Programs attended: Camp Wellstone
A staple of the Wellstone way of understanding politics is that you cannot just get what you really want without proper organization. Large amounts of patience are required to stand up against tough opposition and seemingly endless hours of toil to achieve the final goal. Judith Stadler is currently active with issue advocacy and grassroots lobbying in Wisconsin. She is working on a single payer health care plan to be introduced into legislation. Although she has not garnered success yet, she follows Camp Wellstone's action planning techniques. She puts her energy and resources to use in finding her target audience and constituents. Judith stresses the significance of working for long-term results with issue advocacy rather than settling on quick resolutions.
Before attending Camp Wellstone, Judith was deeply involved in politics. She "always went to events about issues and wrote letters" to express her commitment to activism. Post training, her level of dedication is the same, but "more purposeful." Today, she makes sure to be persistent and deliberate when contacting officials on issues she is passionate about.
Judith found her experience with Camp Wellstone vital to her advocacy. She learned the values of smart organizing skills, such as following a "step by step" method of achieving goals and objectives. She credits Camp Wellstone for teaching her successful ways to "find allies and be prepared for obstacles waiting ahead."
Judith's leadership skills were greatly influenced by Camp Wellstone. She remembered the important, strategic message of effectively "getting out" and being noticed in professional situations, and remaining consistently "aggressive when contacting state legislators." She plans on being visible and holding government accountable. When her issues do pass, Judith envisions them having a lasting impact, trusting that a track to success is made by the glory of the battle fought.