My Point of View by Brian Hensley

The most important thing that happens is not on the agenda. It does not happen at a certain time. It just happens. That item is the building of relationships, and we want to invite you to attend!

This coming Saturday, the Freeborn County Republican Party will be hosting the 2015 Freeborn County Convention at the American Legion in Albert Lea from 9 to 11 a.m.

This event is an opportunity to meet many of the local people who help recruit candidates and volunteer on candidate committees during elections. Local leadership is elected at this meeting. Changes to the local party Constitution are proposed and discussed, and ultimately decided upon. A local county convention is a time for people to come together, to meet their neighbors, to discuss things of local importance. Those discussions often happen in small informal groups as old and new friendships are made. Freeborn County is blessed to have so many people who care about the future.

It is intimidating going to a group meeting if you never attended before, but I ask that you step outside your comfort zone and attend. I can promise you several things: First, everyone will welcome you.

Whether you are “seated” as an official delegate or attend just to hear what’s being discussed, you will be welcomed. Second, you will learn something. Finally, you will build relationships if you choose to.

As a recent transplant from another state, I can tell you personally, I was welcomed. I was encouraged to become involved. My opinions were listened to. I learned. I was encouraged to find ways I could help.

What does this group believe in? Within the Freeborn County Republican Party and within the leadership group, those opinions are quite varied on any given subject; but there does tend to be some overriding values or beliefs. There is no requirement that you believe in 100 percent of the county party platform, or that you only feel one way on any given issue.

Many attendees would quickly use the word conservative to describe themselves. Meaning they value family, they value hard work, independence and a reliance on one’s self first. The government is there to protect citizens from foreign threats and from criminals. The government exists to protect its citizens, not provide for their every need.

Many attendees support smaller government, lower taxes, limited regulations, free enterprises, strong foreign policy, a respect for the U.S. military, a strong faith in their religion and putting their family first.

Although many attendees have some or all of these values, everyone has their own values.  The party is determined by those who attend and speak their opinions. It is not shaped by those who stay home and complain.

There will be many excuses to not attend. Attending a local county convention is the next step of being actively involved. It’s taking the next step in democracy beyond voting. It is the first step in shaping the candidates and the political parties that you ultimately end up voting for and that then guide our city, county, state and nation.

During election season, I often hear people complain about the people who are running for office.

“They are the same.”

“They don’t represent my thoughts.”

“I don’t know where they get their ideas!”

“They don’t want to move this city, county, state, nation forward. They only look out for their interests.”

Attending a local convention is your opportunity to do more than just complain at election time. It is your opportunity to get to know the people that are thinking about running for offices. It is your opportunity to share your opinions on how issues should be handled. It is your opportunity to see how these people carry themselves, how they persuade people to support them. It is your opportunity to show others that feel the same way as you do that they are not alone.

The convention is only two hours on a Saturday morning. The Freeborn County Republican Party invites you to join us, share your opinion and help guide us! We hope to see you on Saturday at the American Legion in Albert Lea.

 

Brian Hensley is a volunteer with the Freeborn County Republican Party and local financial adviser with Intego Financial Group.