First Week in D.C.

6-8-11
Brook Sebren (LS Group)

We have just wrapped up the first week in D.C., and what a week it has been.  We moved into our apartment on The George Washington University’s campus during Memorial Day weekend.  This gave us a great opportunity to get settled into our apartment, enjoy the long weekend, and see the city before the workweek began.   

Our apartment couldn’t be in a better location. We are located on the 10^th floor of a building that’s just minutes away from key monuments and major D.C. attractions.  In fact, from the roof we can see the Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, and Capitol Building.

Just hours after moving in, we ventured via Amtrak to Baltimore, MD for a concert. My Dad, who drives The Maine on tour, got the five of us tickets and backstage passes for The Maine’s and Augustana’s concert at Ram’s Head Live.  We all enjoyed the show, and were able to hang out on the bus during and after the show.  It was definitely a great first night.

Over the weekend, we visited several of the monuments and Arlington National Cemetery—in honor of Memorial Day.  On Sunday, the annual Thunder Rally, where over 500,000 bikers come to the Capitol City to raise awareness for Vietnam Veterans, POW’s, and MIA’s, took place.  Motorcycles were all outside our apartment and everywhere across the city. They held a parade and rally at the Vietnam Memorial. I was able to catch the parade just shortly after Sarah Palin made here appearance on her One Nation Tour.

We each started our various internships on Tuesday.  I was placed with the LS Group, which is a political development and fundraising firm.  It is essentially a third-party fundraising firm for Republican politicians and political action committees. A current list of clients includes Louisiana Senator David Vitter, the Republican Jewish Coalition, Indiana Senator Mike Pence, and Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney.

I am very fortunate, because most interns in D.C. get stuck with cubicle research and secretarial duties. I’m actually working directly with the president of the firm, Lisa Spies.  She works very hard and is extremely fast-paced.  The biggest challenge for me over the past week was keeping up, but I’m confident that comes with routine.  I can say in confidence that I’m going to learn a lot from her and this internship in general.

What I’m really going to enjoy about the LS Group is the ability to meet various politicians and influential people through fundraising and political events. On Thursday—only my third day of work—I flew to New Hampshire to see our largest client, Governor Mitt Romney, make his formal announcement for presidential candidacy.  I was able to meet various members of his campaign staff, see the owners of the New York Jets and Dunkin’ Donuts (friends of Romney’s), and essentially be a part of history in the making.  After the announcement, we drove to Boston, MA to attend Governor Romney’s Kick-Off Event at the Four Seasons.  There I was able to meet several prominent businessmen and political enthusiasts, including the Chairman of the Massachusetts Republican State Committee. 

On Friday, I only worked a half-day, and had a meeting with Mike Shields and the other interns. Mike Shields is a KA, who now serves as a Chief Strategist of the NRCC (National Republican Congressional Committee).  It was a great opportunity to meet with a fellow brother who has been where I am and get advice from someone who has been very successful in our Nation’s Capitol.  Afterwards we met with another brother, Chris Cook, who’s a former E. Flyming Mason Intern.  After his internship, Chris decided to make D.C. his home and now serves on GA Senator Isakson’s staff.  We had dinner, and Chris took us to Marine Barracks Washington to see the US Marine Corps Evening Parade, which was truly moving.

Over the weekend, we had dinner at a couple of great restaurants, and visited the Holocaust Museum, Georgetown and Chinatown.  If this first week was indication, we are going to have one of the best summers of our lives.

 

An Amazing Experience

7-25-11
David Berry (Cassidy & Associates)
Well, today marks the start of our last work week in D.C.  I have made the switch from my congressional internship to Cassidy & Associates, a large government relations lobbying firm.  From working on projects with my fellow interns to playing for their softball team, I really feel as if I have covered my bases here.  Not only am I meeting people inside the office; I have met and hung out with a lot of other interns outside the office and from all over the country.  One of the greatest things about D.C. is that it is made up of a wide assortment of people which makes it easy to connect with them by sharing this commonality.

