After sending a letter (below) to the 19 members of the new superminority Republicans in the Illinois Senate, 13 members decided to abandon the grass roots and the donors by electing their same leader (see letter below). 12 members voted for Senator Rodogno and one member pretended to be there by voting for someone not running for the position.
Many Republicans are disgusted with the results and will be looking for explanations. It would be wise to consider unifying the base rather than by pretending to unify a caucus without a cause.
It does help sort things out for many of us, however. We now know there are half dozen Senators who have the veracity, courage and integrity to think outside the box for the benefit of the entire Illinois Republican electorate. My guess is that they are probably people with experience managing or owning a business at one time or another. They see the value and the absolute necessity in effectively serving their customers. They are most likely the kind of individuals who would not blame the entire shellacking on redistricting. They are probably the kind of folks who would put together a plan for the future and share it with the grass roots after mentoring with the top minds in the GOP.
Good luck to a weak, grossly divided superminority.
Dear Senators:
Effective leadership is the key to any organization. It doesn’t matter whether it involves managing a football team, a brownie troop, a factory or a political party. Leadership can make or break an organization.
Ineffective leaders share the following five most common traits. Ineffective leaders are: 1) resistant to change, 2) focus only on their own long term success, 3) lack clarity and vision, 4) do not recognize the achievement of others, 5) do not have a mentor. Ineffectiveness leadership creates opposition and conflict. How is it working for the SRO?
When leadership doesn’t believe in the mission of the organization, however, it goes beyond bad management. It leads to distrust, divisiveness, rebellion and chaos. And, it doesn’t just “infect” the team. It also contaminates “other folks” such as its supporters, suppliers, customers, fans and volunteers (in this case – donors, volunteers and grass root groups).***
Only those currently on your team know whether your current leader creates cohesiveness or assumes any of the negative traits listed above. However, the “other folks” have become aware that the current leader does not subscribe to the principles outlined in the platform. As a result, these supporters see the potential for separation and are less likely than ever to provide future support for the organization. They will also find it difficult to provide future support for those who vote for the same leadership that will continue the chaos. As the support folks become enlightened about the lack of accountability, direction and vision – they realize that the misguided management of the SRO has failed them and it is clearly nonsensical to continue supporting them.
As business leaders and grass roots groups become aware of the lack of leadership integrity and accountability within the Illinois GOP, it becomes evident that the overwhelming defeat on election day was not a surprise. Many business leaders and grass root groups are shocked that there wasn’t an immediate resignation of leadership after the election. On the contrary, supporters have learned that leadership is positioning herself with GOP Senators to continue to lead the SRO into obscurity – without a plan. One would think that any reasonable leader would present a big, bold, persuasive plan for the future before having the audacity to ask for their vote for leadership after a shameful defeat. It would be interesting to hear how the Senators and Senators elect reacted to a leader asking for their vote without a new plan. Please let GOP supporters know that we have Senators who think big, who have a vision, who have backbone, who have determination, who have integrity, who believe in accountability, who have honor! Is there any plan at all? It may be time for several resignations.
Many donors and grass roots groups are going to take a keen interest in those Senators who vote to continue to keep this fiasco going. The mind boggling question is: “Why would anyone risk their political future by alienating donors, supporters, volunteers and grass roots”? Why would it even be a consideration?
It is somewhat understandable that a person in a position of power could not let go of the ego’s desire to remain in power. It is quite another thing to try to understand the minds of those who buy into the notion that, under the circumstances, this could be a good thing.
It is important to realize this is not about the social issues! This is about the honor and integrity of an organization. This is about leadership taking on the role of a leader with integrity – a leader who can strongly guide an organization, according to its mission, towards a defined set of goals (see traits of strong leaders below).
This letter is not meant to be a threat. Only facts and information are presented that may encourage you to think through all of the ramifications of your decision. If you are content with the direction and the leadership of the SRO – so be it. For the benefit of the rest of us, please provide the narrative explaining your position before the vote. It may be required in order to secure any future support. So far, we have heard only unpersuasive chatter from a trifle number of loyalists who seem to lack the vision and determination for a drastic transformation.
Donors, volunteers and grass roots are watching your actions more than ever before now that they are being provided with enlightening information that didn’t seem to get disseminated in the past. It is a different world now. You can be certain that we will be informed in the future. Honor, integrity and accountability will prevail.
Here are a few characteristics you should be looking at in a leader:
- Mission: Leaders know their mission and make sure the team is engaged.
- Vision: Crystal clear vision of where the organization is going?
- Goal: How is the organization going to achieve its mission
- Competency: You must be seen by stakeholders as being an expert in leadership.
- A strong team: A wise leader assembles effective teams
- Communication skills:
- Interpersonal skills: Leaders should be approachable, likeable, and comfortable in their position
- A “can do, get it done” attitude: Achievement is the number one factor that motivates just about everyone
- Inspiration: the team needs someone to look up to for direction, guidance, and motivation.
- Ambition: When the leader is seen as someone who works to attain increasingly higher goals, the team will be more willing to mirror that behavior.
*** As just one example: according to “Illinois Citizens for Life”, Senator Radogno doesn’t believe in any right to life issues, while the party platform (mission statement) states that Republicans believe in the basic right to life with an unwavering commitment to these principles. (although anyone can run for office regardless of their beliefs, leadership must keep in tact the tenets and principles of the organization to prevent chaos and corruption).
JS Edwards Republican Renaissance PAC Carpentersville, IL
