Jake Frank is no ordinary high school student. Along with his busy schedule of class, studying, and extracircular activities, Jake interns for Assemblyman Paul Cook (CA-65). Jake attends Yucca Valley High School where he is active in the Leadership (ASB) class. Through this class he met Mariya Swella, sister to Meghan Swella, LI's Youth Leadership School Coordinator. Mariya encouraged Jake to attend LI's Youth Leadership School (YLS), and he did in September 2010 when the YLS came to the University of Nevada-Las Vegas. “The training I received at the Youth Leadership School taught me how to run youth-oriented campaigns on college campuses. I applied a scaled-down version of the election strategies to my school elections. The Youth Leadership School gave me an insight into politics that most 17-year olds do not understand, allowing me an advantage,” Jake said. After LI training, Jake decided he wanted to increase his political activism. “After attending [the YLS], I resolved to become more involved in government," Jake said. "I began asking various people I knew who were already involved where I should start. From there I received an application from Assemblyman Cook's Field Representative Dawn Rowe and applied for the internship." The YLS “taught me different ways of looking at problems, helping me become more creative when it comes to getting my foot in the door," Jake explained. "I have applied the techniques I was taught to write my intern application and to fulfill reports.” As an intern, Jake is responsible for representing and staffing the assemblyman at community events. “The tasks I am called on to complete usually take place around the community here in California's Morongo Basin," Jake said. "Most of my projects have been public-appearance oriented. When the assemblymen and his field representative cannot be present at a function in our area I am called on to attend.” If you would like to learn how to be an effective youth activist like Jake, please contact YLS Coordinator Meghan Swella at MSwella@LImail.us. Also visit LI's training schedule to know when LI training is coming to your area. To nominate a Leadership Institute graduate to be featured as LI's graduate of the weke, please contact LI's External Affairs Officer Lauren Hart at LaurenHart@LeadershipInstitute.org.

September 6, 2011, Arlington, VA—Almost every interest group is represented by a PAC or lobbying group, so why shouldn't mothers have such a group? Leadership Institute Graduate of the Week Cindy Chafian has made it her mission to support fellow mothers through her new nonprofit—The Mommy Lobby—which raises awareness and advocates for issues conservative moms feel every day. A native of Southern California, Cindy and her Navy officer husband moved to Virginia 12 years ago. “For the past 15 years I have been a stay-at-home mom. The demands of doing just that hindered my ability to really get involved with what was happening in politics,” Cindy said. “I was so busy taking care of my kids that I simply didn't have much left over at the end of the day.” “At the end of the Bush Term, I really began to get concerned with what was happening and since my children were slightly older, I was able to start researching, reading, and getting more involved,” Cindy said. “After working with a couple of conservative activist groups, I did not feel like they were reaching the ‘mom demographic.' I felt like I knew what my calling was and The Mommy Lobby was born.” Enter the Leadership Institute. “Not having a background in politics,” Cindy says, “I turned to the one place I felt could best equip me for working within the field I was venturing into. The Leadership Institute provides amazing training courses, and while I am not done learning, I am far more knowledgeable now than I was before taking the courses.” Cindy has taken six LI trainings this year: Online Fundraising Workshop; Youth Leadership School; Public Speaking Workshop; Public Relations School; Advanced Public Speaking Workshop; and Grassroots Campaign School. Cindy goes on: “Anytime I suggest LI to anyone, I always tell them this is an invaluable training organization that supports the goals of the conservative movement. In a world where it feels like everyone around you is far-left liberal, it's wonderful to be around those who share your values and vision for the country we are all so blessed to live in. I look forward to enrolling in more LI courses to help guide me.” The Mommy Lobby is “a political/social advocacy group with the goal to engage, inform, and activate everyday moms to get involved and take the collective voice of the American family to those who make the decisions for our children's future.” For more information on this group, please go to their website www.themommylobby.org If you would like to learn how you can start an effective campus group, lobbying group, or other political groups, visit LI's upcoming training schedule. To nominate a Leadership Institute graduate for LI Graduate of the Week, please contact LI's External Affairs Officer Lauren Hart at LaurenHart@LeadershipInstitute.org.

