Leona McElevene

Name:	Leona McElevene
Location:	Warren, MI
Where I blog:	Michigan Liberal

My Experience in progressive politics:

I'm an elected Democratic Precinct Delegate in Macomb County, Warren, MI. I am a former "Netroots Candidate" for the Office of Warren City Clerk, however, I did not occupy the seat in 2007.

My personal volunteering highlight:

I hold a Master of Arts degree in Organizational Leadership. I am an active member of the Macomb County Democratic Party and Macomb County Democratic Executive Committee. Recently, I attended a "Voting Rights Express" gathering in support of the Macomb County Clerk's right to send out Absentee Ballot Applications to voters. A lawsuit had been filed against the Macomb County Clerk Office and I attended/supported the hearing at the Michigan Court of Appeals in Detroit, Michigan. In 2006 I worked in the Michigan 12th Congressional District Co-ordinated Campaign Office to help re-elect Michigan Governor, Jennifer M. Granholm and Senator Debbie Stabenow.

Steps I've taken to combine on-line and off-line action:

I blog/post about upcoming and/or past political/progressive events and I attend those same events. For example, after attending a meeting about the Michigan Universal Health Care campaign ballot initiative, I took out petitions and began gathering signatures (without pay) all over the City of Warren, Michigan.

Why I want to attend Netroots Nation:

Last year, I attended the Yearly Kos 2007 Convention in Chicago, and I found it to be a transformative postitive experience.
This past weekend (June 7th & 8th, 2008), I attended a DFA Grassroots Campaign Training in Lansing, MI. Afterwards, Matt Blizek, DFA Training Director, informed me that DFA was giving away scholarships to Netroots Nation 2008 located in Austin, Texas.

What I want to get out of Netroots Nation:

I hope to increase/enhance my online organizing skills; to become a more effective Netroots Activist and a progressive political blogger; and to meet and make new friends.

What is a progressive activist:

"Nobody's free until everybody's free" - Fannie Lou Hamer.

How I think blogs fit into the progressive movement:

Blogs fit into the progressive movement by playing an important/critical role in fulfilling the need for INDEPENDENT sources of news (accurate/truthful news) media in the USA.

How I think Democracy For America fits into the progressive movement:

The DFA Training Academy is outstanding! It offers ways to empower individual citizens through its excellent educational offerings.

In 10 words or less, create a bumper-sticker slogan against John McCain:

DEAR JOHN: It's over between us. GOODBYE!