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.

Let's face it, organizations need fundraisers. They need folks to write, ask, research, and plan events. Every day job listings for Directors of Development, Outside Membership Sales, Online Membership Coordinators, Directors of Major Gifts, Development Associates, and Interns are posted. While development jobs are plentiful these days, the fundraising field is competitive and only the strongest prevail. Like you, many job hunters are actively seeking a development position in the fundraising world. To set yourself apart from the competition, it is important to be armed with the political technology needed to stand out above the rest, and the Leadership Institute's High-Dollar Fundraising School can help.Hundreds of our nation's top fundraisers have attended the Leadership Institute's High Dollar Fundraising School. During this intensive two-day training you will learn keys to conducting effective fundraising events, why people give you money, tips to organize your development department, how to raise funds through personal solicitation, the nuts & bolts of private grant proposals, how to raise large donations from annuities, donated assets, and bequests, and much more! The next High Dollar Fundraising School will be held on September 12-13 at Leadership Institute headquarters in Arlington, VA. Registration for this class usually costs $150, but for ConservativeJobs.com users, it's only $60 when you use the promotion code HDFSCJ. For only $60 you will learn the ins and outs of development and fundraising from our expert faculty, enhance your resume, and expand your network. Meals, lodging, and all course materials are covered in the school cost. While lodging in our Leadership Institute dormitory is free, space is limited so make sure to register today!As an added bonus, when you register for the Leadership Institute's High-Dollar Fundraising School you are admitted FREE into our Online Fundraising Workshop the evening of September 12th! This live lecture will teach you how to develop an online fundraising strategy and utilize a diverse set of tools and media.Don't miss this incredible opportunity to learn from fundraising professionals and hone your development skills! Register today!>

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.

Many fresh-faced ideological young Republicans and Democrats make the big move to Washington, D.C. with grand dreams of working for their Member of Congress, only to find it's pretty hard to break in on the Hill. Most offices want you to intern for little or no pay for weeks before possibly being offered a position. And if nothing opens up, then you're tasked with networking your way to a Staff Assistant or Legislative Correspondent job somewhere else. Maybe. But perhaps the Hill isn't for you. Admittedly, it's something I thought I wanted to do last year after finishing work on a campaign, but it takes a different kind of person to work in Congress. For instance, I'm a little more opinionated and a little too idealistic to work in an office for a Member who has an “R” or “D” next to their name. While I tend to vote for candidates of one Party over another, I'm hesitant to carry their water, especially if I disagree with the policy. And believe me, I disagree a lot. But what are the other options? There are countless associations, nonprofits, advocacy organizations, and other places for prospective young jobseekers, and turnover is sometimes pretty high. People move on or move up frequently. Use resources like ConservativeJobs, Brad Traverse, the Heritage Job bank, and others to find work. And most importantly, network and develop contacts. Being successful in Washington – on or off the Hill – requires a tremendous level of networking. And certainly don't think the Hill is your only option. I've worked in three different jobs since I moved to Washington: the nonprofit sector, a political campaign, and now in the private sector. I love the hours and the work. There is no shortage of opportunities here. While many people move to Washington to work on the Hill for a Member of Congress, there are countless other political and government careers in D.C.>

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 5, 2011, Arlington, VA— “Be a resource,” Jim Eltringham, vice president of Advocacy Group, Inc, said. “You will always go back to your resources, so mind your media manners!”Students learned how to develop media manners this week at the Leadership Institute's Advanced Public Relations School. Constructing appropriate responses in crises situations, writing effective press releases, conducting informative interviews, and holding focused press conferences were among the many topics addressed by expert faculty.LI Faculty member Ian Ivey, program expert at General Services Administration, shared tips for helpful argumentation. “No matter how brilliant the response, if you are slow on uptake, your communications strategy will fail.”“Timing is the most important aspect,” Ian continued, “you must have targeted and emotional communication, while getting it out fast enough to be effective. You must get your message out before it's framed.”For LI student Sam Sheetz who works in U.S. Representative Sam Johnson's office, the most important skill gained was “learning how to perform under pressure and answer tough questions.”Peter Smith, another student at this week's Advanced PR School, summed up his experience: “It's a fun, educational experience with value regardless of the profession; it opens your eyes to new perspectives and helps develop new skills. The school is a valuable resource.”Ian discussed strategies to assess numerous “plays” enacted in public relations, both good and bad. Students interacted with the faculty members to determine specific PR techniques in proposed situations.“Just because you run a play doesn't mean it will work,” Ian warned. “Even if you know what the play is.”LI student Jennifer Lundy, project assistant at Areva Enrichment Services, described the training as “a great place to learn, to network, and to advance the conservative movement in many aspects of your life.” She plans to use her newly acquired skills in “future campaign or political opportunities to shape the message and win.”Vice President of Advocacy Group Inc. and former LI staffer Jim Eltringham communicated the four critical “R's” when dealing with the media: relationship, response, respect, and resource. In order to attain all four, “you must get your foot in the door and make it easy for a reporter to pay attention to you,” Jim explained. “Boil complex issues down so they can be understood quickly.”Jim urged students to “argue factually and pointedly and to never assume yourself off the record.”In order to apply the many media techniques addressed, Erik Hower at AT&T and Eric Slee of the DCI Group held a mock press conference. Students divided into teams and prepared remarks to present in front of “reporters.” Challenging questions were encouraged and all participants received valuable feedback on their comments.Bryan Fuentes of Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society said, “I learn something new every time I attend the Leadership Institute.”You too can learn new techniques in communication and other areas. Check out LI's upcoming trainings here to register early and receive a discount. >

