The weekend in review

By Jessica Smocer

“Savvy. No nonsense. Gracious. Humorous. Efficient. Complex. Determined.” The Statewide Farm Team Meeting in Williamsburg, Virginia.

As a member of The Farm Team who is a political “newbie”, and relative outsider professionally, when the two day Farm Team Statewide meeting in Williamsburg concluded Sunday evening, I hit 95 back to Northern Virginia, and had plenty of time to think about the weekend’s events and how I was impacted personally.

Founding members Susan Platt and Mary Sue Terry set a fast pace for the weekend’s activities.

The speakers provided invaluable and informative straight talk, facts and training. Advertising executive Kristen Cavello began Saturday’s meeting immediately by limbering up the minds of gathered Farm Team members in the “Branding” session, with an interactive exercise geared toward collectively identifying and defining the type of new recruit that the Farm Team most wanted to attract. Delegate and Democratic Women’s Caucus Chair Jennifer McClellon’s subsequent candid, impromptu lesson on some of the realities on Democratic candidate choices, funding and pipeline races was articulate, sobering and effective. Renowned strategist Celinda Lake’s incredible Saturday after-dinner presentation of facts, research and fascinating studies was both locally relevant and informative in the broader, national political context. Sandy Dumont spared no one in her assessment on personal appearance and effectiveness in the Sunday morning presentation, “Is Your Image Powerful Enough”. In big ways and small there is no question that regardless of my lack of experience, I learned about how to participate and take immediate and effective action to contribute to the political process.

But here’s the thing for me:

In spite of the fact that professionally, politics is not my game, the Speakers each gave me significant insight, tools and information that would help me be more successful in my everyday dealings, whether it be personal or professional. From being more dynamic and networking; to understanding my community and my relationship within it; to recognizing everyday challenges faced by myself as a woman and how to effect the outcome of these challenges.

And then there was the group dialogue, experiences and observations within the framework of the presentations, where it was quickly clear to me that I had something valuable to learn from the attendee contributions from each of the generations represented in the meeting. The high school attendees easy use of technology encouraged me to utilize the free advertising and self-promotion in my current job search, but also gave me insight to take home regarding the interests of my own children. I absorbed the volunteer time that Kristen Cavallo sacrificed on behalf of The Farm Team and her associate – a working mother who volunteered her Saturday, brought her young baby, and made the time for us all. The resolve, focus and energy of the core members who vigilantly kept everyone on message and on track, reminded me that it took determination and mental toughness, in everything you do, to achieve any goal. The most experienced members, who had moved forward from the battles of their generation, without malice, to continue to apply those vital lessons to the battles facing women in the politics of today and teach the women of tomorrow, taught me that humor and affection are the things that make you strongest.

But the thing that stuck with me the most was something that was much more personal, and even though I will never run for elected office, incredibly timely and valuable.

The array of women with whom I spoke over the weekend, were as vital and varied as the neighborhoods in Virginia from which they came. Under those pastel suits and gracious smiles, the core members of The Farm Team are tough, no nonsense, savvy political advocates. Their reasons for being involved are complex and deeply personal to them each, but their purpose is singular, serious and straightforward. They are warm, organized, and efficient, and they don’t care about taking the credit. They are entirely capable and are not afraid to raise their voices or their fists should the need arise. Not one of them dismissed my questions or made me feel foolish in the asking. I trust these women, each of them, to mentor women candidates through a campaign, get women into the electorate and champion the battle for women’s representation. I am vastly relieved that these remarkable, knowledgeable women have come together in the The Farm Team take action, and I am profoundly impressed by the momentum this group has generated through sheer force of will of the organizing members – Susan Platt and Mary Sue Terry in particular.

But most of all – because of these women, I walked away invigorated on my own behalf, energized about my own future, feeling savvy about my own decisions, determined to take my own actions, certain of my own purpose. I walked away as a candidate for my personal future and as my own advocate.

The women of The Farm Team take their mission seriously. They are determined in their purpose and mission. They will tirelessly teach and support you.

I walked away from the statewide meeting not only certain that The Farm Team could achieve their goals, but emboldened that I could do so myself.