Posted by CharleneN on 09/16/09 11:30 AM [Newer: Don't wait for the next election to get "on board"] [Older: Renae hits another home run]

It doesn't take much to make an impact on the politics in your community.  If you've taken the Local Coordinator training, you've already taken a huge step to being an effective leader in your community.  Local Coordinator training will equip you with the information and resources you need to make a difference.

We've often talked about the three areas of involvement: party involvement, issue involvement and running for office.  Well, I've just taken the plunge and have become an office holder.  Today I was appointed the Municipal Judge for Casselton.  ND laws allow cities smaller than 5000 to have judges who are not attorneys.  I am filling an unexpired term, so I will be running for election in June 2010.

This is a small position.  I will only hear traffic and city ordinance violations (except for 3rd time DUIs.)  Court is held two times a month and many times there are no cases to hear.  But if anyone remembers the kerfuffle with David Habiger earlier this year, one aspect of his case (the junk cars in his yard) was decided in Casselton's municipal court.  So no Kelo vs. New London cases, but maybe smaller, lesser known, Habiger-type cases.

This wasn't hard at all.  In fact, it was embarrassingly easy.  Casselton ran an ad in the paper, I responded and sent in a resume.  Now remember, I am a SAHM.  I haven't held a real job in 18 years.  But I wrote up a resume that listed my political involvement and my community service (I volunteer at the library, local nursing home and have worked a lot in Cub Scouts.)  Apparently this was good enough for our City Commission, because I got appointed without an interview, based solely on my resume and my reputation. 

And now I'll have nine or ten months to further establish my reputation in the community before the next election.  I'll also be going to training in Bismarck and be meeting and networking with others in the state and local municipal system.  All of this is good experience and will make me more effective for future political races (mine or others I want to help along.)

So keep your eyes open.  There are lots of boards, commissions and committees you can get appointed to.  Some go begging to be filled and all will give you a door into the political process.  If a homeschooling mom from rural ND can get appointed as a municipal judge, you can easily do the same or similar.

Start today by getting the Coordinator Training.  And then attend local city or county council meetings, ask questions and find your place at the table.

Posted 09/09/09 2:58 PM Elaine Prairie City, OR

You are an inspiration, Charlene!

Posted 09/09/09 11:46 PM LawyerLynn Overland Park, KS

Charlene! I am so proud of you. After I read your post earlier tonight, I quickly wrote a letter to another C4L member who I went to law school with ... I went on about "small" - I just couldn't wait to tell him about you and send the link to your post. Here's part of what I wrote, and like Elaine says above: You are an inspiration. I am really proud of this lady, for some reason, maybe because it’s about small, but small is sometimes all it takes. Like the great battle at Thermopylae! A SMALL force of “Spartans, Thespians, and Thebans led by King Leonidas (approximately 300 were full Spartiates, 700 were Thespians, and 400 were Thebans; these numbers do not reflect casualties incurred prior to the final battle), made a legendary last stand at the Battle of Thermopylae against the massive Persian army, inflicting a very high casualty rate on the Persian forces before finally being encircled.” And, even though ultimately defeated, courageous they stood together until the end, one & all, losing only because of the treason of one greedy man. As SMALL as small can be, one greedy man, like Judas for his silver pieces, turned the tide. Packing the one mountain trail up from the sea, shoulder to shoulder they stood, shields interlocked & swords at the ready. A human barrier of protection against the invaders - the mighty Persian empire. But it wasn’t the only path to their city. Hidden in the rocks, was a small goat trail, known only to those who lived there. This scoundrel Judas sold his brothers, the Spartans, for a SMALL amount of money to show those Persians the back road up the mountain pass. On the other cheerier end of the scale, we’ve all heard stories of someone who didn’t commit suicide because another person showed one small amount of kindness or compassion or attention. You never can predict the magnitude of an unexpected show of even the smallest of gestures of courage, generosity or sincere compassion. Small is the new Big, eh?! How many times do we hesitate because we're "small" ??? Too small to make any difference. Who will listen to such a small crowd, small voice? Why should I talk to such a small audience? What difference can it make? Bob Marley was small - barely 5'4" and from small village, on small island. For the first years of his singing career he lived in a small closet in back of the small studio. His pay for years was small change. But he knew he had a purpose and a message. And he knew that if you have courage to step up to the mike, and keep going even if everything is small, at some point, small + small + small .... gets big. CONGRATS to C4L's newest judge! Charlene! /s/ Lynn Roberts

Posted 09/16/09 11:49 AM LibertyMage Baltimore, MD

This is excellent! Congratulations!

Posted 09/16/09 12:34 PM Scott from PA Hopwood, PA

It sounds to me that you had a real job for 18 years - hope you do well and get re-elected to you present job. Congratulations!

Posted 09/16/09 5:31 PM Live4Freedom Saginaw, MI

Wow, what an inspiration you are! I've just recently joined the liberty movement and have been asking myself how I can help get this message out to the people who need to hear it most. You have shown me that no matter who you are or what you do, there is something that you can do to further the movement. Congratulations on your appointment, and I hope you can get re-elected to continue the work towards spreading freedom for all Americans. God Bless!

Posted 09/16/09 5:33 PM sonsofliberty Fargo, ND

Good job Charlene!! I remember listening to you speak at the double wood inn on 13th ave in the heart of the Ron Paul campaign primaries when you said that "I would not be here if I did not think we could win". Well you don't have to look to far to see that we have won. The seed has been planted and liberty is starting to spread, a great organization spawned from liberty has formed, and 1207 has a hearing date! So I would like to thank you Charlene for your hard work and for your love of this country. Thank You!!

Posted 09/16/09 9:44 PM Adam de Angeli Ann Arbor, MI

Wonderful entry, Charlene. It is difficult to motivate new volunteers to complete Local Coordinator training. Nobody wants to master the basics. I think they, deep down, fear that it'll be harder than it actually. Thank you for this inspiring piece. I'm putting it on my state page!

Posted 09/17/09 3:10 PM Caleb Kinley Hot Springs, AR

Way to go Charlene...Make sure you carry your C4L pocket constitution with you to work..:-)

Posted 09/17/09 4:33 PM jclea Las Vegas, NV

What a great story. I don't think we have any right to complain about what is going on in our communities unless we're out there trying to change it. Thanks for sharing.

Posted 09/18/09 09:58 AM lexslexus Moorhead, MN

Great post, Charlene and I'm proud of your for taking action! Thank you for extending yourself for liberty.

Posted 09/27/09 1:11 PM Deanne Hunt Chelsea, MI

wow, cool story!