Spring 2012 Tues./Wed. Study Groups topics and schedules to be announced soon
Study Groups
Some of our most refreshing events are weekly study groups at the Dole Institute. Hosted by Dole Fellows, each weekly discussion focuses on specific political topic or issue and features an expert in that field. These events are oriented toward KU students, but are open to the public.
Despite the name, Dole Institute study groups do not require studying. These small discussion groups do provide hands-on knowledge and direct interaction with experts.
Note to Students: Dole Institute study groups are terrific networking opportunities! Many students have found jobs or internships with the help of our study group guests or Dole Fellows.
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Fall 2011 Study Groups
Tuesday Study Group
Southern Politics
with Dole Fellow Tom Baxter
TUESDAYS beginning Sept. 13, 2011
4:00 - 5:30pm, Dole Institute
About Tom Baxter
Next year Republicans will gather for their national 
convention in Tampa, Florida. Democrats will flock to Charlotte - a choice of locations which demonstrates how critical the battle for the South will be in the 2012 presidential election. Once an economic backwater with a political system left over from the Civil War, the South has evolved into a region with enormous influence and complex politics. Seasoned journalist, Tom Baxter, will explore the broad trends that are again remaking this diverse region, from the impact of new groups like Hispanics and Asian-Americans to the lasting importance of religion in the political arena. We’ll look at some of the region’s notable political leaders – Democratic and Republican, black and white – and how they have affected the nation’s politics.
Tuesday, September 13, 2011, at 4:00 p.m
"The Long Road from Democrat to Republican" -Dole FellowTom Baxter and guest Jack Bass, author and journalist. Bass served 13 years as a newspaper reporter and editor and was twice named South Carolina's “journalist of the year.”
Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2011, at 4 p.m.
"The Gulf Catastrophe Zone" - Guest: Louis Kyriakoudes, associate professor of history at The University of Southern Mississippi and also the director at the Center for Oral History and Cultura,l Heritage at USM.
Tuesday , Sept. 27, 2011, at 4 p.m.
"The New Gumbo: Emerging ethnic politics in the South": Guest: Sam Zamarippa, banker, former legislator, and founder of the Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2011, at 4 p.m.
"Ya’ll Come: Politics and the Culture of the South"
Guest: Malcolm White, director of the Mississippi Arts Commission.
Tues. Oct. 11 - NO STUDY GROUP - FALL BREAK
Tues. Oct. 18 - No study group
Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2011, at 4 p.m.
"The South by Numbers"
Guest: Michael Thurmond is a former teacher, state labor commissioner, state Democratic Party chair and candidate for U.S. Senate. He is currently a lawyer in Atlanta. When Congress meets in 2012, a total of seven more seats will be held by Southern states – part of a gigantic shift in political and economic power which has been going on for decades. Some experts worry that the South’s economic engine, battered badly by the Great Recession, can’t sustain this level of growth much longer. Its political power is still increasing, however. Tom and Michael will discuss why the South will be crucial in the 2012 presidential contest.
Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2011, at 4 p.m.
The Megachurch and the Old Time Religion
Guest: Ralph Reed: When discussing southern politics, the conversation would not be complete without talking about religion. The megachurch plays a pivotal role in southern politics. Join Dole Fellow Tom Baxter and Reed for an in-depth discussion of megachurches and the old time religion of the south.
Reed is Chairman of the Faith and Freedom Coalition, a grassroots advocacy organization, formerly the executive director of the Christian Coalition. He has worked on seven presidential campaigns and was senior adviser to President Bush's 2000 and 2004 campaigns.
Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2011, at 4 p.m.
"South Carolina, Super Tuesday and the Next Electoral Map"
Guest: Ray Strother is a media consultant and former Dole Institute Fellow.
"South Carolina, Super Tuesday and the Next Electoral Map"
The battle for the 2012 Republican presidential nomination will be well under way next fall, with the South as a key battleground. Join Dole Fellow Tom Baxter and democratic strategist Ray Strother, for the last session of Southern Politics study group, where they will look at the evolution of the South Carolina primary and Super Tuesday, sizing up how the campaigns are organizing in the South.
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Wednesday Study Group
A Run for the White House with Dole Fellow Susan Bryant
WEDNESDAYS: Sept. 14 - Nov. 2, 2011
4:00pm - 5:30pm, Dole Institute
About Susan Bryant
Running for President is an experience unlike any other. There are many factors that determine the success or failure of a candidate. Over the course of the semester Susan Bryant, a seasoned political professional, will discuss the intricacies of a presidential campaign. There is the research behind the scenes of the campaign, the ever-changing and complicated finance laws, and the barrage of media to handle. Other sessions will focus on the strategic decisions made by candidates and their team. With 2012 around the corner and an interesting field of candidates, there will be no shortage of issues to cover. As always there is NO studying or homework involved! Refreshments will be provided!