August 29, Arlington, VA—For Brenda Stedham her life-long dream was to hold public office. She made that dream a reality in 2008 when she was elected as the Presiding Circuit Judge in the Family Court Division of the Seventh Judicial Circuit of Alabama. As Brenda's youngest daughter approached the end of high school, Brenda seized the opportunity and reached for her dream. “One of the people I met as I began considering my political future was Vicki Bailey, a campaign consultant, who felt strongly that I attend the LI's week-long candidate training,” Brenda said. Vicki is also a LI graduate, having attended six trainings. Brenda goes on, “I applied, was accepted, and was glad for the opportunity to go to the Leadership Institute.” Brenda made the trek to Arlington, Virginia for LI's Future Candidate School the week of July 23, 2007. In addition to LI's Future Candidate School, Brenda attended LI's Grassroots Campaign School the month prior. “The training I received that week was amazing! I learned how to prepare a campaign budget, how to organize a finance committee, how to do grassroots campaigning, how to work with the media, and how to present myself in a way that would be successful,” Brenda said. Brenda began her activism right away by getting involved with the local and statewide political scene. She founded the Cheaha Republican Women's club where she served as the first president and represented the club at the statewide meetings at both the Alabama Federation of Republican Women and the Alabama Republican Party. “I also became an active member of the Calhoun County Republican Executive Committee,” Brenda remarks, “making even more connections. Because of the connections I made with the AFRW and the Calhoun County Republican Executive Committee, in 2008 the State Republican Chair, Mike Hubbard, appointed me to serve as a member of the State Republican Executive Committee!” Brenda continues: “When the Republican nomination for Calhoun County Family Court became open in the summer of 2008, I was ready to apply. I was able to prepare an impressive resume, listing my training with the Leadership Institute as well as the other political activities that I had been involved with as the direct result of my training at LI.” Brenda is now more than half way through her third year as Presiding Circuit Judge. She says, “I handle cases from Calhoun and Cleburne Counties, which are both in the State's Seventh Judicial Circuit. Caseload includes divorces, divorce modifications, delinquency and dependency cases, adult abuse and neglect, and protection from abuse cases.” Brenda received her B.A. in political science from Birmingham—Southern Alabama, graduating cum laude. She went straight on to earn her J.D. from the University of Alabama, where she was on the editorial board for the Law & Psychology Review. Previously, she was an attorney-at-law and solo practitioner from 2001-2009. She was also a staff parish committee member for the Anniston First United Methodist Church. Brenda encourages candidates and staff to attend LI training: “I would strongly recommend that anyone who is considering a political campaign, whether at the local, state, or national level, sign up for LI training immediately. It prepares candidates the right way to organize a campaign and avoid many of the pitfalls that can doom a campaign.” Interested in getting political training like Brenda? Visit our website for a list of our upcoming trainings. The Leadership Institute welcomes Honorable Judge Brenda Stedham as LI Graduate of the Week! To nominate a Leadership Institute graduate for LI Graduate of the Week, please contact LI's External Affairs Officer Lauren Hart at LaurenHart@LeadershipInstitute.org.

August 22, 2011, Arlington, VA--As more and more courtrooms across the country “legislate from the bench” and infiltrate a largely liberal bias into the court systems, it's a good thing we have justices like Honorable Jim Richard who uphold the Constitution and defend liberty. Leadership Institute Graduate of the Week is awarded to Judge Jim Richard, who serves the Justice Court, Pct 4, of Fort Bend County, Texas, and receives between 7,000 - 12,000 cases per year. Jim's “court resolves civil cases, eviction cases, small claims cases, misdemeanor class C cases, traffic citations and juvenile cases. Additionally, I handle emergency mental commitments, request for arrest warrants, magistrations and inquests. I also receive a few other types of cases,” Jim said. “I like to tell people that I do what the other courts don't want to handle.” Jim has stood four elections and is currently serving the first year of his fourth term in office. “LI training taught me to develop a plan and to work the plan. I am on that journey,” Jim said regarding his next election coming up in the March 2014 Republican primary. Jim graduated from LI's Campaign School (level 2) in 2009. “The training taught me to focus on a process,” Jim said. “Since the course, I have already produced the first draft of a campaign plan and a plan I call a preliminary voter contact plan.” As a native born Texan, Jim received his undergraduate degree from the University of Texas at Austin and his law degree from the University of Houston. He served as a prosecutor for 10 years and served in the Army for 20 years, six of which were active duty. He was a JAGC prosecutor and magistrate from 1988 until 2008. He served two overseas tours of duty and spent 14 years in the reserves. One of Jim's proudest contributions was “In 1998, when I wrote a law that allows state funded women's shelters to collect from batterers in domestic violence cases. I submitted that law to a State Representative that carried the bill,” Jim said. “I went to the legislative session in 1999 and testified in support of that bill. Then, Governor George W. Bush signed the bill into law.” Jim goes onto report, “Since the [LI ] course, I have joined the American Legion and become a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. I have accumulated 900-plus facebook friends and have performed 16 live auctions as auctioneer for non-profit charities.” For the past six years, Jim has served on the board of directors for the Fort Bend County Women's Center and currently serves on the advisory board. He serves on “all Fort Bend charities and non-profits as an auctioneer for their live auction fundraisers,” Jim said. When asked how he would describe LI training to others, he responded with one simple word: “Essential!” The training is so essential that Jim has decided to return to LI for more as he gears up for his next campaign. “I intend to take another LI course in two years to re-sharpen my focus and learn any updated information.” For his dedication to upholding the Constitution, we welcome Judge Jim Richard as this week's LI Grad of the Week. If you would like to attend LI trainings like Jim Richard, visit our website for a list of upcoming trainings. To nominate a Leadership Institute graduate you know for Graduate of the Week, please contact LI's External Affairs Officer Lauren Hart at LaurenHart@LeadershipInstitute.org.

