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From the Leadership Institute
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The Leadership Institute Mourns the Loss of Eugene H. Methvin
Eugene H. Methvin, a member of the Leadership Institute’s Board of Directors for 10 years, passed away at his home in McLean, Virginia on January 19, 2012.
Gene dedicated his life to fight against the evils of communism, crime, and corruption. Over his 42-year career, Eugene contributed more than 100 articles to the Reader’s Digest on topics ranging from the U.S. Supreme Court, civil liberties and constitutional law, the U.S. defense posture, Kremlin politics, and U.S.-Soviet relations.
His articles on organized crime in Reader’s Digest led to the passage of the Organized Crime Control Act of 1970. In 1983, President Ronald Reagan appointed Gene to the President’s Commission on Organized Crime as one of its 19 members. Eugene directed the commission’s investigation and hearings on labor-management racketeering.
Starting in the mid 1960s, he was a great personal mentor of Morton Blackwell, who founded LI in 1979.
Gene was author of Rise of Radicalism, one of the Leadership Institute’s Read to Lead books. In the book, Eugene examines what might be called the fundamentals of leftism: propaganda, confrontation, organization, and violence.
“I consider myself fortunate to have been allowed to play the piccolo in the great parade of American democracy for nearly half a century,” Gene wrote before his death. “During that time, the American people defeated and brought down two evil empires: the Teamsters Union and the Soviet Union, and I and my piccolo had a hand in both. That is enough for me.”
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Naples Councilman: LI Training Is Essential For Success In Politics
City Councilman for the City of Naples Sam Saad, III brings a wealth of experience with him to the job: attorney; business entrepreneur and owner; former presidential campaigner; and political appointee for the Department of Labor, among others jobs working for Members of Congress and a governor.
“We have wonderful people and wonderful potential in our town,” Sam said. “It is my goal to ensure that Naples remains THE premier place to live, work, and raise a family—today and tomorrow.”
Sam’s main focus, he says, is economic development in the downtown area. “Specifically, I am working to reduce fees, permitting times, and zoning issues so that Naples is a more attractive place to invest.”
Sam took LI’s Campaign Leadership School in November of 1995.
“Going to the Leadership Institute’s Campaign Leadership School was the jumping off point from volunteer to professional campaigner,” Sam said. “I use those skills to manage my business and my political office.”
When asked about the Institute’s programs, Sam said: “LI training is INVALUABLE. It is essential for success in politics whether an elected official or an activist.”
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LI’s Grassroots Coordinator Brennan Ward -- Trains 856 students in 9 Months
Brennan Ward joined the Leadership Institute’s Grassroots department in April 2011, and on Tuesday was recognized by LI President Morton Blackwell as “Employee of the Quarter” at the all-staff meeting.
“Brennan has helped to design several campaign training exercises which has given the Grassroots and Political Training departments a creative way to teach and engage students,” said Morton. “He has been willing to take on any task given to him and has been a great asset to the team.”
Brennan managed 20 different
trainings ranging from Grassroots Activism to Campaign Management to Fundraising workshops. In nine months Brennan trained 856 students, giving up many a weekend for the road where he traveled weeks at a time.
“I’ve seen parts of the country you’d otherwise never be able to see,” Brennan said. “I’ve trained conservatives from the Redwoods of Oregon to the coastlines of California to the cornfields of Iowa.”
LI’s Grassroots Activism School is the program closest to Brennan’s heart because it allows him the opportunity to interact closely with voters and learn their viewpoints while networking with leading conservatives in the movement.
“Grassroots activism is the building block for anyone preparing to pursue a career in politics,” Brennan said.
