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From Friday, October 21st through Sunday October 23rd 2011, Reform Partyleaders and organizers from across the country gathered at the MerrellInstitute in Bohemia, New York to meet fellow reformers, learn about currentissues, and plan strategy for 2012.

Mr. JD West (MO) and Ms. Jaime Dives (UT) expressed it well. “We had awonderful time,” Mr. West stated. “Thanks to everyone that put it on!” Ms.Dives agreed, saying that “Thanks to everybody! It was fun and so great tosee you all!”

The event was two and a half days of learning how to stop the bipolarleft-right gridlock that has gripped our nation, learn about current issues,get to know other Reformers and learn how to participate and be effective.

Attendees seemed to agree it was a tactical and strategic success as well asbeing enjoyable. Mr. Mark Kravis (CA) said that “A lightning bolt hasstruck politics as the Reform Party awakens. We should do more of these aroundthe country.” Ms. Pat Benjamin (NJ), a founding Reform Party member, alsosaw significant value in the event, stating “There was plenty that went onand it was very educational. Two great speakers and workshops; planningsessions for the Reform Party; and possible candidates… there were lots ofpolitical ideas discussed and many points of view represented.”

Speakers included Retired Intelligence Officer Charles “Sam” Faddis whospoke on reforming the United States intelligence and national securitypolicies and bureaucracies. After a decade of spending and the construction ofhuge new bureaucracies for improved national security, are we really any safer?Or have we just thrown money at the problem? It was heartening to hear straighttalk from someone with his breadth of knowledge and experience.

Former Comptroller General and head of the GAO David W. Walker educated theattendees on his plan for restoring fiscal sanity to Washington and receivedpositive reviews from the attendees. He painted a picture of a governmentspending headed toward disaster, but likewise provided real-world proposalsthat could halt that fall.

Mr. Bill Dopf (FL) was very pleased with the speakers. “What a greatopportunity to meet and network with Party members,” he explained.“David Walker’s presentation was a highlight. His assessment of the trueNational Debt is a sobering reminder of how Democrats AND Republicans havefailed America.” Ms. Benjamin agreed, “The speakers were great — DavidWalker for GAO head, Sam Faddis, former CIA operative…the speakers providedinformation you probably won’t hear anywhere else, partially because of thegreat questions asked by the attendees.”

In addition, there were workshops on:

Recruiting members and building your organization Running and participating ineffective meetings What are we looking for in a Presidential Candidate Usingsocial media for outreach

Ms. Benjamin (NJ) had praise for the workshops as well. “[The] Workshopswere informative. There was plenty that went on and it was very educational…theworkshops on party building (etc.) for state leaders, were something that wasnot conducted by the 90s Reform Party and should have been.”

We hope to repeat this event around the nation as requested by theattendees, so all Reform Party leaders, members, and friends have the sameopportunity to meet new and old friends, learn about current issues, andimprove their party building skills.

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