Today Ryan Rhodes, an LI graduate and former intern, found himself at the center of national media attention. On Monday, August 15, at an Iowa town hall, Ryan asked President Barack Obama how he could call for more civility when -- as Ryan said -- "your vice president is calling people like me, a tea party member, a 'terrorist.'” (Watch Ryan's full conversation with President Obama online.) Within a day, Ryan was interviewed by Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Mark Levin, and others. His story was in USA Today, on the Drudge Report, and in other media outlets across the country. Live on air with Rush on Tuesday, Ryan told listeners, "I was trained at a great place called the Leadership Institute, and I was Morton Blackwell's intern. He helped me with the tools to get out and make a difference and be able to get active in this and I'm doing the best I can to use them." Rush's response was simple: "You worked there with a great guy, Morton Blackwell." (Listen to Rush's full interview of Ryan Rhodes online.) Ryan's first training was a May 2007 Student Publications School, which teaches students how to publish independent campus publications. Months later, Ryan traveled to Las Vegas, Nevada for a Youth Leadership School, LI's flagship training, which he finished as a top graduate. In spring 2008, Ryan interned for LI. At the Institute, he took as many trainings as he could -- 13 in total. The schools ranged from LI's Campaign Management and Future Candidate Schools to its Blogging and Public Speaking Workshops to all levels of its Television Workshops. When he returned to Iowa, his home state, Ryan ran for office. He lost the race, but not his drive to be a conservative leader. Using techniques learned at LI, Ryan organized a 4,500-person Tax Day Tea Party and a 3,000-person Independence Day rally in Iowa. In summer 2009, he organized thousands of Iowans to attend Sen. Charles Grassley's town hall meetings. Sen. Grassley summarily withdrew from healthcare negotiations with the White House. The success was noted in Iowa and in DC. Washington Post called Ryan "the leader of the tea party movement in Iowa." This past summer, Ryan served as chairman of the Iowa Tea Party Bus Tour, co-sponsored by LI. The bus stopped at 17 Iowa locations to train more than 600 activists in the caucus process. Ryan now trains for the Institute too. He's an LI faculty member at grassroots activist schools, passing on the knowledge he once learned at the Institute to other conservatives. After Ryan appeared on Rush Limbaugh's show, he emailed Morton Blackwell, LI's president, a short note: "I can't forget who gave me the tools and Rush Limbaugh sang your praises as well. Keep up the great work at LI. We can't save our country without the Leadership Institute." Learn more about Leadership Institute training. Review LI's 2011 training calendar online or contact Lauren Hart to learn more.

August 15, 2011, Arlington, VA—While Americans are fed up with high taxes, government control, and personal freedom restrictions, they often times, do nothing except complain. However, Brendan Steinhauser is an exception. He is a constant voice advocating for liberty through action. Brendan currently works as the Federal and State Campaigns Director for FreedomWorks, an organization that “recruits, educates, trains and mobilizes millions of volunteer activists to fight for less government, lower taxes, and more freedom.” He spends most of his time organizing their 1.2 million grassroots members around the country to fight for less government control and more freedom. Brendan attended the Leadership Institute's Youth Leadership School (YLS) in 2005 before joining FreedomWorks. He had the opportunity to learn from the LI's President Morton Blackwell during the school. “I learned a ton from Morton that weekend about organizing and I still use many of the lessons from the YLS in my activism today. I found Morton to be very encouraging, and genuinely interested in the students that were at the boot camp.” “I think the most important thing I learned at the YLS,” Brendan says, “was that campaigns need to be organized early and systematically planned in advance to be effective.” The use of YLS tactics didn't stop there! Not only does Brendan apply these lessons at FreedomWorks, but he has served nine times as a guest faculty member for LI at various Youth Leadership Schools across the country. “LI training is the best in the business when it comes to youth politics. One of the first things I look for in our interns or potential new hires is whether they have attended LI schools, especially the YLS.” Originally from Flatonia, Texas, Brendan studied International Relations and American and European History, graduating from The University of Texas at Austin in 2004. He was very active there, helping rebuild the UT chapter of Young Conservatives of Texas. He founded Students for American Values and co-founded Students for a Colorblind America at UT, and was subsequently awarded the Free Republic Collegiate Eagle Award. Brendan also wrote a book, The Conservative Revolution: How to Win the Battle for College Campuses, which is a student activism guide. Brendan's blog -- http://theconservativerevolution.com -- focuses on his “wanderings around the country in defense of freedom” and “chronicles my journeys through the country, meeting people, organizing events and campaigns, and having a blast while getting paid a living wage.” For Brendan's commitment and dedication to liberty, we welcome him as our Graduate of the Week. Are you interested in attending a YLS and learning how to run a successful youth campaign like Brendan? Check out our schedule of upcoming YLS trainings! Our next school in our Arlington, VA building is August 22-23, details below. To nominate a Leadership Institute graduate you know for Graduate of the Week, please contact LI's External Affairs Officer Lauren Hart at LaurenHart@LeadershipInstitute.org.