August 4, 2011, Arlington, VA— “We must recognize that there is a difference between compromise and losing,” explained Grover Norquist, president of Americans for Tax Reform (ATR), to the Leadership Institute's Wednesday Wake-Up Club Breakfast attendees yesterday. “We slowed the march toward statism and are moving in the right direction.”A crowd of 86 conservatives filled LI yesterday morning to hear from the acclaimed tax reform promoter. Grover discussed the nature of the current fiscal crisis as well as his organization's role in promoting limited government through the Taxpayer Protection Pledge.By way of a written commitment candidates and elected officials in federal and state offices pledge to oppose all tax increases. “The pledge makes possible elected official credibility,” said Grover. “Voters know who they are voting for when candidates put their promises in writing.” The pledge has been signed by all but six GOP leaders in the U.S. House and seven in the U.S. Senate, according to the ATR website. Two-hundred and thirty-six U.S. representatives and 41 senators have made a written commitment to not raise taxes on the American people. Their website also reports that more than 1,263 state legislators have signed the pledge, including: 13 governors, 5 lieutenant governors, 4 attorney generals, 3 secretaries of state, 3 treasurers, 1 auditor, and 1 board of equalization member.Conservatives are united against expansive government spending and in favor of individual responsibility. “It is not necessary for all to agree on what to do with liberty, but it is necessary that we all have liberty. Politically we are on the same page,” Grover said.“The tea party is a visible part of the conservative movement and they care about spending. It acts as a hammer that says, ‘Don't spend too much.' It has effectively made spending a vote moving issue and acts as a mechanism for reigning in government spending.”With increased pressure from grassroots conservatives in holding candidates and elected officials' feet to the fire, Washington is on the path to responsible spending, despite minor setbacks, Grover said.He is hopeful about this new direction. Although the fiscal situation is far from ideal, “taxes have not been increased,” Grover said, “and the nation saw dollar for dollar spending cuts for every raise in the debt ceiling.”“If one side is moving East and the other West, there is no room for compromise,” Grover noted, “however, if we're moving, someone's winning and we just won—two and a half trillion dollars are off the table.”Grover affirmed that the country has taken a step in the right direction. “This is a small battle—it was only the first budget cut, not the last. It set the rules for the fight and will make it easier to win.”The next Wake-Up Club Breakfast scheduled for September 7th will host Dr. Edwin J. Feulner, president of the Heritage Foundation. For more information and to RSVP, please go here. >

August 3, 2011—Arlington, VA—Want to promote conservative principles and make some extra money on the side?Submit a blog post to the Leadership Institute's CampusReform.org's Contributing Writer Program! This is a great way to build your resume, get published, and strengthen your writing skills.For each post that receives 150 unique hits or more within 24 hours of publication, Campus Reform will give you $30! Up to 10 prizes per week will be awarded for a 10 week period. The official start date is Sunday, September 4, 2011.Requirements:• You must be a registered student.• You must be a registered user of CampusReform.org.• Blogs should be in line with Campus Reform's general mission and promote conservative values.• The post must contain original content.To submit your post, write it on CampusReform.org and post it to the appropriate college sub-site. After saving and posting your blog, send the URL to Brittney Morrett.In the e-mail please include your name, school, and class year. Put "Contributing Writer Program Submission" in the subject line. For more information on the program, or how to get involved in conservative activism on your campus, contact your Regional Field Coordinator!>

