Leadership Program of the Rockies

You are invited to a Leadership Celebration

With guest speaker 

Dennis Prager

Syndicated Radio Talk Show Host

Dennis Prager is one of America's most respected radio talk show hosts. He has been broadcasting on radio in Los Angeles since 1982. His popular show became nationally syndicated in 1999 and airs live, Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to Noon (Pacific Time) from his home station, KRLA. Dennis can be heard on 710KNUS from 11-1 weekdays or online at Townhall.com.  Widely sought after by television shows for his opinions, he's appeared on Larry King Live, Hardball, Hannity & Colmes, CBS Evening News, The Today Show and many others.  Dennis writes a syndicated column (Creators Syndicate) that is published in newspapers across the country and on the Internet. His writings have also appeared in major national and international publications including, Commentary, The Weekly Standard and The Wall Street Journal. Mr. Prager was a Fellow at Columbia University's School of International Affairs, where he did graduate work at the Middle East and Russian Institutes. He has taught Russian and Jewish history at Brooklyn College; and was appointed by President Ronald Reagan to the U.S. Delegation to the Vienna Review Conference on the Helsinki Accords. He holds an honorary doctorate of laws from Pepperdine University.

When: Friday, June 13, 2008

Where: The Wildlife Experience

10035 South Peoria, Parker

Time: 6:00pm

  $50 per person

$500 per table*

*includes 8 tickets with preferential placement and sponsor recognition

 Leaders of Colorado Members will receive a $10 discount

Light Hors D'oeuvres and Cash Bar

 Please RSVP by Tuesday, June 10

purchase tickets online at http://www.leadershipprogram.org/2008-graduation or call 303-488-0018 or email jenn@leadershipprogram.org

Dear Friend,

The past few months have been very busy for the LPR.  After completing a very successful Retreat we had a Legislative Shadowing Day, where LPR alumni and class members shadowed Legislators at the State Capitol for the day.  One of our current class members, Brian Schwartz even got an opportunity to testify in front of the health care committee. 

We hope all of you will join us for the next big LPR event, our Leadership Celebration event on Friday, June 13th, featuring Dennis Prager. 

Best,

Shari Williams, President

APPLY NOW for the LPR Class of 2008-2009.  Visit our website to pull down a PDF or apply directly on line.  Applications are due by Friday, August 29, 2008.

Board of Directors

The Hon. Bob Schaffer-Chairman
Alex Cranberg
Helen Krieble
Ed McVaney
Mark Hillman
The Hon. Jeannie Reeser
Shari Williams-President

Skin in the Game

Bob Schaffer, Chairman

Candidates for public office often struggle to explain how your interests would be served by giving them your vote.  How many make you want to volunteer your time or make a financial investment? 

The common disconnection isn't limited to politics.  Managers often assume subordinates understand the relationship between a task and themselves.  Taking the time to explain it can be the difference between organizational success and failure.

Attention to self interest must be built into strategies for policy change or product development, too.  It's important to appeal to the virtuous concept of self interest which is different than the ignoble one of selfishness.

The late economist Milton Friedman brilliantly summarized the role of self interest in achieving economic efficiency.  He noted:

When I spend my money on you, I care about the cost but not so much the quality.  When I spend your money on me, I care about the quality but not so much the cost. 

The worst of all worlds is when I spend your money on you because I care neither about the quality nor the cost.  Naturally, the best scenario is when I spend my money on me.  That's when my concern for the cost and quality is greatest. 

Whether in education policy, health care, in the workplace, on a sales call or on the campaign trail, giving others skin in the game is the quickest path to efficiency.

At LPR, we treat freedom as more than an ethereal construct.  We rely on real strategies that make the noble cause of American freedom a personal responsibility; the cost and quality of which are better appreciated by all. 

