Elected officials and campaign professionals show citizens how to get involved in politics

Bellwether Forum, a non-profit organization based in Houston, is sponsoring a one-day seminar for anyone interested in getting involved in politics, whether running for a campaign, or supporting a position. Seminar: April 24th 9-5, Location at University of St. Thomas. More information: http://www.bellwetherforum.org/courses

HOUSTON, TX (PRWEB) April 10, 2004 --Although politics" is frequently used as a pejorative term, everyone knows it affects us every day. To many people, political involvement and success are elusive, and attained only through birthright or insider connections. But, on April 24th, the nonprofit educational group Bellwether Forum will pull back the shroud, revealing for one and all how to get involved in politics, through its course Politics 101.

Anyone can run for office if he or she knows how the process works," said Clinton Gillespie, Vice President of Bellwether Forum. Bellwether Forum is an entry point to educate and engage the uninvolved, so they can pursue political and public policy goals of their own choosing."

The Politics 101 seminar will be held on Saturday, April 24th, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., at the University of St. Thomas. Politics 101 is a practical, how to" seminar with speakers who share their knowledge and experience in a way that participants can apply immediately. For example, Houston City Councilman Michael Berry and State Representative Corbin Van Arsdale will deliver one of the most popular lectures, Planning To Run For Office." In this lecture, Berry and Van Arsdale give a game plan for what one needs to do to prepare to run for office, as well as successes and failures they experienced in their own campaigns.

Robert Painter, president of Bellwether Forum said, Politics 101 changes peoples perceptions about the campaign experience and shows them that they can get involved in politics, or even run for office, even if they are of modest means. Politics is a game of skills, and Politics 101 is the first step to master those skills, right here in Houston."

Previous seminar attendees included Lee Zieben who recently ran for Texas state representative in the 137th district who said, I learned more in the Politics 101 lecture on 'Building a Base of Peers and Supporters' than I did in 20 lunches and meetings with political advisors all over Houston." Another attendee was Asher Belles, a chemist for a Houston factory, who said, Bellwether Forum classes served as the formal education in politics I never received. These classes opened my mind and brought me into the political process. The relationships forged at Bellwether are indispensable."

Gillespie continued, Our 'nuts and bolts seminars attract people with a varied experience in politics, from novice to advance, because the information covered is valuable on so many levels."

For more information about Bellwether Forums seminar, Politics 101, or to register, visit www.bellwetherforum.org/courses, or contact Clint Gillespie at cgillespie@bellwetherforum.org or by telephone at 713-522-1008. Politics 101 tuition is only $135, and includes all materials and meals.

About Bellwether Forum
Bellwether Forum is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, non-partisan organization based in Houston, Texas. It provides a forum for professionals to learn and share ideas about government and public policy.
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