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Auntie Mame, you said everything so well, but for once I won't stand by and let the thread go on without doubling your text! :)

All right, all you activists out there. Get ready! The people who attended this conference, a literal "who's who" of FReepers, are all just a tad bit smarter thanks to the Leadership Institute! Not only was the Friday night cocktail party, with newsbabe Laura Ingraham, a rave success. Saturdays educational program and dinner/awards banquet was, shall we say, smashing! Yea baby! :o)

What a joy it was to meet, greet and talk to other freepers in person. The cocktail party was set up 'almost' perfect, but nothing that a group of twenty manly FReepers couldn't correct by moving a 20' banquet table! (with food still on it) I never asked, but I hope the union didn't get 'mad'... hee hee. After the party, we all headed to the Battle Bar in order to mingle before gambling or sleeping, take your pick. Saturday morning came early after the craps table kept me interested until almost 1a. But Matt Lewis from the LI was very good at keeping your interest, even on 4 1/2 hours of sleep.

The Saturday education program was littered with very useful information. From public speaking to 'spinning' (ah, that's how they do it :), to fundraising and dealing with the press(titutes). They are a fantastic organization, though our speedy session was too speedy. We ran through the subjects so fast (mainly because we FReepers had so many great questions), I want to, no, have to go through the training again. (sneak peek) Next year, a more focused program is intented, where we will be able to swallow the information whole. Although, given the low cost, and the LI's willingness to work you into other visits, the FRN Chapters should seriously consider getting on their calendar! (Hint Hint Chicagoland)

The speech by Chuck Muth at lunch was perfect. He gave great insight into his life work, and he is inspirational. I've never subscribed to any of his newsletters, so I was only aware of his recent ascention to the director (or president, it's late, I'm tired ;) of the American Conservative Union. I will make it a point to try and learn more about this man, he is a sturdy individual with views that are based on logic and intellectualism. I'm glad the conference had him as the lunch speaker and panel moderator.

On to the Awards Ceremony and Dinner. Bob J gave a fantastic speech. He surmised, very well, the need for us to work like a team. Go Blue! (inside joke) He used a great role model in Bo Schembechler in identifying just how we can lead the Conservative movement to victories in the politcal stadium. My head was spinning from the thoughts of just how right Bob was. Rich Galen was informative, but I found him kinda dry. I will admit that since I was doing a lot of video, I wasn't able to give him 100% of my attention.

The winners of the awards, Peacerose, representing the CCRM Chapter (Best New Chapter), Sauropod, representing the DC Chapter (Best Chapter), JimRob, representing John Robinson (Lifetime Achievement) and finally Jeff Head (FReeper of the Year), all graciously, and eloquently accepted their awards. I'm sure many of you listened live last night, if you didn't I suggest you watch for the archive. Their words were wonderful and inspiring.

Early today, after I beat the craps table (YEAH), we all met and had a lively discussion. We talked for 2 hours (before I had to leave) about what the conference did for each of us, what we should do next year, and how we should work towards imporoving the effect of the FRN and the many chapters of this great forum.

I'm sure proud to have been part of this wonderful event. I can't begin tell you how impressive these people are. The thoughtfullness of their words, the quality of their questions, and the depth of their experience sure gave me more than I bargained for.

Thanks to all! See you next year!

Your report is wonderful! This is what I hoped this thread would turn into, each person's impressions and additions to the "story." And if you think of anything else, come back and post some more.

To add to your post, I'd forgotten to mention our own Freeper Carry_Okie who spoke at the panel discussion and brought his book for sale. His two beautiful daughters manned the book table and generally behaved like the troopers they are. Freeper Ginny bought two copies and surprised me with one as a gift. This book, which I've only flipped through briefly and read a few paragraphs, is crammed with information. I've already told two people about the part of the book that talks about the unintended consequences of the environmentalists who profess to want to save the fish, but through their clearing the rivers of log jams have actually destroyed spawning grounds. I've learned this much and I've only read two paragraphs of the book!

Oh, and we haven't mentioned Diotima and what an incredible job she did. She is one funny lady.

FRiva Las Vegas! My two cents... The conference was very interesting and informative. I have some new ideas as a result. Laura Ingraham was WONDERFUL! We need more like her. One of the reasons I love conservatives is because we have senses of humor! She kicked off the conference with wit and style. The Saturday classes were intense. We had a lot of information to digest. I appreciated learning some tips from the opposition's play book. My problem is that I get emotional (I'm a girl, not a liberal!) and don't like to argue with libs so I just shut up. The evening awards ceremony was GREAT! I want to view the video again, it was so good. Great choices for the music, from Quiet Riot to Queen to Sir Paul McCartney. Is there a link or someplace I can view some of the video from the conference? Sitting in the background on Sunday morning for the after-conference "autopsy" was fascinating. I did not want to interrupt... okay, really I didn't want to stop eating my Krispy Kremes.... but my view is that the POWER behind FR is the web site. The annual conference is an awards banquet, conservative style. It is a chance to get together and meet face to face, go over the year past and talk about the year to come. But, I believe, the real power to reach, teach, and grow our group is with the web site. To the FReepers who worked so hard to put the conference together, you guys did a phenomenal job! My only negative comment is that a lot of FReepers are cigarette smokers; I worry that conservatism will lose important people because smoking will kill some of us off prematurely. I smoked cigarettes for 15 years and quit in 1985. It was better in the old days when cigarette smoke was ubiquitous, you didn't notice it. One of the unintended consequences of the anti-smoking initiative is that the smoke is MORE noticable since they have isolated smokers. I do NOT believe second-hand smoke is dangerous; it just happens to trigger my terrible Migraines. On the flight home Sunday night, we enjoyed a wonderful light show put on by God. Several storms almost all the way back to Chicago lit up the clouds in the most beautiful way. Well, I have to try to earn some money to make up for all the quarters I threw away in the slot machines. Rock on FReepers! Thanks for the good time!
~S~