ORGANIZING FOR AMERICA 2011 SUMMER ORGANIZERS.

States News Service June 23, 2011 BOISE, ID — The following information was released by the Idaho Democratic Party:

The OFA Summer Organizer Program has brought eight dynamite individuals to our office! We are so excited that they are willing to volunteer their time and talents throughout the summer.

Region 1 Shelby Scott Hey, my name is Shelby Scott and I am a Democrat. I was born and raised in Las Vegas, Nevada to government employees. My parents have worked very hard throughout the years to give me the opportunities I have today. I attend college at Boise State University where I am studying Political Science and History. I played organized sports as a child, but living in beautiful Idaho has really opened me up to different activities. In my spare time I like to bike, read and go on hikes. During the winter, I am an avid ski bum who likes to get up to the mountain as soon as class is over. Live music is something that I am extremely passionate about as well and I love to just hang out on the green lawn and listen to the wonderful tunes.

I am so excited to be working for Organizing for America this summer. I believe that President Obama has fixed a lot of things in Washington, but needs another term to finish his ideas. I am thrilled to be working with students and young people as well. This is our time to decide how America can grow and we cannot let this opportunity slip away.

Region 2 Stefana Klipa:

My name is Stefana Klipa, I am currently a student at Renaissance Magnet High School. I was born in Croatia and moved to the United States in 2004. I am an extremely determined and motivated individual. My hobbies include; reading, debating, dancing, tennis, working out, involving myself in school and community projects, and occasionally watching TV. I am a student of the Arabic language and I hope to further my knowledge by studying abroad next summer. I enjoy exotic food and going to new restaurants. I hope to further expand my knowledge by taking part in the OFA this summer, and I firmly believe it will open numerous doors in the future. My favorite pastimes are spent with my family outdoors or with friends exploring our beautiful state.

“What does it mean to you to be a Summer Organizer for the Democratic Party?” Being a Summer Organizer for the Democratic Party allows me to explore our state and opens numerous opportunities to educate my peers and community. Furthermore, I have an chance to explore the political system and open myself to new philosophies and ideas. Ergo, working with the OFA will allow me to take part in a tremendously important community service and will further my self-development. I have an chance to work with individuals who share my viewpoints and we will venture into a state who’s ideals of government and society and different than our own and I hope to represent the Democratic Party in its full glory. this web site organizing for america

Region 3 Michael Weaver:

I’m a lifelong Democrat who moved from California to Idaho when I was eight. I started closely following politics in 2004, but didn’t really get into activism until the fight over healthcare. I am currently a sophomore at the University of Idaho, and am the president of the College Democrats there. I was a Summer Organizer for OFA in 2010, and was a paid canvasser for the coordinated campaign in Latah County. I’m looking forward to retaking the house in 2012.

Being a Summer Organizer means having the opportunity help President Obama make our country a better place to live. The Democratic party is the reason that we have a safety net in this country for the less fortunate, and the reason we still have it. The Democratic party and this administration is the reason that we finally have a system of national healthcare for all Americans. Being a Summer Organizer means helping this administration continue to be a success, and working to maintain and strengthen worker’s rights, and the rights of all Americans.

Region 4 Christy Jacobson:

My name is Christy Jacobson. I am originally from Mississippi, call Colorado my home, and currently live in Idaho. Being born in the South basically meant I was born a Republican. I never thought to question my political beliefs until I left Mississippi and moved to Colorado. I even voted for Bush. Twice! I have a 20 month old son Ethan (who will be volunteering with me) and a husband, Nathan. We moved to Idaho for my husband to work. I am a full time student and a stay at home mother. I am so happy to have been selected as a Summer Organizer. I look at this as my chance to make up for being partly responsible for the state of our country (I voted for Bush). I am a true believer in President Obama. I believe that he has made great change in this country despite the voices of opposition (who may be loud, but not necessarily right). I believe that each and every one of us can and will make a difference. I believe in us!

Region 4 Jessica Hertling My personal work in politics began in the Summer of 2010 as an intern to the Idaho Democratic Legislative Caucus (IDLC). During that same Summer I also became employed as Field Director and Volunteer Coordinator to a local Senate campaign. Over the last year I have coordinated two successful fundraising events for the IDLC, served as an intern to the Idaho Democratic Party, and have been elected to serve my local Legislative District as a Precinct Captain.

I was born and raised in Boise, Idaho, one of three daughters to progressively minded parents. I attended local schools and graduated from Borah High School in 2001. After high school I ventured north to Moscow and the University of Idaho. I graduated from the U of I in 2006 with a B.S. in Psychology and an academic minor in English. While at the UI I served as President to Alpha Phi Sorority and Student Issues Board Chair to the Associated Students of the University of Idaho. My experiences after graduating college include serving as legal intern to the ACLU of Idaho, Board Member to the Idaho Women’s Network and Ambassador the Women’s and Children’s Alliance, as well as fundraiser for Borah High School’s Booster Club. I lived in a Buddhist meditation center for one year. I have worked as a Psychosocial Rehabilitation Therapist, Legal Assistant. Since the age of seventeen I have worked at six different coffee shops and will be working as a Barista part-time during my time as a Summer Intern with OFA.

“What does it mean to you to be a Summer Organizer for the Democratic Party?” My service as a Summer Organizer for the Democratic Party will allow me the opportunity to build upon strengths and make connections with those who will both educate and empower myself and my fellow interns with the knowledge, message, and attitude necessary to ensure President Obama’s re-election in 2012.

Region 5 Kathleen McKevitt:

My first real job after college was teaching school at Misawa AFB in Japan. I immersed myself in the culture for three years, learned Judo, Japanese, and why sake’ is a devil. organizingforamericanow.net organizing for america

From there to being an international marketing manager for GE, to owning my own international marketing business, living in Germany, working with the World Economic Forum in Switzerland, I learned how people living in a new country create community and build cohesive and successful teams, businesses and nations around clear missions, visions , and trust. Today, as a freelance photojournalist, marketing consultant and public speaker those earlier experiences remain an asset.

Having been part of the Elect Obama campaign in 2008, it is exciting to again step into an opportunity with the Democratic Party, where people breathe the same desire to give back, to absorb the President’s goals and energy and share that with voting citizens. Working with the Democratic party and OFA can only mean an exhilarating opportunity. I am stepping into that river with both feet, heart and soul – for the sake of the team’s success; for the good of our nation; to re-elect Barack Obama, President of the United States of America.

Region 6 Nicole Hohnstein:

My name is Nicole Hohnstein, and I am a Summer Organizer for 2011. I was born and raised in Las Vegas, Nevada. Growing up in such a unique and well-known atmosphere gave me a dose of reality, as well as the drive and motivation to stand out in chaos. It was there that I was taught to accept others around me, and learned that hearing others’ opinions and voices can be exhilarating. After moving to Boise three years ago, I was taught the importance of a good education, and a tight-knit community. I love living in a place that is safe, friendly, and welcoming to all people. I thrive off of situations in which I can grow, exhibit my strength as an individual, and show my care for those around me and the community as a whole. That is why I love being a Summer Organizer for the Democratic Party – because I have the ability to help my country and preserve what the United States stands for: unity and acceptance. By being a Summer Organizer, I can do wonders for a cause that I believe in, and can help others feel the same inspiration that I do.

Region 7 Coming Soon:

Morgan Hill Chelsea Lincoln