Jobseekers are constantly coming to me asking for advice on how to launch a career on Capitol Hill. And I always tell them something they don't want to hear...take an internship. Even if it's unpaid. In almost every job description I see for a Hill staffer position (even the entry-level ones) Hill experience is required. Understanding of how Capitol Hill operates is more important to many offices than state ties are. So how do you get the all-important experience? Intern. I understand that many jobseekers can't afford to take unpaid internships, but that does not change the fact that Hill experience is almost always required for paid positions. And if a jobseeker is truly passionate about and committed to working for a Member of Congress, they should be prepared to intern for free and work a second job to pay the bills. Many veteran Hill staffers got their start interning while waiting tables, bartending or working at a department store. They truly wanted their dream job and worked hard to get it. They paid their dues and are now Legislative Directors or Chiefs of Staff. If those are titles you want someday, consider an internship. Many offices are flexible with hours, especially if the internship is unpaid, so a second job should be reasonable.And once you do obtain that internship, make the most of it. Be a diligent, hardworking member of the team. Network as much as possible. Make friends in other offices. Schedule meetings with veteran staffers. Send your resume to hiring managers of Members with whom you'd like a full time position . Go to meetings. Attend trainings. Turn the internship into your stepping stone to a staff position. Many offices are looking for Fall interns. Check out all the listings on ConservativeJobs.com and take the first steps toward your career on Capitol Hill.>

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 21, 2011, Arlington, VA—Efficient social media, impactful journalism, conservative media trends, and relevant Op-Eds, press releases, and media advisories are all essential aspects of effective communication. At this week's largest-ever Leadership Institute Written Communications Workshop students learned how to acquire and apply these very tools in public policy.LI welcomed more than 114 current and aspiring political writers who had the pleasure of learning from expert faculty such as Lindsey Mask, communications director for Congressman McKeon; Amanda Carpenter, senior communications advisor for Senator DeMint; American Conservative Union CPAC Director Christopher Malagisi; and others.“LI provided me with training to improve my ability to communicate with our company leaders on a daily basis,” commented Scott McGeary, attorney and area manager at Washington Gas.Former LI staffer and the Daily Caller's Senior Contributor Matt Lewis spoke on the conservative media landscape and current trends.“Everyone has an opinion; everybody owns a megaphone and a ‘printing press'. You are competing against all who can press ‘print now,” Lewis said, referring to the waning practice of blogging and the movement from strictly opinion pieces to both opinion and fact-based writing. “People are looking for new information and substantial content: find your niche.”Lewis also exhorted students to be relevant and timely. “Be accurate, fair, and credible—and get it done five minutes ago! Timeliness in writing is so important—three or four minutes often make the difference. Be fast, accurate, and beat the other guy to the punch, but never sacrifice accuracy for speed.”Dan Graham, principle of Graham Associates, shared the importance of audience analysis, avoidance of logical errors in sentence structure, elimination of “deadwood” or ambivalent words, and comprehension and improvement of readability.Dan shared hints for capturing and holding the audience's attention: “The better you know someone, the better you can tell them what you do; present tense is conducive, as opposed to speculative future tense; when writing in the passive voice, you have readers guessing wrong.”Christopher Malagisi, director of the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) of the American Conservative Union, outlined the elements of an effective op-ed and Communications Director Lindsey Mask touched on the basic components and variance of successful press releases and media advisories.“The best writers are those who niche themselves in one or two specific areas,” Chris said. “A lot of people in politics are generalists—what is one unique thing that can set you apart? You may want to weigh in on the national political environment, but you are an expert on what is going on in your community.”Students enjoyed interacting with each other and faculty members, while gaining valuable insights into the current political writing scene. Areva Enrichment Services Project Assistant Jennifer Lundy described the training as “a great way to learn and network with fellow conservatives.”Intern Brianna Walden of the Family Research Council said, “Many concepts that I had floating around in my head were really defined and nailed down at this workshop. My biggest take-away: develop your own niche.”Brianna summarized her experience: “The Leadership Institute offers thorough and enlightening training sessions and the Written Communications Workshop was no exception. I gained practical tools that will help me throughout life whether I enter a career in communications or not.”She went onto conclude: “I am now better equipped to market myself online and have gained the tools to help my writing in everyday life.”Please click here to register for an upcoming LI training. >

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.

