Why a Hometown Girl Loves National Organizations

It takes about 10 minutes of conversation for me to bring up how much I love my hometown; Indianapolis, Indiana. I was born and raised here and I even stuck around for college. Indianapolis is great for political science majors because it’s the state capital. Internships and entry-level jobs on campaigns and government are very accessible, and my career has blossomed here. There’s no doubt that growing up, going to college and working in your hometown gives a relational infrastructure that is hard to replicate. Nothing gives me more joy than walking into my favorite coffee shop and knowing half the people there. However, home can feel deceptively small when the world is so big. As my career evolved, I started collaborating with more national organizations – the Young Republican National Federation, the American Conservation Coalition, the Generation Liberty Fellowship through the State Policy Network and of course, America’s Future! Each of these groups have provided unique value in my life – reinforcing how much I love my home and teaching me how to serve it better. National organizations grow your professional network, expand your resources, and enrich your personal life through friendship and service.

Grow your professional network

We live in a highly interconnected world and national organizations help facilitate building genuine connections. In September 2022, I participated in the Generation Liberty Fellowship (GLF) through the State Policy Network. It afforded me the opportunity to meet 40 accomplished, rising leaders across the country who share my values. When I joined the America’s Future staff a few months after my fellowship, I found members of my cohort pop up everywhere. I immediately had a network of people who served as a test market for me as I developed programming for the organization. As we bumped into each other at various events, my cohort was quick to offer advice and friendly conversation. 

The special sauce with these relationships is that they have outlasted my jobs. When I completed GLF, I was working in state-based energy policy. Then, they provided the ga

teway into America’s Future. The relationships have depth. Many of us have the classic work bestie, but once work goes away, oftentimes those connections fade. When you connect about your work, but outside of the institution of a workplace, your connection is broader, deeper and everlasting. 

Expand your resources

In August 2024, I launched the Indianapolis branch of the American Conservation Coalition (ACC). ACC National has over 60,000 members. I can’t pretend to have the silver bullet on how to run a branch when they exist all over the country. Information sharing between fellow leaders has improved how I run my branch. 

Recently, I joined the American Conservation Coalition Action team on Capitol Hill to talk with Congressional Representatives about the importance of domestic energy production and permitting reform. Over 50 advocates from across the country attended. We started with a training and briefing on the top issues of the day, then headed out to Capitol Hill. In between meetings, we had time to discuss the similarities, differences, successes a

nd challenges of our branches. This knowledge exchange empowered me to go back to ACC – Indianapolis with a few new ideas to improve our work. I hope to replicate the Ohio State University branch‘s Sustainable Fashion Show and build out my organizational structure like the Orlando Hub. 

From the training, to the experience of meeting with Congressional representatives and their staff, to the casual chit chat, this knowledge sharing sharpens my work product. It also reinvigorated my enthusiasm for the work itself. Joining national groups gives you new ways to think about professional and social problems, which fosters greater creativity for the solution.

Enrich your personal life

Indianapolis hosted the Young Republican National Convention in July 2021. It was my first exposure to national grassroots politics. At that conference, I met a young woman named Mary Catherine. You know how there are just some people that stick out to you for whatever reason? Mary Catherine exuded personality and leadership. She made herself not easy to forget. Fast forward to the Generation Liberty Fellowship the following fall, and there she was again! It was great to reconnect. Lo and behold, Mary Catherine is a very involved member of America’s Future! When I joined AF, she was immediately a valuable resource to me. Over the past few years at various conferences and our overlapping involvement with national organizations, Mary Catherine and I developed a real-life friendship. She’s a travel buddy, a trusted friend, and a whip-smart resource. While these national organizations may seem on the surface a shallow way to advance your network, they are really a gateway to connect deeply with others on issues that matter to you. Those connections can turn into wonderful friendships – and thus some of the best parts of life.

 Additionally, many of these organizations have a pillar of service. I hope I’m not the first person to tell you this, but life isn’t about you. As people of personal responsibility here at America’s Future, we have to step up to solve societal problems. National organizations can provide an avenue to serve. For me, I lead the ACC – Indianapolis branch. I get to bring conservative environmentalism to the hometown I love so much, knowing there are over 60,000 other people who share those same goals. 

Where do I start?

I will admit that I have a bias, but I truly believe America’s Future is the best place to start. With connections to young professionals’ organizations, state think tanks, and business leaders across the country, AF will set you up with a network of changemakers who want to see freer and more prosperous communities. Through fellowships, monthly membership programming and in-person events across the country, you can gain all three of the benefits I shared here. I hope America’s Future is just the starting point for you as you find your people and your passions (and where to use them!). 

Kacey Shriner lives in Indianapolis, IN. She is the former Leadership Development Director for America’s Future and works in the conservative environmental movement.