August 8, 2011, Arlington, VA—Paul Gessing, president of New Mexico's free market think tank—the Rio Grande Foundation—is the Leadership Institute's Graduate of the Week. “LI has been a big part of my success within the free market/conservative movement,” Rio Grande Foundation President Paul Gessing said. “LI gives some of the best training in politics, public policy, and campaigns of anyone (regardless of ideology) in the nation.” The Rio Grande Foundation is “a research institute dedicated to increasing liberty and prosperity for all of New Mexico's citizens. We do this by informing New Mexicans of the importance of individual freedom, limited government, and economic opportunity,” their website says. A native from Ohio, Paul moved to the Washington, D.C. area to work in public policy in 1997. He recalls, “I was a liberal when I came to DC, but through self-reflection and a lucky connection with a Ron Paul staffer, [I] became much more liberty-minded.” Paul spent most of his professional career in DC working in government affairs at the National Taxpayers Union; however, after 8.5 years in DC he was ready to move on. “There happened to be a think tank leadership opening in New Mexico, which I took since I had significant family in the Albuquerque area,” Paul said. Paul has attended 6 trainings at the Leadership Institute. They include: Internet Activist Workshop; On-Camera Television Workshop; Public Speaking Workshop 2; Public Speaking Workshop; Grassroots Communications Workshop; and another Public Speaking Workshop in 2004. When asked how LI trainings have helped him, Paul said, “I've always been a good writer and have never struggled putting ideas on paper, but public speaking and on-camera speaking were never my strengths. I learned how to be much more poised and use [LI] techniques to make my points stronger. These techniques helped me interview for my current job and help me very day as I attempt to communicate the message of liberty to a New Mexico audience.” “The Leadership Institute is the granddaddy of conservative training organizations,” Paul said. “If you ever want to run for office, work for a political campaign, volunteer for a candidate, or want to maximize your effectiveness in working with a political party, be sure to attend [one of their trainings].” We welcome Paul Gessing as LI's Grad of the Week! Thank you for all you do to defend liberty in New Mexico. If you would like to learn public speaking and TV techniques like Paul, visit our schedule of upcoming trainings. To nominate a Leadership Institute graduate you know for Graduate of the Week, please contact LI's External Affairs Officer Lauren Hart at LaurenHart@LeadershipInstitute.org.

August 1, 2011—Arlington, VA— Bill Taylor was never driven to run for public office. He does admit to having a keen interest in politics since his youngest days as a television news reporter. But it wasn't until he put his 40-plus year media career behind him that he discovered a true desire for public service. He credits the Leadership Institute to helping him make his full commitment to the political process. “I've always viewed life as a glorious adventure where opportunities are seized,” Bill said. “I've never felt like I worked a day in my life because I've always chosen to do what I love. Therefore, work was never drudgery; it was an exhilarating challenge.” Bill spent the first decade of his broadcasting career as a TV news reporter, producer, news director and anchorman. He covered anti-war protests and the civil rights tumult of the 60's and even interviewed Martin Luther King. He admits to being most fascinated by various politicians having had the opportunity to cover President Johnson and President Nixon and interview Hubert Humphrey in the back seat of his limo on the campaign trail. Most memorable was the 70th birthday of famed Illinois Senator Everett Dirksen. Bill went to Dirksen's home in Pekin, Illinois, where the Senator played his piano and sang for Bill on camera. For more than three decades, Bill was a media consultant. He was co-founder and CEO of media research and consulting firms based in Dallas, Los Angeles, and London. As a news consultant, he worked to maintain his political neutrality saying, “It was right and proper; I only wish fairness existed into today's media.” Bill did serve George H.W. Bush's White House as a consultant in 1991-92, but his focus was not political. He helped develop the President's Points of Light initiative which honored volunteerism. After retiring from consulting, Bill says his personal, political road trip began in January 2009 with the initial inkling he might run for the South Carolina General Assembly. Bill says, “It was an itch that needed scratching and like many conservatives I was troubled by what I saw coming from President Obama and the Democrats running Congress. It was not ‘Change' I believed in.” Bill spent the next seven months carefully considering his options and opportunities. Enter the Leadership Institute. “My campaign success was fueled by our enrolling in LI's Future Candidate's School; it was a most valuable experience. It's essential to be as knowledgeable as possible and prepared for the twists and turns of a political campaign. LI smoothed our political road to success. For that we are most thankful,” Bill says. A pivotal moment came in August 2009 when the political road led Bill and his wife, Donna, to LI's headquarters in Arlington, VA. Bill says, “My wife and I enrolled in LI's Future Candidate School. We weren't certain what to expect, but we knew we were in this political thing together as we have been during every major endeavor in our forty years of marriage. We weren't disappointed!” “We were well fed by LI, but the real nourishment came in the many hours we spent in the classroom listening and learning from the knowledgeable political experts from both inside LI and the outsiders brought in to stoke us with their knowledge and expertise,” Bill recounted. A strong family man, Bill told his adult children about the decision to run for office in October of 2009. He officially announced his candidacy in January 2010. Applying LI tactics, Bill and his wife formed a campaign team, equipped with a full-time campaign manager, volunteers and a seasoned political consultant. They canvassed door-to-door for nearly three months, walking most neighborhoods in his large House district. “I learned at LI that retail politics is essential; looking voters in the eye, discussing issues important to them, and asking for their vote is how one gets elected,” Bill said. “Besides, I found canvassing exhilarating and I couldn't wait to knock on doors most evenings.” “It paid off; we found success in the June 2010 primary election. With the help of many, I defeated the 8 year incumbent 57% to 43%. He was the establishment candidate who had lived in Aiken County all his life. I was the outsider having moved to South Carolina less than a decade ago,” Bill says. “I was endorsed by the three Aiken County Tea Parties. He was backed by the establishment. I was seen by many as bold, fresh, and accessible,” Bill says in looking back. Bill implemented the tactics and strategies from the LI's Future Candidate School on his campaign and found victory. For this, we welcome State Representative Bill Taylor as LI's Graduate of the Week. If you are considering running for office, come to LI's Future Candidate School next week. Learn more and register here. To nominate a Leadership Institute graduate you know for Graduate of the Week, please contact LI's External Affairs Officer Lauren Hart at LaurenHart@LeadershipInstitute.org.