Wednesday, September 14, 2011, at 4:00 p.m.
This week Susan Bryant and guest Maxene Fernstrom who has twice been named Deputy Manager of the Republican National Convention. She supervised the first ever internet broadcast of a Republican National Convention. She has also provided strategic communications council to businesses and candidates.
Wed. September 21, 2011
Guest: Dr. Vincent Bregilo, one of the foremost experts in polling and tracking.
Wed. September 28, 2011, at 4:00 p.m.
"Communications: How does a campaign deliver the critical messages?" Guest: Jay Bryant who designed the first national Republican advertising campaign and has helped numerous Republican candidates get elected. He has also worked on a number of Presidential campaigns, including the Ron Paul for President campaign.
Wed. Oct. 5, 2011, at 4:00 p.m.
Guest: Republican Party veteran Eddie Mahe.
Wed. Oct. 12, 2011, - NO STUDY GROUP - FALL BREAK
Wed. Oct.19, 2011, at 4:00 p.m.
Guest: expert fundraiser Steve Gordon. Bryant and Gorden will discuss fundraising for a presidential campaign.
Wed. Oct. 26, 2011, at 4:00 p.m.
Media expert Robert Traynham and Dole Fellow Susan Bryant will discuss media for a presidential campaign. National media appears to have only one goal in a presidential election – to derail the frontrunner. How does a candidate respond/react/motivate the media to at least not destroy his/her candidacy?
Robert Traynham has worked extensively for the Congressional leadership as a top Communications professional, and has significant experience with both presidential and senatorial political campaigns. In 2007, Traynham joined the cable channel, The Comcast Network, as its Washington DC Bureau Chief.
Wed. Nov. 2, 2011, at 4:00 p.m.
Guest: Jan Baran, Jan is a senior partner in the D.C. law firm Wiley Rein LLP. He has been called "the dean of campaign finance" and "one of the best election lawyers in the U.S." by Chambers USA. Mr. Baran has argued four cases before the Supreme Court of the United States. He also was General Counsel of the 1988 Bush for President campaign and served four years as General Counsel of the Republican National Committee.
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Summer 2011 Study Group
with Dole Fellow Dr. Kevin Benson
BOOTS ON THE GROUND: Dole Fellow Kevin Benson
A Soldier Looks at Iraq,
World Hot Spots,
and the State of the Army
after 10 Years of War"
Tuesdays: Last Two Sessions
July 12, 19, 2011
3:00 p.m. at the Dole Institute
Dr. Kevin Benson's complete Reading List (pdf)
KEVIN C.M. BENSON, Ph.D., Colonel, US Army (retired), was the chief army planner for the invasion of Iraq and was also involved in planning the drawdown of U.S. forces there. Benson, who just completed his PhD at KU, also ran the School of Advanced Military Studies.
School of Advanced Military Studies (SAMS), United States Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth.
3:00 p.m Tuesdays starting June 14 at the Dole Institute
June 14 - Getting In and Getting Out with the Iraq Planning Team:
..............David Futch, and LTC Greg Penfield
June 21 - Future War with Dr. Geoff Demarest
June 28 - Recovering after 10+ Years of War with
............. Brigadier General Sean MacFarland
July 12 - Responding to a "Hot Spot" with Dr. Micah Zenko, CFR
July 19 - Identifying "Hot Spots" with Colonel Gian Gentile, USMA
LJ World Article by Paul Koepp
and photo by Mike Yoder
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Spring 2011 Study Groups
with Dole Fellows
Tuesday Study Group with
Fellow Dennis Moore & Guests
AGENDA: "Life in Congress"
Tues., February 15, 2011:
Is bipartisanship a thing of the past? The 2010 Congressional and Presidential elections were some of the most bitter and angry elections we have seen. What, if anything, can we do to restore civility in our election process? How important is this? Guest: Hon. Chet Edwards -former U.S. Rep (D-TX).
Tues., February 22, 2011:
What is the appropriate role of a Member of Congress? To do what the people ask/tell you to do? Or do what you (the representative) believe is best for our people and our country? Guest: Hon. Brian Baird former U.S. Rep (D-WA).
Tues., March 1, 2011: What committees and caucuses I joined/served on in the last twelve years? How important is this role?
Guest: Hon. John Tanner - former U.S. Rep (D-TN)
Tues., March 8, 2011 How does a new Member of Congress hire/acquire staff, both for DC and district offices? What kind of background, experience, and/or qualifications should staff have?
Guest: Howard Bauleke, former chief of staff to U.S. Rep. Dennis Moore.
