Why every professional should get involved in politics
In this week’s #GeniusLive video series, we had the opportunity to dig deep into the topic of political involvement, and learned from three experts that getting involved doesn’t necessarily mean you have to become a politician, rather, getting involved at a very local level can not only make a tremendous change in your community, but expose you and your business to an expanded network, not to mention, even just a few people banding together can effect change for their entire industry.
Politics can be as local as your neighborhood, and as national as communicating regularly with your elected representatives, and it came up several times in the following video that showing up is half of the battle, and often representation is simply based on who arrives and gets involved – something many entrepreneurs and tech experts don’t do.
Drum roll for the final video:
In under an hour, you’ll learn how three experts began their involvement, you’ll pick up tips on how you can get involved, what changes you can have an impact on, and why it is important:
The panelists include:
- David Holmes is a former long-time capitol staffer; two-term, elected member of the Democratic National Committee; and life-long political campaign activist. In addition to being a columnist here at AGBeat, he is the Founder and Owner of Intrepid Solutions, and has over 20 years experience planning for, avoiding, and solving crises in the public policy, political, and private sectors. David is also a professional mediator and has worked in the Texas music scene.
- Shireen Mitchell – web strategist, speaker, trainer, and thought leader in media, tech, and politics. She is currently the Director of Online Communications at the Center for Partnership Studies, Founder of Tech Media Swirl / Women Wired In, and the Co-Chair at Media and Technology Task Force (NCWO).
- Richard MacKinnon – serial entrepreneur and expert in taking products and services from ideation to production, with a focus on web-based technologies. He has a background in public policy development and is a “believer in good government,” and in addition to most recently founding Mifft.com and BorgFest, he is the current Commissioner, Downtown Commission at the City of Austin and is the Urban Transportation Commissioner.
- Lani Rosales, Chief Operating Officer at AGBeat moderated this panel of experts.