v\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} o\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} w\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} .shape {behavior:url(#default#VML);} Normal 0 false false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:.5in; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} The Leadership Institute's featured graduate of the week is Annette James, who works as the campaign manager for Virginia House of Delegates Candidate Mike Watson in the Williamsburg, Virginia area. The two met each other at LI's Campaign Manager School in December 2010 and decided to team up for Mike's campaign. “LI is one of the best things that you can do if you are interested in politics,” Annette said. “The amount of information you receive is a bit like ‘drinking from a fire hose.'" She continued, "The experience at LI was amazing. Not only did I learn more than I could retain, I was thrilled to spend the entire week around people who were proud to wear the political junkie label, as was I. It was an entire room full of people that you could relate to and share stories with. "One of those people was Mike Watson. The first time we had a chance to talk I thought, ‘This guy should run for office.' When I asked him if he had considered it, he said he had, but it was not time yet. "Over the next couple of months Mike and I stayed in touch, bemoaning Washington politics and speculating on the upcoming 2012 presidential candidates. When redistricting put Mike into an unexpected district, it was a natural move for him to file the paperwork and run for office, as his heart was already in it. “Because Mike felt comfortable with my background,” Annette said, “and the common ground we had from LI, he made me an offer to join the campaign as his campaign manager.” Annette, from Florida, moved to Virginia to campaign for Mike. She's prepared to manage his campaign thanks to Institute training. Annette has attended five trainings at the Leadership Institute varying from the Event Planning Workshop, the Travel Campaign Management School, the Public Speaking Workshop, the Youth Leadership School, and the Campaign Management School. “Of course," Annette said, "for obvious reasons, the part of LI that I value the most is the networking. You will never find a whole room of people more similar to you in their political drive than at LI." 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.

July 18, 2011, Arlington, VA--Amanda Carpenter, in her mid-twenties, has accomplished more professionally than many do in a lifetime. Now, as the senior communications advisor & speechwriter to Senator Jim DeMint, she continues to write regularly as she prepares the senator's speeches. “Without the Leadership Institute, I may have never gotten involved in the conservative movement,” Amanda says. “I came to a workshop on a whim, hoping to meet some people who were as interested in reading and writing about politics like I was.” The first Leadership Institute (LI) training Amanda attended was a Student Publications Workshop in July of 2004. Since then, she has attended 10 trainings at LI. “I was told I should start a website and start pushing my ideas out to my college campus! I met all kinds of other students who were running their own media publications on campus. They made it look easy. So, I went for it. “One thing led to another. The news stories I was writing about on wasteful spending at my college caught the eye of professors and local media. I got the bug and then desperately wanted to come to Washington to write about wasteful spending in the government. “The Leadership Institute gave me an internship that allowed me to make the move and generate some writing samples that helped me get in the door to my very first job as a Capitol Hill reporter for the leading conservative weekly magazine Human Events.” Amanda then on to work for Townhall and the Washington Times. “I've had dream jobs—blogging, reporting, and discussing my pieces on radio and TV. Now, I'm a speechwriter and communications advisor for Senator Jim DeMint. And, all the credit goes to the Leadership Institute. I can't thank Morton Blackwell enough.” Amanda has made a difference on her college campus for the conservative cause and now is making a splash on Capitol Hill in the Senate. We welcome Amanda as LI's Grad of the Week! Amanda will be one of several notable faculty at LI's Written Communications Workshop tomorrow and Wednesday evening. Act today! Register for your spot now. Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:.5in; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} To nominate a Leadership Institute graduate you know for Graduate of the Week, please contact LI's External Affairs Officer Lauren Hart at LaurenHart@LeadershipInstitute.org.