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:12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Book Antiqua","serif";} We've given you advice on the resume, networking, preparing for the job hunt, and extreme makeovers for the interview. The next step: The actual interview! That can be the most nerve wracking experience in the whole job search process. No longer are you able to hide behind your resume, your computer, or even the phone. Your true colors are now going to be exposed and your potential future employer is about to see your real personality. Scared? DON'T BE!!! I'm about to give you some tips to make sure you have a successful interview that can help you land your dream job!1. Treat every meeting with anyone as a potential interview. You never know who is watching you!2. Dress properly. Look professional. A neutral colored business suit (navy blue or gray are best), with a nice white shirt, a nice pair of shoes (ladies, don't wear a super tall heel), hair out of your face, no over-the-top accessories (ladies, if you must wear earrings, wear a small pair of studs). You don't want your outfit talking for you. You want your words to be talking for you!3. Be slightly early. 5-7 minutes early is a good time frame. You NEVER want to be late! Don't be too early either. Be respectful of the interviewer's time.4. Have a firm handshake. One of my biggest pet peeves in life is when someone has a weak, limp noodle hand shake. You don't want to over-power or squeeze anyone's hand, but you do want to show that you have confidence in yourself.5. Maintain eye contact. When you can look someone in the eyes it shows that you respect them and have a healthy self respect.6. Turn off your phone before you even walk in the building. Enough said.7. Know what job you are interviewing for. Find out as much information as you can before you even walk into the office.8. Be friendly and cordial. The employer is taking time out his/her day to dedicate to you. They are also seeing if you can work well with others. Always have a positive attitude!9. Send a follow up thank you note RIGHT AFTER THE INTERVIEW! That will make you stand out among other job seekers.These are just a few tips, but they are very important. If you want to land your dream job, it is important to be as prepared as possible and be confident! >

This Independence Day more than 800 conservatives joined many sponsoring organizations to celebrate freedom, family, friends, faith, and good food at the 40th National Conservative Fourth of July Soiree.Guests enjoyed an array of homemade desserts and barbeque as well as good conversation with current and future political leaders, such as Virginia's Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli.While adults listened to speakers and competed in the National Conservative Fourth of July Soiree Quiz, children enjoying a variety of activities at the Kid's Tent. Children got the thrill of playing with goats and chickens at the petting zoo, jumping on the giant moon bounce, having their face painted, participating in field games as well as arts & crafts, and licking snow cones and munching on popcorn.Morton Blackwell, president of the Leadership Institute, welcomed many local candidates to share their ideas on preserving our country's principles, while offering voters the opportunity to connect with their prospective political leaders. Speakers ranged from those running for U.S. Senate and House positions, to those pursuing state senate and delegate spots.After hearing briefly from candidates Morton announced the keynote speaker Ken Cuccinelli. The attorney general was greeted with enthusiastic applause and pleased the crowd. He spoke about the disregard for the rule of law in specific cases, such as in the healthcare bill. By lending insights taken from years of personal experience, the attorney general stressed the need for conservatives to take action.The entire event was possible through the support of Soiree sponsors. Sponsors include:• 60 Plus Association• Americans for Prosperity Foundation• Being American• Citizens United• Eberle Associates• Fairfax Christian School• Government is Not God (Religious Freedom Coalition)• Gun Owners of America• The Heritage Foundation• Let Freedom Ring• Morgan, Meredith & Associates• National Rifle Association - ILA• National Right to Work• Reagan Institute• Robertson School of Government• Stephen Clouse & Associates• Tea Party Review Magazine• The Conservative Caucus, Inc.• TriMark Corporation• Young Americans for Liberty• Young America's Foundation• Youth for Western CivilizationThank you to all who came out and celebrated the birth of our exceptional nation, and please plan ahead to celebrate with us next July 4th. We invite you to continue partnering with us as we train conservative leaders so that together we can promote the freedoms celebrated this Independence Day. >

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.

