Learn about LEAD’s first chapter, Brookings

Following last year’s election, Cory Ann Ellis of Brookings, SD, sought an organization that would allow her to bring the community together in a political culture that supported women. She stumbled upon LEAD in Sioux Falls, and soon after decided she wanted to start a chapter of the organization in her own community.

“Brookings is the fourth largest town in South Dakota by population, and we have the largest university, we’re poised to have a voice in our state,” Cory Ann explained.

“The main reason that I had wanted to be part of LEAD was because it wasn’t just a social group–it was an action-oriented group, and I thought it was time for Brookings to start being more active,” -Cory Ann Ellis.

Now, as a Brookings chapter co-founder and LEAD board member, Cory Ann is leading her community in playing a politically active role. The success of the chapter was recently highlighted in the Brookings Register. You can read the article here.

Chapter Events

The chapter holds three events each month: a social event, an education event, and an action event. Cory Ann believes that people become more active in non-profits when there is a sense of community, which is the purpose of the social event. The goal of the education event is to provide women with the skills and knowledge to be more active in politics. And the action events are hands-on activities to affect change, such as writing letters to representatives (“coordinated contact” events) and hosting outreach tables at Brookings markets.

The chapter hopes to connect with several different corners of the community through future events, including agriculture, manufacturing, small business, retail, tourism, and education. Allowing the community to gain more insight and make more connections is important to the chapter.

“If you’re going to represent your community or have a conversation with your neighbors, you need to understand the different sectors of our community,” Cory Ann said. “We’re doing what we can to create opportunities for our members to connect and look at those sectors.”

Chapter Members

The success of the chapter is significantly due to its dedicated members, according to Cory Ann. Some of the members have played active roles in organizing and taking part in almost all of the organization’s events.

Amanda Hoover and Tammy Olson–two of the Brookings chapter’s most dedicated members–have been participating since the very first letter-writing event hosted at Cory Ann’s house early last February.

Amanda was driving from Lake Preston, where she’s an Ag educator, to Sioux Falls to attend community meetings and legislative trainings, until the Brookings chapter formed. She was excited to interact with like-minded people more close to home. She attends socials to network within her community, educational events to discuss South Dakota government, and action events, like handing out pocket constitutions at the Brookings farmers market. She’s also working on organizing a Connecting with Agriculture event in the Brookings area.

“Overall I hope the LEAD Brookings Chapter can help bring people together and facilitate a dialogue about the important issues in our state and country,” Amanda said. “By empowering citizens to be engaged in the political process however they’re comfortable…LEAD has and will continue to inspire change across the state.”- Amanda Hoover

Tammy Olson, another early and active member of the chapter, is a farmer from the rural Brookings County area. Tammy got the Brookings chapter involved in the Augustana Feminism Club’s period-product drive for women and girls on South Dakota reservations. She also hosted an outreach table at the Brooking’s Makers Market, selling raffle tickets and other items, while spreading the word about LEAD.

Looking Ahead

When asked about her hopes for the future of the chapter, Cory Ann said that she’s looking forward to continued growth in membership, which segue into other hopes for the chapter.

“With increased membership, we’re going to increase our influence, we’re going to increase our ability for outreach, and increase our pool of candidates. We are going to increase our voice, and from there we’re going to have a greater capacity to have a positive impact on our community.”

Advice for Potential Chapters

For those considering forming a LEAD chapter in their own community, Cory Ann encourages you to reach out to her and other board members. If you have a group of dedicated individuals who want to use their voices to affect positive change, LEAD has the tools to help you become successful in doing so.

“They need to establish that they want to build their organization in their community, and I think that’s why we’ve been so successful here in Brookings–because we have people who are passionate about our community and are putting forth the effort to continue to make this better,” Cory Ann said.

ABOUT LEAD SOUTH DAKOTA

LEAD South Dakota is a registered 501c(4) nonprofit.  LEAD (Leaders Engaged And Determined) is a grassroots organization aimed at bringing awareness to issues facing South Dakota, the United States, and abroad. LEAD exists to foster a community of individuals who empower and encourage women to be actively involved in all stages of the political process in order to effect positive change for women and families in South Dakota.

LEAD is not affiliated with any political party or organization. We are welcoming and inclusive of all people, regardless of race, age, religion, ethnicity, national origin, color, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation, or citizenship.