Each summer hundreds of competing weekend events and excursions fill the time of DC students and interns. Instead of hitting the beach, an amusement park, or one of the many local DC attractions, 129 conservative students spent two full days and nights learning how to become more effective conservative activists at the Leadership Institute's Youth Leadership School. Leah Courtney of the University of West Florida said, “You learn more in two days than in the four years it takes to get a political science degree.” Students representing 74 colleges, 30 states, 20 Capitol Hill offices, 19 conservative organizations, and four countries heard from excellent speakers, networked with their classmates, earned a pile of conservative books and literature, and most importantly, left with the tools needed to advance their values. The Youth Leadership School is a two-day, intensive training designed to teach young conservatives how to effectively organize young people for conservative candidates and causes. Students gained a wealth of information that prepared them for leadership, building an organization, handling media and public relations, holding mock elections, and staging a candidate's campus visit. San Jose State University student Nithin Mathew founded a conservative group on his campus and said, “If you are serious about being effective on campaigns or college groups, LI is the boot camp to attend.” In addition to hearing from experts, students engaged in various exercises to implement some of the newly learned techniques. One exercise placed students in a hypothetical crises situation and encouraged them to work with each other on composing a political strategy in a brief amount of time. “I plan on implementing the strategies I learned at LI the next time I work on a campaign,” explained Alicia Powe, a former student at John Jay College and founder of a conservative college club. “I would describe [the training] as a political boot camp worth every moment. It helps you build skills that you can take with you no matter what profession you are in.” James Sturch, a student at University of Arkansas - Little Rock, described the training as, "The best training I've ever had- encouraging, enlightening, and excellent." LI hosts more than 30 Youth Leadership Schools throughout the country each year. If you would like to organize a Youth Leadership School on your campus, please contact LI's Youth Leadership School Director Kent Strang.

We've all heard the old adage that everyone is at most just “6 degrees of seperation” apart from others. This is all too true for Illinois State Representative Tom Morrison and his Campaign Manager Drew Veeneman. Drew and Tom first met in 2005 at the Leadership Institute's Public Relations School in Arlington, VA. Tom recounts, “I was a future candidate who needed a manager and vice versa. Of course, when we found out that we were both from Illinois we knew that we should team up.” “Thanks to training at the Leadership Institute, my campaign manager and I beat an incumbent Illinois state representative in the primary, and we went on to win in the general election by 24%,” Tom said. “We were outspent in both elections nearly 2-1. Thank you for all of your good work. I've told dozens of people about your outstanding programs, and that you all were the key to my success.” Tom's first class was a Grassroots Workshop that the Leadership Institute hosted in Chicago, Illinois – not far from Tom's hometown of Palatine. A few months later, he came for more training: the Public Relations School, where he met Drew, the Campaign Management School and the Future Candidate School. Drew has attended four LI trainings: Campaign Leadership School, Grassroots Activist School, Public Relations School, and Youth Leadership School. Tom said that Drew, his campaign manager, is a “brilliant political consultant who had to work through Christmas to win the February primary.” Drew is LI's Grad of the Week, and currently works as a political consultant in Illinois “with a strong emphasis on media.” He has also started a video blog called Political Mechanics. Drew said that Tom's “campaign provides some much needed inspiration for conservative candidates in Illinois. Beneath the congressional surface, politics is very tough here in Illinois.” Tom is not your typical “Good ol' boys club” politician. He developed his strong work ethic from a young age by lifeguarding like his role model President Ronald Reagan. Tom attended Hillsdale College where he graduated with a bachelor's degree and pursued a career in broadcast media in Iowa; however, he quickly realized his heart's desire lied elsewhere – in Illinois. Tom taught fifth grade for six years at the Christian Liberty Academy. Tom's entrepreneurial spirit surfaced, and he and his brother entered a SERVPRO franchise, a disaster cleanup and relief company. Tom publicly declared his candidacy for Illinois state representative in September 2009, realizing he could make a difference in his state, and because of his diverse background, he knew he could apply his experience in the state legislature. Tom and Drew are both notable grads because they took their life experiences and applied them to public service. Conservatives are more closely connected than the “6 degrees of separation” and can certainly be acquainted with one another at training grounds like the Leadership Institute. If you are seeking great conservative connections, get plugged into LI's network through our trainings, campus programs, and through ConservativeJobs.com. For more information on LI's Grad of the Week Drew Veeneman, please visit his website. To nominate a Leadership Institute graduate you know for Graduate of the Week, please contact LI's External Affairs Officer Lauren Hart at LaurenHart@LeadershipInstitute.org.

