12 Days of AF: Columbus Chapter

As 2021 comes to an end, it’s a good time to reflect on the year that we’ve had. 

COVID restrictions continue to linger, government bureaucrats carry on squabbling amongst themselves, and the stock market reliably ticks up and tumbles down again. So, one could possibly say that 2021 hasn’t really been much different than 2020. But sometimes to see change you must look at the ground level.

Every year it is my hope that the events and discussions we organize as the Columbus, Ohio chapter, will generate real impact on each attendee’s life. As I complete my fifth year as the AF chapter leader for Columbus, I can honestly say AF is helping to initiate genuine change in our city. 

The Columbus chapter has traditionally held two types of events, policy discussions and professional development events, and while we have continued to arrange and offer such opportunities, we added a third event category this year—dinner and dialogue events. Along with events to discuss criminal justice policy, COVID’s effect on free market healthcare reforms, and how to build leadership skills, the Columbus chapter held three dinner and dialogue events in 2021. 

These events centered around rather contentious issues but were discussed around a ‘family-style’ dinner table to encourage attendees to talk openly and respectfully with others who may disagree with them. Columbus’ dinner and dialogue events covered green technology innovations, Ohio’s capital punishment policies, and election law reforms—all topics which can, and did, elicit passionate responses from those on opposite sides of the issue.    

America’s Future exists to empower young people to be active, civil, and curious citizens who build freer communities, leading to greater happiness for all. As a chapter leader I apply our mission to help AF Columbus Members and event attendees become informed citizens who can civilly share their own opinions while also listening to another’s views. How can we ever hope to change the hearts and minds of our fellow citizens towards the virtues and merits of the free market, limited government, and personal responsibility if no one wants to talk to us? I believe AF’s mission to equip our members and young professionals to become effective communicators of liberty will be the change our communities need, and it starts with civilly engaging our peers. 

My grandma always says you catch more flies with honey than vinegar; in this case, meaning it will be much easier to win more people for liberty by being respectful than insolent. 

Speaking of honey, I’m getting ready for AF Columbus’ final event of the year—a Holiday Happy Hour at the Buckeye Bourbon House! If you’re in town on December 16th stop by, we’ll raise a glass of honey bourbon and drink to America’s Future and civility in 2022!