Free Political Action and Campaign Training

Remember all the robust conversation about low voter turnout in Smyrna? The constant mention that our “leadership is not representative,” “the board of elections is controlled by incumbents...,” etc. etc. There is generally so much cynicism and pot shots about elected officials one would wonder why every single election doesn’t go uncontested.

My hope is built on an idea that those who wish to serve the public interest, do so with selfless intent to serve others. Even better, that we discover, support, vote for, and elect officials who by their natural calling, serve in spite of office. As one who believes in the benefit of free market economies, contested elections for school board to state representatives aid the vetting process. I’ve said in previous blogs, we need more people, with demonstrated clarity of commitment, and ability to serve to run for offices.

A good friend and municipal leader recently shared that if “local” control is what citizens want, you can’t get much more local than personal action. Faith, belief, desire, faith, and wit matched with action is what Smyrna needs. Let’s get out of the gallery and into the game!

The American Federation for Children is putting on a Campaign Training School on Friday, April 20, 2012, at the Hilton Garden Inn – Atlanta Downtown from 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM Eastern Time.  Space is limited.  Please RSVP by Tuesday, April 10th by using the registration link at www.VictoryForChildren.org.

If you do miss this opportunity, there will be others coordinated in Cobb around Metro-Atlanta. At the Educational Roundtable last month, the group agreed to create an Education Voters Guide and Panel Discussions for the upcoming November Elections. The next Education Roundtable is Saturday April 28th, time and location TBA. Rather than a partisan PAC, the Education Roundtable will be a “cause education” informative and skill delivering political action network. We need your input on our ideological mission. At that meeting the agenda will include information on how to run for various education related posts. The people I met at that meeting further inspired my commitment to work to improve education in Cobb along with others equally committed. The people there were already volunteering in schools one way or another. Check back on this website for updates. I hope you will join us.

Why It’s Important to Be Politically Engaged 

The focus of American Federation of Children’s Campaign School will be on empowering strategists, advocates, activists, parents and generally pro education reform people to step up in leadership. With the school choice legislation recently passed, Georgians will be looking to elected officials, school board leaders, PTA officers, and even grocery store cashiers to explain some of the complexities. Improving education will be challenged by many stakeholders of the status quo. Assessing information from many sources and learning to critique what we hear is key. Nothing beats getting into the action and seeing things for yourself.

Per Adam Rogalski, “Even if you are not registered to run for office, but have wondered how to run a political campaign or are interested in helping someone, this school is for you, too! At the campaign training school, you’ll not only learn from experts about the basics of how to run a successful campaign for public office, you’ll also learn about how to effectively communicate about school choice policy and educational choice to voters and the news media.”

For more information about their training schools, contact Adam at 517-214-4990 or e-mail him at ARogalski@federationforchildren.org.

As Always.  Remember..

If we want smaller government, we have to become bigger people!

Leo Smith