July 5, 2011, Arlington, VA— Despite having no political family connections or a deep-pocket money purse, Raymond Johnson has shaped political campaigns in Northeast Florida in a very tangible way. He started Campaign Consulting Enterprises, LLC, a company that seeks to place Christian conservatives in public office, and has launched Biblical Concepts Ministries, a non-profit Christian ministry that teaches Biblical concepts of government in church and political groups nationally. Raymond also serves as the Northeast Florida chairman of United Christians of Florida, a statewide PAC. Raymond, like many other Americans, got involved in politics during the transition from the Bush Administration to the Obama Administration. Raymond recalls, “As a conservative Christian I saw the need to involve more Christians in the process and elect Christians to office.” Since completing the Leadership Institute's Campaign Manager School in 2008, he has won 4 of 7 campaigns he's worked on. Raymond worked on Matt Schellenberg's campaign for city council district 6 in Jacksonville, FL and says, “I credit LI for teaching me the needed skills applied to defeat our sitting city council president here in Jacksonville, FL.” Mr. Schellenberg ran against the incumbent city council president Jack Webb and won by a 6-point margin with just a difference of 1,005 votes. “I assumed the role of field and faith-based director for Schellenberg's campaign and applied some unique strategies, some of which I learned from LI [at their Grassroots Activist School in December 2009].” Raymond says, “During this campaign I actually experienced a situation discussed at LI. The campaign coordinator of our opponent—council president Jack Webb—was caught in the act of stealing our commercial campaign signs and dumping them in a retention pond. I was able to draw from the LI school as I knew catching a suspect and getting media coverage was a must.” “I was able to find a witness, get the witness to file a witness statement in addition to the police report, and get the witness to tell his story to the media. We had several stories aired and one written,” Raymond said. Raymond prides himself on assisting conservative Christian candidates. He works a faith-based outreach campaign that allows him to reach out to churches and Christians in the state of Florida to endorse these candidates. To nominate a Leadership Institute graduate you know for Graduate of the Week, please contact LI's External Affairs Officer Lauren Hart at LaurenHart@LeadershipInstitute.org.

June 27, 2011, Arlington, VA— For college senior Hilary Ranieri, the high school debate team sparked more than just an increased interest in politics. It launched a young career in politics. Hilary first learned of the Leadership Institute when she attended the Youth Leadership Training Conference the summer after her junior year of high school. “I just loved being in Washington, D.C., speaking with and listening to members of Congress, participating in a mock Senate, and learning more about the political arena,” she explained. The conference piqued Hilary's interest in politics, law, and the media, which led her to intern for law firms, the American Association of Christian Schools, and Senator Jim DeMint (SC), by whom she is currently employed. When Hilary learned of LI's June Public Relations School, she jumped at the chance to attend. “I thought it looked and sounded very interesting and educational.” Hilary's hopes for the school were more than met. “I am really glad I attended! I learned so much and now know more of what I should do when participating in an interview or even if I'm ever in a media crisis. The lecturers at the school were very knowledgeable and kept my attention,” she said. “I'm really thankful that LI has these kinds of opportunities available, especially for interns,” Hilary added. “They're extremely helpful.” As Hilary looks forward to her future – her last year of college and beyond – she finds many opportunities on her horizon. “After a few years of working on [Capitol] Hill, I'd like to go to law school,” Hilary said. “Afterward, I'd like to either continue working on the Hill as a legislative correspondent or assistant, possibly running for political office, or practicing law as a prosecuting criminal attorney.” To nominate a Leadership Institute graduate you know for Graduate of the Week, please contact Lauren Hart, LI's External Affairs Officer.

When it comes to online communities, Facebook is the social network. For Katie Harbath, it's the next step in a successful career of online campaigns and communications. Katie joined Facebook as its Associate Manager of Policy in February 2011. There her goal is to help elected officials and politicians use Facebook to directly reach constituents and voters. She started her career in Washington, DC at the Republican National Committee, where she managed the party's website, GOP.com. Since then, she's worked for the DCI Group's Online Services division, as Communications Director for a Congressional campaign in Ohio, as Deputy eCampaign Director for Rudy Guiliani's 2008 presidential campaign, and most recently as the Chief Digital Strategist at the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC). While at the NRSC, Katie returned to the Institute to teach at the same school she took in 2005: the Internet Activist School. "LI training is like a crash course in anything you may want to know more about in running a campaign or being an activist," she explained. "The Internet Activist School is taught by people who are working in the field and know first-hand the best tools and strategies for accomplishing your goals." Katie is a notable graduate of the Leadership Institute and has gone on to give back to LI with her teaching and to advance campaign technology and tactics in social media. We welcome Katie as LI's Graduate of the Week.

