Q&A #4: Renee, The Connoisseur of Cool, Calm, and Collected

February 14, 2012 by Leave a Comment

For every sports movie you watched growing up as a kid, there was a reference by some old, cranky coach about how the glue keeps the team together, the bonds that cannot be broken, or something even more obscure. In his attempt to bring the team together, the coach pawned some ridiculous metaphor centered around someone, or something that brought everyone together to win. Maybe it was Air Bud. Maybe it was Henry Rowengartner. There’s some pop culture for you, but in the truest sense, Renee is the bond and the glue of Donehue Direct. She keeps it together, and by doing so keeps us together.

In an office where stress and personality dominate, Renee’s calm and careful demeanor provides an example for the men in the house to follow. Ever proper, her attention to detail, consistency, and dedication to this office make her example one to follow. Her personality allows her to organize, and to also read between the details of her work- something that the men often rely on her to spot before a final submission.

So, while she had a free moment we caught up with her and asked her a few questions. We published the appropriate ones, and filed the other ones in the back of our minds. What would you ask her? Well, we covered all the bases and I’m sure you’ll agree:

So Renee, what is your favorite book?

To Kill a Mockingbird. It’s the first book I ever read that made me think about what I was reading. The experience of “reflective” reading started with this book and then inspired me to eventually study English in college.

What is your favorite song?

Good by Better Than Ezra
(Tunage Break)

Who is your favorite politician?

Vaclev Havel*
*B.A. of International Politics didn’t know who this was either. World Renowned intellectual, anti-Soviet dissident, and first President of the free Czech Republic. Dedicated his life to freeing and Westernizing the Iron Curtain. Rock on, Havel.

What do you think is your biggest asset to our work?

Based on the questions I get, it seems that it would be my mad grammar skills. I have a degree in English, and someone’s always got a question about singular v. plural.

Why do you like being a geek?

Because I was home schooled

Best memory working here?

Anytime that my cheeks hurt from laughter. Someone is always cutting up or telling a joke.

Biggest Screw Up?

Ha! I’ll summarize as: working too quickly. And that’s why I’m calm.

What makes you love politics?

AMERICA! (Author’s note: not calm for this one)

Describe yourself. As something you can buy at Wal-Mart?

Anything

What does America smell like?

Teen spirit?

Well, while America might not smell like teen spirit these days, Donehue Direct smells like team spirit. And Renee is someone who makes this dream a reality. She’s always working hard, and always doing her best to make sure that every loose end gets tied up. We appreciate her for it, and we love the example she sets for the entire office. Hopefully, her work and her example will only grow from here, and she will continue to be the flag-bearer for others to follow.

Until next time….

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Your Introduction To Geekdom- April 19th-20th

February 7, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Looking for something cool to do?

Come check out the Campaign Tech Conference, April 19-20th. It will be awesome.

Of course, we say this because our very own Wesley Donehue will be hosting a panel, “Give-o-Nomics: How Technology Behavioral Economics Are Changing Campaign Finance”. This panel will draw from his expertise in online fund-raising, and strategic knowledge of how to solicit funds using technological innovation.

Wesley is no stranger to the conference. Last year, he was named a rising star and GOP Innovator of The Year. These credentials make it clear that hosting a panel on the subject is something that anyone should be able to learn from attending.

Also, it’s just a good excuse to get up to Washington, D.C.

The conference includes training, workshops, other panels, round-table events, and socials. For anyone looking to discover the latest trends in Tech Politics, this is the mecca- the calling- the Great Bambino.

Of course, there’s a price. Early Bird Admission is $525 for the weekend. For students, the price drops to $380. For more info, click here.

We hope to see you there. This will be the highlight of the year for Tech and Politics. And check out their promo vid:

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Get Out And Be Somebody

January 17, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Reality: You Can Own It, Or It Can Own You

IT’S the solar eclipse of politics, and it only happens once every 4 (or 8) years.

It’s the time when importance and relevance is finally cast on the great state of South Carolina, and our opinion truly matters.

Eight years is a long time span, with four seeming to be just as much. For someone in their formidable years, it can mean the difference of pursuing a career (or life) path that they wouldn’t normally pursue, or taking the easy corporate route. Something about the lights, the cameras, and the action can truly leave one in a stupor.

Fortunately for me, I had Barry Goldwater on my bookshelf when I was 15. But for others, the primary season can be the catalyst for recognizing an unfound love. When you’re in a room at arms-length with important Senators, news anchors, and ”movers and shakers”, it’s easy to look to your left, right, and say, and “what do these people have that I don’t…I’m doing this.” It’s the hyperactive grind of the political beat that can literally blindside you into a career that until that moment, you least expected.

The next couple days in S.C. are important for the election, and with that, there’s ever-important things going on every day. If you aren’t already involved, go be. Campaigns are being run, debates (like the FREE FOR STUDENTS SRLC DEBATE in Charleston) are being held, and media is all over Columbia like white on rice. In our age, it’s even easier to get involved. Tweeting, blogging, and putting your opinions out there is a first step. There’s opportunity around just about every corner. Why don’t you do it? It could possibly start a love affair with politics that got hold on me years ago.

That love died for a while, but it’s coming back. Slowly. Politics is about finding the right people, and being loyal to them. It’s a pretty simple concept, and who knows- one handshake backstage could set it off for you.

So, get out of bed and get involved. Expose yourself to new surroundings. Then, decide what to be and go be it.

-RAS

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