Tues., March 15, 2011 How does a new Member of Congress begin the process of legislating? Writing legislation, gathering support, using the appropriate committees, and bringing a bill to the House floor for a vote. What committees I served on and how they were important in legislative function.
Guest: Hon Dr. Bill Roy, Sr - former US Rep (D-KS)
Tues., March 29, 2011 at 4pm: How does a Member divide time for governing and fulfilling the duties of a Member of Congress vs. campaigning and raising funds for the next election? Guest: Hon. Baron Hill (former U.S. Rep (D-IN).
Tues., April 5, 2011 at 4pm: How much interaction does a Member have with lobbyists? Is this good or bad? How do some help and others hurt the process? Guest: Hon. Jan Meyers (former U.S. Rep (R-KS)
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Wednesday Study Group with
Fellow Walt Riker & Guests
"Corporate Responsibility: A Responsible Review"
Wed., February 16, 2011
Framing the Issue with Walt Riker
What is Corporate Responsibility? Who gets to decide what it is, and isn’t? Who are the stakeholders? How do consumers, third-party groups and corporations see their role? We will explore the many sides of corporate responsibility, many of which are often times overlooked, or ignored. There is no question that consumer expectations have expanded way beyond the products companies sell, all the way to where and how raw materials are grown, produced or manufactured. What about media coverage? Is it responsible, too? During my seventeen years at McDonald’s I was at one time the director of the Social Responsibility Department, and was in the middle of every issue associated with it for my entire career there. I’ve worked with activist groups, managed controversy, and served a spokesman to the news media. After a thorough dialogue on this stage-setting exploration we will also promote the value of our special guests during the upcoming coming weeks and to develop possible questions to be asked of them.
Wed., February 23, 2011 - McDonald’s and Corporate Responsibility – Bob Langert, Vice President, Global Corporate Responsibility. How does one of the most recognized brands in the world view its obligation to local communities and the planet, especially with more than 32,000 restaurants in 118 countries serving more than 60 million customers every day? As a magnet for criticism and attacks McDonald’s has been in the center of the social responsibility debate for decades. It has responded on many fronts, including forging unexpected alliances with activist groups. Is it enough to satisfy critics? And is there a lot more to the story than has been reported? Meet Bob Langert, a man who has travelled to the Amazon Rain Forest with Greenpeace.
Wed., March 2, 2011 - BSR (Business for Social Responsibility), Eric Olson. BSR is a world leader in corporate social responsibility research and consulting. They work with Nestle’, Walmart, Pfizer, Starbucks, China Mobile, Visa and hundreds of other top companies around the world. BSR believes business has an important role to play in improving local communities, making environmental progress, and advancing sustainability. Their methodologies have helped businesses make significant strides in these three areas.
Wed., March 9, 2011
Walt Riker and guest, Jeff Foote,
The Coca-Cola Company
Wed., March 16, 2011
Walt Riker and guest,
Ralph Reid, Sprint's Vice President of Corporate Social Responsibility and President of the Sprint Foundation. Reid leads Sprint’s overall social responsibility and environmental efforts, and manages Sprint’s Community Relations, Employee Volunteerism, and Corporate Diversity and Inclusion efforts.
Wed., March 30, 2011 at 4pm
Walt Riker and guest, Christine Dragisic.
Dragisic is Senior Manager in the business practices team at Conservation International's Center for Environmental Leadership in Business (CELB). She works to engage the private sector on developing solutions to environmental problems which create benefits for the companies, society, and the environment. Conservation International’s mission is to empower societies to responsibly and sustainably care for nature, global biodiversity, and for the well-being of humanity by building upon a strong foundation of science, partnership and field demonstration. CI works with companies such as Monsanto, Cargill and others world corporations throughout the world.
Wed., April 6, 2011 at 4pm
Corporate Responsibility and Capitol Hill –
Kent Wells, Washington Representative, ATT&T, and
Clarkson Hine, Vice President Public Affairs, Fortune Brands. Two major Brands featuring two highly experienced professionals with extensive experience in politics, and in the private sector. This will be a rare opportunity to get an insider’s perspective on how corporations conduct themselves when dealing with Congress, local representatives and other key stakeholders. Being a good corporate citizen requires good corporate practices. Does this include lobbying and campaign contributions? How do these executives respond to the skeptics who see the relationship between Washington and corporations as something other than a “responsible” practice? Mr. Wells was a key staffer for Kansas Senator Nancy Kassebaum while Mr. Hine was Senator Bob Dole’s press secretary. They can address questions about media coverage of these issues, the climate on Capitol Hill with regards to efforts to micromanage businesses, and other topics related to the transparency of their Brands in the public arena.
