short!>
December 10, 2009
Representative Michele Bachmann expresses appreciation for the Leadership Institute
In an interview conducted in her Capitol Hill office on December 9, 2009, Congresswoman Michele Bachmann talked candidly about the Leadership Institute and the good the organization has done in its effort to recruit and train conservatives. “It [the Institute] reaches down to young people…[who]…have everything against them. The Leadership Institute tries to train kids to see that there is another view, another side of the story—called reality. [LI] also tries to equip them…to understand the times and know what to do—how to take action. They do both of those very well.”>
December 2, 2009
One hundred students registered for Campaign Manager School
It's not too late to register for the Leadership Institute's final Campaign Manager School of 2009. Join the one hundred other registrants on December 7-11 and learn how to organize and run a winning campaign. Topics covered will include:Campaign plansCampaign strategiesTargeting and identifying votersDeveloping your messageFundraisingAnd much moreBe a part of America's best week of campaign training and register for the Campaign Manager School today! >
November 25, 2009
Internet Blogging Workshop Coming Soon
Internet technology has opened new avenues for conservative victory. The Leadership Institute's Internet Blogging Workshop on December 8th offers attendees practical and useful information on the nuts and bolts of blogging.Register for this one evening workshop and learn from Internet experts how best to market your conservative cause on your personal, organization's, or campaign's blog. We'll teach you how to get started and how to succeed. After attending the workshop you will know how to:• Start a blog and generate quality content • Drive site traffic, build an online community, and activate readers • Help other bloggers help you • Optimize the number of visitors to your site using search engines.For more information on this or any of our Internet trainings, please contact Amanda Dehn at 703-247-2000 >
November 19, 2009
LI trains over forty students at Writing Workshop
The Leadership Institute welcomed over 40 students to its headquarters in Arlington, VA on November 17-18, 2009 for the Writing Workshop. Veterans of journalism and communications in the conservative movement offered the students practical tips on how to improve their writing skills. The training covered essential topics for one to succeed in the field, such as how to write op-eds and press releases.>
October 30, 2009
Conservative Hawaiians say ‘Enough!’ to the status quo
The Leadership Institute continues its fifty-state strategy by bringing grassroots training to the 50th state. Politicians, activists, and community leaders came together this week in Hawaii in a show of solidarity with the clear message, "Less Government, More Liberty.” Over 125 conservative political activists from Oahu, Maui and the Big Island attended a week-long series of grassroots training sessions designed to make them more effective in communication, fundraising, and political organizing. Several current and former state elected officials, candidates for the office of US Congress and the Lt. Governor of Hawaii were among the high caliber list of attendees. Local business owners and the heads of several public policy organizations also attended the training. Attendees were very grateful to the Institute and its donors for helping them fight the battle against tax and spend big government liberals.>
October 27, 2009
LI Trains over 50 Activists in Texas
On Saturday, October 24, 2009, LI trained over 50 activists at the Doss Heritage and Cultural Center in Weatherford, Texas. While most of the students hailed from the Dallas/Fort Worth metro area, there were a few that made the trek from places much farther away, including two eager college students from St. Louis, Missouri. Attendees of the Grassroots Campaign School were energized, and one thing was certain after the day-long training; Don't Mess With Texas Conservatives!>
October 24, 2009
Campaign Manager School Set for December
Hit the ground running in 2010: Attend the Leadership Institute's Campaign Manager School, the premier training program for campaign managers. To put it simply, this school teaches you how to manage campaigns and win. With a strong emphasis on grassroots organization and effective media strategy, the school is led by experts who know campaigns and have run them successfully.A five-day program, the Campaign Manager School is comprehensive. You learn the essentials from writing the campaign plan to building your campaign structure. From there you learn about fundraising, including how to put together a finance committee, as well as how to solicit donors. You'll also gain info on how to target voters and build and develop your campaign's winning message.Other topics covered include: recruiting and motivating volunteers building coalitions winning earned media coverage online fundraising and much, much more. The next Campaign Manager School is December 7-11 in Arlington, Virginia. The cost is $250. Call 1-800-827-5323 today for all the details or go to www.LeadershipInstitute.org. >
October 9, 2009
LI trains over 75 students in Carson City, NV
Over 75 conservative elected officials, candidates and activists gathered for the Leadership Institute's Campaign School Held on Saturday, October 5, 2009 in Carson City, NV. Representatives from the Governor's office, the Nevada State House, and local offices were trained on how to become more effective in campaigning and public policy. The day-long training was held at Carson City's Plaza Hotel in the Convention Center and featured notable national speakers such as Joel Mowbray, Robert Arnakis, and Robert Cahaly. As the 2010 political races begin to heat up Nevada's voters want their voices to be heard and from the looks of this weekend's training, Nevada politicians are paying close attention. The Leadership Institute training was so well received that additional trainings will possibly be scheduled in Reno, Las Vegas, and Winnemucca.>