VCC Magazine Summer 2020

V irginia C apitol C onnections , S ummer 2020 22 The Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership has long been associated with helping to develop bipartisan leadership and cultivating the values of trust, civility, and respect that are important to building a reputation on Capitol Square and getting things done in the General Assembly and in state government. With the dramatic changes that have affected Virginia this year—changing majorities in the General Assembly, the COVID-19 pandemic, economic disruption, interruption of education, and calls for change in addressing inequities in our society—Sorensen remains committed to bipartisan principles. Our mission in challenging times is to help develop and highlight effective leadership that results from building trust and working together to address the challenges and opportunities that Virginians experience in their daily lives. We are pursuing this mission with renewed vigor, but with different methods, as our programs have experienced schedule changes and have moved online. This summer, we are running multiple programs at once—including our flagship Political Leaders Program (33 participants), Candidate Training Program (15 participants), and High School Leaders Program (32 participants). Our program participants have been enthusiastic and engaged even as we have not been able to meet in person since our opening Political Leaders Program weekend in March inWilliamsburg and Yorktown. Two key developments have occurred this summer that are building a sense of excitement around Sorensen. 22nd Century Scholars Internship Upon learning that many students were losing public sector summer internship opportunities due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Sorensen Institute joined with UVA’s Center for Politics, Miller Center for Presidential Studies, and the Batten School for Leadership and Public Policy to create the 22nd Century Scholars program, a five- week internship via Zoom for approximately 60 interns. The program is so named because these scholars will, through their work, make a lasting impact on public policy that extends into the 22nd century. Sorensen’s interns are studying crises faced by the past six Governors of Virginia, hearing from speakers who were involved in the Commonwealth's responses to those crises, preparing a memorandum and presentation highlighting best practices and effective leadership lessons to help those facing crises in the future. In addition to studying past crises, the students are drawing parallels to crises facing Virginia and the nation today. Students participate in daily online seminars where they learn about Virginia history and engage in leadership development exercises. They are also able to interact with key government officials. In the first weeks of the program, speakers included the Chiefs of Staff to U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (Mike Henry) and U.S. Senator Mark Warner (Mike Harney). On the state level, the have heard from Chiefs of Staff and Deputy Chiefs of Staff to Governors Gilmore (Boyd Marcus), Warner (Bill Leighty), Kaine (Bill Leighty andWayne Turnage), McDonnell (Martin Kent), McAuliffe (Paul Reagan and Suzette Denslow), and Northam (Clark Mercer). We are proud of our Sorensen internship cohort: Roark Corson, Nidhi Desai, Thomas Driscoll, Martha Gallagher, McClain Moran, Alec Scicchitano, JaVori Warren, and MaggieWells. John W. Warner Endowed Scholarship Fund The COVID-19 pandemic has presented significant financial challenges to nonprofit organizations and Sorensen is no different. The indefinite postponement of its annual Richmond gala has significantly affected Sorensen’s revenues and budget. One very positive development has been kicking off the funding for the newly-established John W. Warner Endowed Scholarship Fund with a $150,000 donation from the fund’s namesake, former U.S. Senator JohnW. Warner (R-Virginia). Developing Leaders,Trust,Civility and Respect By Larry Roberts Download the Virginia Capitol Connections App Today! virginiaredbook.com Senator Warner has long sought to encourage people to consider a career in public service office which, together with military service, are the greatest service one can provide to our country. He believes the Sorensen Institute provides the education and experiences people need to be successful in building a career in public service, whether through effective community leadership or through elective and appointed office. Warner expounded on his views about Sorensen and its bipartisan, public service mission in a two-part podcast series. The Senator expressed his belief in the importance of working together in a bipartisan manner to develop facts, exchange opinions, and get down to the work of creating solutions on key issues that will have a profound impact on future generations. He noted that “America has always been the land of dreams. People dream in this county and the dreamers occasionally get some things done well.” Warner praised Sorensen for “doing good not just for Virginia, but for all of America. Through a bipartisan spirit, you bring people back from the poles by closing the distance and making solutions possible.” For many, John Warner has epitomized public service. We are deeply appreciative for his service, his generous support of the Sorensen Institute, and the time he has devoted to our bipartisan programs promoting effective leadership. For a link to the podcast, visit the Weldon Cooper Center home page: coopercenter.org . Larry Roberts is Director of the Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership. For more information about Sorensen, go to sorenseninstitute.org . Larry Roberts can be contacted at: larry. roberts@virginia.edu V