Our time in D.C. has absolutely flown by. We have about a week left and are packing as many activities as possible into our short time we have left here.  Last night we rented bicycles and rode to Chinatown to watch a movie.  Tomorrow we are working another Gov. Romney event which should be a blast. There is always something going on in D.C. and I feel as if we have taken advantage of almost everything this city has to offer.  I am very lucky to live with 4 other brothers from across the country because it seems almost all the other interns in D.C. are staying with complete strangers or by themselves.  During my time here I have made rooted friendships with so many different people and have thoroughly enjoyed my time in Washington D.C.  We are extremely fortunate and cannot thank our national office and alumni enough for this truly amazing experience.

Difference in Lobbying and Congressman Internship

7-17-11
Paul Dollahite (Representative Frank Lucas)
Previous interns in this program often told us that the summer will go by fast, and it’s crazy to think that in only a few weeks, all of us will be back home. On Memorial Day; E. Fleming Mason events were little more than dates written on a schedule, but as the weeks have gone by, this internship has proven to be an invaluable experience.

            Interning in Frank Lucas’ office has been very different from my previous position within Command Holdings Group, but I have gained a new insight into how things are done on the Hill. On TV, politicians make the news based on their decisions, statements, or votes. What is rarely mentioned on the air is how much work is done by congressional staffers behind the scenes. Staffers are required to be educated on a variety of issues so that each member of Congress can make informed decisions all while responding to constituents. So far, I’ve been mainly doing typical intern work which includes answering phones, sorting mail, and other such tasks, but I do feel that I am contributing to a productive office. Answering constituent phone calls and writing letters to constituents has given me a deeper perspective on public policies because it is one thing to turn on the news and see the current unemployment figures, and it is another thing entirely to hear personal stories of people struggling in this economy. Hearing from constituents makes me appreciate the importance of federal politics especially during the current debt ceiling negotiations.

            As busy and hectic as this internship can be, I am thankful to be a part of such a wonderful program. Thanks to the E. Fleming Mason Memorial Internship, I’ve been able to cross off many things from my bucket list: see the 4^th of July fireworks over the National Mall, see a pageant in the Miss America circuit, meet with a Masonic lodge composed of fellow KAs, shake hands with a presidential candidate in Mitt Romney, and other things. I can only hope that these last few weeks provide lasting memories that further enrich my experience.

 

An unbelievable experience

6-27-11
Christopher Schatzman (Senator Isakson)
I can hardly believe how fast our time in DC is going by, it seems like yesterday that we were all departing Lexington and moving into our dorm on the GW campus. The five of us have transitioned from complete strangers to close friends in the matter of a few short weeks. It took no time for each of us to open up and get to know each other, and now it feels like we’ve all been friends for years. We wasted no time and hit the ground running as soon as we got here – attending a concert in Baltimore our very first night. Washington is by far one of the coolest cities I’ve ever visited, and I feel so lucky to have the opportunity to live here for an entire summer. We have each explored it in our own way, sometimes visiting monuments as a group and other times venturing out on our own. There is such a vast amount of culture and attractions that I don’t think I could do everything I wanted if I lived here for years.

Overall, this internship has exceeded every one of my expectations and I know I will leave Washington with a cache of knowledge that no other internship could provide. Working on the Hill has truly been an amazing experience. I learn more about our country and how government functions within it every day, and I feel as though all of my research will serve me in whatever career I pursue in the future. This has truly been the most invaluable experience of my life to date.

Internship reaffirmed belief in our fraternity…

6-13-11 (Paul Dollahite – Commander Holdings Group)
It’s only been two and a half weeks since I flew out of DFW, yet I can already say that the E. Fleming Mason Memorial Internship program will be one of if not the most fulfilling experience of my collegiate career. Having never been to our nation’s capitol, I’ve taken in as many sights and taken as many pictures as I could, and there’s still so much time left.

Another reason why this internship is fulfilling for me is the office where I am currently working, Command Holdings Group. Unlike other internship programs, I am not just doing mindless tasks or projects identical with those of staffers as a means of fact checking. Under Brad Patout’s direction, I have been conducting meaningful research for our company and our clients; I have been playing an active role in our company’s success in my time as an intern. The experience I’ve gained from Command Holdings Group has been beneficial to me so far, and I hope that my remaining experiences in that office will translate well to my time working for Rep. Frank Lucas (R-OK) next month.