There are so many job sites out there that are designed to assist you in your job search. But how many of them really work to match you with your perfect dream job? Stephanie Freedman, former LI intern and ConservativeJobs.com user, found her dream job with the help of Andrea McCarthy and ConservativeJobs.com. Here is an interview that I had with Stephanie to talk about her success as a job seeker. 1. For which organization do you work?I work at the Independent Institute. We are a policy think tank that works with 10 senior fellows to research the different political issues and produce tangible published works (op eds, books). We publish everything at the company, and promote the new development. 2. What is your current position?I am the Publicity Coordinator in the communications department. I am responsible for tracking media and where the seniors have been placed, post successes on the website and social media. I work with scholars and supervisors to edit pieces and reach out to the media outlets and tell everyone what's happening at the organization. I handle a lot of media calls and media relations.3. How did you find out about the job?I heard about the job through the Employment Placement Services (EPS) at The Leadership Institute (LI). I was searching for jobs for the website and came across it. I posted it on CJ.com, and then applied. Andrea assisted me in the research I needed and did a follow up call on my behalf. It was Andrea's follow up call that assisted in moving my resume to the top and eventually led to the employment.4. Did Andrea refer you?Yes.5. Did Andrea help you with your resume?Absolutely. We started working on my resume toward the middle of the internship. We sat down and Andrea helped assess my resume and strengths that I have. She had me read What Color is Your Parachute? by Richard Nelson Bolles and fill out the job flower which gave me different things to assess for my professional skills. Andrea walked through the whole job hunting process with me.6. How did having a ConservativeJobs.com profile assist in the process of locating a job?The website is very helpful. Seekers are able to search in the key words, titles, and areas in which they are looking. Seekers are able to sift through the jobs. The design of ConservativeJobs.com gives you the ability to fill out a good portion about yourself. The website also allows the employers to see even more about you than just receiving a resume. 7. What were the different steps of the interview process that you went through?I first had a short phone interview right after the internship, and I talked with my now direct supervisor. I was offered an in person interview where I sat down with the Communications Director and VP. They asked me about my background with LI, education, policy questions, etc. The interview was roughly 4 or 5 hours long. Finally, I sat down with the COL of the organization, followed by the President, and talked a lot about public policy. I was offered the job four or five days later. 8. How do you like your job?I love my job. It was a very good match. Andrea really listened to what my interests are. I wanted to be able to use both my degrees as well as be back in Northern California near my family. I'm very blessed to be here. Andrea and ConservativeJobs.com played a large role in my placement. 9. What is your favorite aspect of the job?I'm really enjoying being able to see what's going in the country and the world, and being able to correlate the work that we do with everything that is going on. 10. Do you think you would have discovered this job if it weren't for conservativejobs.com?No. I don't think I would have found the job if it wasn't for LI. If it wasn't for CJ and being under Andrea's wing I wouldn't have even known where to look. The website really helped streamline what I wanted.11. What advice do you have for job seekers using ConservativeJobs.com? About their profile? About their resumes? About using EPS?Genuinely assess everything you have done. Don't make your resume fit the cookie cutter. Make sure there are things on there that make you stand out, whatever that may be. You have to have the skill set, but it's the extra activity that does make you stand out. Understand the strengths you possess that make you stand out. Do the research; make sure you have the proper background for which they are looking. Reach out to whoever you can. (Hmmm networking really is important!) 12. Do you and would you recommend conservativejobs.com to other job seekers?I would definitely recommend it! It not only provides a large array of jobs, but it also gives you a full staff and support system around you. Andrea reaches out to everyone on the site, and takes the person's needs and matches them with their dream job. So there you have it. A real life story, with real positive results. Please do not hesitate to contact Andrea McCarthy. She really has a heart for helping people. Good luck on your job searching! >

July 6, 2011, Arlington, VA— “We either save America or we don't—there is no compromise halfway,” American Conservative Union Chairman Al Cardenas said to a committed crowd of conservatives at the Leadership Institute's Wednesday's Wake-Up Club Breakfast this morning.There is a tremendous need for conservative leaders to rise up and defend the framework of principles instituted by the founders. The Leadership Institute, Cardenas remarked, does just that.“I love the Leadership Institute and have more respect than you'll ever know for Morton Blackwell. [LI] is comprised of great patriots who want to save America and keep it great. I am truly honored to speak here and am delighted to have this opportunity.”Chairman Cardenas said, “There are in reality two Americas. One is to the left and one to the right.” The America to the left abides under the umbrella of “live and let live,” meaning that essentially, this generation is living off money rightfully belonging to its children and grandchildren. “Social conditions are no longer in play. There is a new world where government deals irresponsibly.”In opposition to this ideology is the America to the right—an advocate of traditional values, sensible spending, fair taxes, and limited government.Al acknowledged that many conservatives understand the reality of our divided nation, yet they hesitate to take action. The problem, he explained, is that “leaders lack will and courage. You cannot save a country without taking medicine—righting the wrongs that have been made.”“The task at hand is too great for us to stand by,” Al stressed. “I wish for the day when we truly have cut and capped spending and are less dependent on foreign energy sources.” Resolve rests in restoring the fabric of society—family and the Judeo-Christian tradition, as well as cut, cap, and balance in government spending.To see the full speech, please click here.LI's Wednesday Wake-Up Club Breakfast is held the first Wednesday of each month and is an excellent opportunity for friends of the Institute to meet leading conservative speakers and hear their thoughts on current affairs over good food and fellowship with conservative friends. The next Wednesday Wake-Up Club Breakfast is August 3, 2011. The guest speaker will be Dr. Matthew Spalding, director of the B. Kenneth Simon Center for American Studies at the Heritage Foundation. >