Thursday, December 04, 2008

Taking a leaf out of Obama's book - Yes WE CAN!

He may not have managed to take the Henley seat, but Stephen Kearney is using his vast experience of community development to help us build this party.

Tonight Bermondsey and Old Southwark Liberal Democrats have Stephen and Julia Olson as their guest speakers following their AGM (8pm at the South London Mission).


During the late 1980s Stephen and Julia set up a charity that creates networks of individuals who take a role in changing the way public services are delivered and changing the priorities of politicians through social action. In 1993 they trained in Citizen Organising with Ed Chambers and Ernie Cortez from the Industrial Areas Foundation in the States, the same organisation that trained Barack Obama to be an organiser. Tonight they will be speaking about how they could apply their unique organising process and training to equip the most energetic "agents of change" in the Liberal Democrats, to transform and shape British politics in the next 5 years.


I am sorry, that since I am only slowly emerging from my duvet chrysalis I will miss it, but I know Stephen and Julia are committed to sharing their knowledge with the wider party and I am excited about the impact they can and will have on our grass roots organisation.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Oh really? Are they not just using the LDs to drum up paid work for themselves?

Andy said...

Tut tut. sarahjane, such a cynic! Of course, the two are not mutually exclusive, as any good capitalist ought to know.

Linda Jack said...

Er.....Sarahjane,

Since when were we a wealthy enough party to pay folk for such things????? But frankly, if we want to grow as a party I for one will accept help from anyone rather than sniping from the sidelines.

Anonymous said...

Dear Sarah Jane,

We are very busy and very committed to this life long vocation.
Perhaps you would like to volunteer your time to explore the work and teach others.
If you were good I would be the first to support you to ensure you had the resources to deliver for our party.
Do get in touch
StephenKearney