Recent LPR Class Speakers

March 2008

Dr. Rulon Stacey- President, Poudre Valley Health Systems

Dr. Vernard Gant- Directory, Urban School Services ACSI

The Honorable Victor Mitchell- Colorado State Legislator

Mike Rosen- KOA Radio Talk Show Host

April 2008

Fred Smith- President, Competitive Enterprise Institute

William Perry Pendley- President, Mountain States Legal Foundation

Scott Moore- Vice President of Gas Marketing, Anadarko Energy

Steve Moore- Wall Street Journal

Special Thanks to Anadarko Energy for sponsoring our April class and to Colorado Christian College for graciously providing our April location.

Each month LPR's current leadership class explores a different series of current issues relative to both National and State policy.  Future leaders are encouraged to continually and practically apply the fundamental principles set forth in the U.S. Constitution and subsequently develop the ability to critically examine, defend and discuss the aforementioned virtues with knowledge, understanding and wisdom.  The following expose is a synopsis from the annual Broadmoor retreat weekend seminars in February.

The Letter C

Raines Guinn, LPR Class Member 2008

A look back on our recent class retreat reveals a Common theme.  Terrific Company and Conversation to be sure, but a repeatable pattern resembled the sights and sounds of Common sense. 

Our citizenship in the United States is our national character. Our citizenship in any particular state is only our local distinction. By the latter we are known at home, but the former to the world. Our great title is Americans
- Thomas Paine

Citizenship.  Our collective willingness to be aware of the realities that define the current state of our world, to understand our issues and shepherd the cause of freedom, is a responsibility that the members of LPR accept and practice. And during our retreat, we were certainly made aware.

Churchill. A fine beginning to an important weekend; Dr. James Humes entertained us with his impersonations of the great man and taught us that the ear is 100^th of the eye.  He reminded us that although we might learn to sound like Churchill, no one is likely to listen unless we exhibit the courage to live our values and stand like Lincoln.

Climate.  What many of us suspected, Dr. Pat Michaels confirmed. The global warming chatter promoted by Al Gore and a coven of opportunistic scientists can't hold a bucket of hot water. What we learned from his comments and by reading his book, Meltdown, will prepare us to argue in favor of the truth.

Conspirators. As we viewed the trailer of the new documentary produced by Steve Emerson, a chill filled the room. The post 9/11 political climate has slipped toward appeasement rather than action and our homeland is at risk.  An appropriate vigilance is found in gaining a further understanding of the facts by reading his latest work, Jihad Incorporated, and building this essential information into our daily platform.

Capitalism.  Jonathan Hoenig reinforced our appreciation of and dedication to the ideals of economic freedom. By defending and promoting free market principles we will continue to maintain the promise of prosperity that is the trademark of our country.

And there was more. Local issues were identified and explained by Linda Gorman, Cory Gardner, Frank McNulty, and Dick Wadhams.  Mike Rosen delivered the clear message that while we maintain our conservative values we must also be willing to adapt to a changing landscape where inclusion of varied views outweighs exclusion of past interpretations.

We adjourned the session with the wisdom of John Fund who, amid ObamaMania, rallied the troops with valuable perceptions and helpful insights that we will use to stay the course through November.

The remarkable weekend was filled with making new contacts, enjoying the company of good-natured companions, and reinforcing our conservative principles against the backdrop of an uncertain election year. And the location of our event, the majestic Broadmoor Hotel, staffed with top professionals that delivered five star service;..well, that was just plain cool.

Perhaps the message that underscored each session is best illustrated by another quote of Thomas Paine.  George Washington thought highly enough of these words to have them read to his troops on the eve the Battle of Trenton.

The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of his country; but he that stands it now deserves the love and thanks of man and woman.

Upcoming Events

Friday, June 6-  LPR QUARTERLY BREAKFAST MEETING, Featuring David Harsanyi, Panera Bread at 13th and Grant at 7am, RSVP to jenn@leadershipprogram.org

Friday, June 13 -  Final LPR Session and Graduation, Wildlife Experience, Parker, CO

Friday, June 13 -  Leadership Celebration featuring Dennis Prager, Wildlife Experience, Parker, CO, 6:00pm, RSVP online at http://www.leadershipprogram.org/2008-graduation or call 303-488-0018 or email jenn@leadershipprogram.org

Friday, August 29-  LPR Application Due for 2008-2009 LPR Class.