When Mike Meier finished his last Leadership Institute training in 2002, Twitter was something birds did and the epicenter of social networking was a coffee shop, not Facebook. Despite the revolutionary changes since then, Mike has published a well-received business book and founded a consulting business with help from the skills he learned at Institute trainings. "LI showed me how to capitalize on meeting new people, keep in touch with them, and organize those contacts," he explained. Mike attended five LI trainings in 2002: Broadcast Journalism School, Capitol Hill Writing School, Effective TV Techniques Workshop, Public Speaking Workshop, and LI's flagship Youth Leadership School. He also received the Institute's Balance in Media Grant. Only a month after graduating from Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, Illinois with a degree in Mass Communication, Mike was hired as a sports anchor and reporter. "I did that for about six months, and then gave it up," he said. "I landed the ‘dream job,' but later found out it wasn't my dream!" Instead he pursued an MBA degree at Texas Wesleyan University in Fort Worth, Texas, and with the degree under his belt, he traveled to China, living and working there for a year. He drew upon his experience there and upon his return, he developed 14 business tips for those seeking to do business in China, which are published in his book— A Focused Pursuit in China: 14 Business Tips To Know Before You Go. Mike also used his experience to launch his own consulting business, Focused Pursuit LLC., which "helps clients achieve their personal and professional goals," ranging from general consulting to public speaking training. He also hosts "seminars for small and large companies alike about Chinese business culture." Mike recently finished working one year in South Korea, and just signed a contract with a Korean technology firm. Mike will never forget his LI training. "I would describe attending LI [trainings] to first timers [as a] great opportunity to meet smart, driven individuals that want to change the world. For me, going to school in the Midwest and coming to DC for a weekend is a treat in itself. It's one of the greatest cities in the world, and that's why I returned four more times!" Learn more about Institute training and register online for an event near you.

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

"Campaigns can easily fall into old habits of how they did things, instead of focusing on what they want to accomplish," wrote Julian Haigh, a Leadership Institute graduate, in the cover story of Campaigns & Elections magazine. "Social media can lead to better organization and connectivity with your volunteers and the Internet allows you to be more agile in you coordination of resources." Julian, a Canadian citizen and campaign veteran, is the co-founder of D2D Campaign Solutions. The company, based in Vancouver, describes itself as a "volunteer management solution that provides election campaign managers unprecedented power in mobilizing door-to-door campaign volunteers, identifying vote-swinging issues, and growing candidate support at the grassroots level." Earlier this year, Julian attended LI's Campaign Management School and Advanced New Media Workshop. He said the school covered "the full gambit of skills required for a winning election. Beyond this, the network of professionals and experience to learn from, [the school] has invigorated me and given me the tools required to pump me up to be more active." Julian added, "The program was such an eye-opener and [it] makes me so much more positive about the future." You can still register for the Institute's next Campaign Management School, which begins this Monday, May 2. You can also review LI's 2011 calendar to see upcoming trainings of interest to you.

Aleq Boyle attended his first Leadership Institute training in 1987 as a college student. Now he's the president and chairman of his own non-profit organization, Fremont Civics Foundation, but he still comes to the Institute for training. "My first Youth Leadership School was at Northwestern University in 1987," Aleq said. "Having already worked for the Indiana State GOP, under Gordon Durnell, LI was a way to be connected with many like-minded individuals and grow some understanding about our work." Aleq has attended nine Institute trainings since 1987, including the Campaign Management School, Youth Leadership School, International Leadership Training Seminar, Public Relations School, and Candidate Development School -- several of them more than once. Currently, Aleq serves as the president and chairman of the Fremont Civics Foundation, a non-profit organization with a mission, as he explains, to "raise civics, governance, history, and political awareness among our younger citizens, leading them in healthy debate of issues facing our republic." "For anyone who seeks to improve our republic and learn about government, LI training is indispensable," Aleq said. "LI's programs lay foundations for rewarding, successful careers, be they political or in business and my personal focus, philanthropy." Aleq has also used his Institute connections to mentor a New Jersey college student, Alex Fitzsimmons. After meeting Alex at LI's 2009 gala, Aleq said, "we built a rapport and made friends. He would return back to school after the event and we stayed in touch. He shared his plans to attend GWU, where he has proved a leading student in academics, and even has served his new community as a tutor for other students. He is an exceptional young man in the conservative cause." Aleq also introduced Alex to LI training, which Aleq called a "great experience for collegiate youth and even high school would-be activists, as they were for me when I attended Anderson University in Anderson, Indiana."

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