Lastly, this internship is fulfilling to me because I have a fantastic opportunity to network with fellow actives as well as alumni residing in Washington, D.C. Today, I was fortunate to have lunch with successful KA alumni in Larry Meyers’ office and hear valuable advice on how to succeed not only in Washington but in the professional world as well. Attendees of the Chiefs of Staff Luncheon stressed the value of networking, persistence, and sheer luck in their personal stories of their Washington careers. Going forward, it is very encouraging to hear their advice and leave the luncheon with a full roster of names and e-mail addresses of brothers who are willing to help me during my time in Washington and beyond. When I pledged to be a member of the Kappa Alpha Order, I knew I was entering into a strong brotherhood, and this internship has only reaffirmed my strong belief in the strength of our fraternity.

Interning in Senator Blunt’s office

6-13-11 (David Berry – Senator Blunt)
We are now roughly two weeks into our respected internships and have experienced much of D.C. However, there are many more places to go and things to see. The first day my fellow Mason Interns and I arrived to our incredible apartment (which has an amazing view!)  and headed to Baltimore with backstage passes to a concert.  This month I am interning in Senator Blunt’s office and even play for his softball team. All of the staff members in the office are very kind and are willing to extend their help and advice in many ways. Each day, I have the great opportunity of performing many versatile tasks such as, researching legislation, giving Capitol tours, and attending many different hearings. The living and workplace in D.C. is extremely fast and I thoroughly enjoy it because each day provides a variety opportunities.  I never know who I am going to meet or run into on Capitol Hill or what event I will attend next. I also get to network with other interns at receptions after work which is a lot of fun.  

I never realized how much of an active role the Alumni brothers of the Order played until I was blessed with the E. Fleming Mason Internship Program.  For example, we attended the Chiefs of Staff Luncheon today where roughly 25 Kappa Alpha brothers introduced themselves to us and illustrated their love for KA by sharing their stories with us. It is very comforting to know that there are many gentlemen who support this program.  Each day flies by and I know that I would not have these fantastic opportunities back at home.

2011 – First Three Weeks

6-13-11 (Charlie Humphreys – American Business Development Group)
The first few weeks of being in D.C. could not have gone better.  The experiences that we have been able to enjoy are truly unique to this program.  Already, we have gone to Baltimore for a concert, met with the political director for the NRCC, and had the unique opportunity to meet with several Capitol Hill veterans at the Chiefs of Staff Luncheon.  In addition, for my work I have been able to do research in the Library of Congress, sit in on Senate Confirmation hearings, and attend a Nationals game with a General. 

In our spare time, the group has been able to see several of the sights around the city.  Living in Foggy Bottom, just a few blocks from the White House, we are in the heart of all that D.C. has to offer.  From our roof-top patio we have a panoramic view of the downtown D.C. skyline, The Capitol, The National Mall and monuments, and even around to Arlington Cemetery and Reagan National Airport.

Everyone seems to have settled into our routines, having acclimated to our work schedules and commutes.  It is hard to believe that we have been in D.C. nearly 3 weeks already.  Although we are not even halfway completed with our summers, it has already become evident that this is going to be great summer, and an invaluable experience.

Bios of the 2010 Interns

These are the bios of our 2010 DC interns…

Anthony Mark Graziani (ZΠ– Florida Gulf Coast University ’07)
Internship – Senator George LeMieux (R-FL)

Anthony is a senior at Florida Gulf Coast University majoring in Resort and Hospitality Management. As a member of Kappa Alpha, Anthony has served as President, Recording Secretary, and Crusade Commander. He is currently President of the Inter-fraternity Council, has previously served as a Student Government Senator, and is the current Student Government Chief of Staff, member of Order of Omega and Core Student Leadership, a Christian Leadership organization. This past year Anthony has attended two conferences in Washington DC, The National Student Leadership Forum and the National Prayer Breakfast. Through these experiences Anthony has developed a passion for politics and our nation’s capital.

John William Beauchamp (Will) (AΘ – Transylvania University ’05)  Internship – American Business Development Group

Will graduates from Transylvania University in May of 2010 with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration.  Will has been active in the Kappa Alpha Order as well as other on campus organizations such as student government.   He has had numerous internships with law firms, state government, and has most recently clerked in court of Kentucky’s 34^th Judicial Circuit during the summer of 2009.  Since 2006 Will has served in the United States Marine Corps Reserves.  During this time he has completed one combat tour in Iraq with the 3^rd Battalion 10^th Marine Regiment.   This fall, he will be attending law school at Northern Kentucky University’s Chase School of Law.  Upon receipt of his Juris Doctorate, Will plans on pursuing a career with the Naval Service or the Department of State.    

Millard Harold Hunter II (Hal) (ZK – University of West Georgia ‘08) Internship – Citizens Against Government Waste

Hal will be graduating with a Bachelor in Finance and Accounting in summer of 2011. Since his initiation into Kappa Alpha Order, Hal has been very active in his chapter by serving as Number IV and currently serving as Number I. He also served as the 2009 UWG homecoming representative for Kappa Alpha Order, as well as a member of the Finance Club. Hal had always had an interest in the political landscape of the United States. Upon graduating Hal plans to either become a CPA or a Financial Analyst. Hal feels this internship will better his understanding of the relationship between the business world and government.   

 

Patrick Coudrain (GA – Louisiana Tech University ’07)
Internship – Congressman Frank Lucas (R-OK)

Patrick is a junior Marketing major at Louisiana Tech University.  His involvement within Kappa Alpha began with serving as Corresponding Secretary, IFC representative and the White Province Undergraduate Chairman.  He later went on to be elected Secretary and serves as Gamma Alpha’s current President.  Patrick was elected Freshman Class President within the Student Government Association, followed by two years of working in Cabinet.  He is also a member of Student Recruiters, Student Advancement Team, and was recently chosen as the “Dream Boy” for Kappa Delta Sorority.  He also had the honor to be selected as an Orientation Student Leader for the summer of 2009.  Patrick plans to attend law school upon graduation from Louisiana Tech in May of 2011 and pursue a profession within business and law.

                                                                                                                                                 

William Walker (BT- Mississippi State University ’07)
Internship – Cassidy & Associates

William is a rising senior at Mississippi State University majoring in Political Science.  His first leadership role with the Order came as assistant recruitment chairman and he has since served as Marshal, Vice-President, and is currently serving as President.  He is involved in many other campus organizations including several governmental clubs.  After he attains his Bachelor’s degree in May 2011, William plans to attend Law School at the University of Mississippi.  After Law school, he would like to try his hand in the political world.

DC Internship Intro

Soon we’ll have posts from the five KA undergraduate leaders who interned this past summer in Washington DC. They are selected and placed by the Kappa Alpha Order Educational Foundation.  A few more posts will be made about the program and the participants.  Then we’ll have some thoughts and posts from the Interns themselves. Thanks for checking out the program!

Post by Hal Hunter

Hal Hunter 8-4-10

Packing up and leaving Washington, DC was truly a surreal experience. It feels just like yesterday that we were in Lexington, VA at Mulberry Hill meeting each other and going through the orientation process of the internship. Over the summer I met many different people and made lasting friendships with my four other roommates. Although we are all from different states and different chapters of Kappa Alpha Order we have formed a bond that is not unlike the one that I share with brothers from my own chapter.

After we left Washington, DC, we drove to the campus of Washington and Lee and helped out with the Emerging Leaders Academy. Assisting and befriending KA’s from all over the country was certainly a rewarding experience. Any time spent on the campus where Kappa Alpha Order was founded is certainly something to cherish and enjoy. After the conclusion of the Emerging Leaders Academy we were fortunate enough to have the opportunity to attend the Stewards of the Order program. The program was excellently put together and made me better appreciate and understand what it means to truly be a member of the Order.

Overall, this summer was an amazing experience that I will remember for the rest of my life. I made four amazing friends and had an exceptional experience with my internship. Being able to live in Washington, DC and experience the city to the fullest extent with four other brothers was the greatest way possible to spend a summer. I am so fortunate to have had the opportunity to take advantage of this program. I appreciate everything the experience has taught me and I am indebted to the alumni who made this program possible.