Nobody asks us about the budget...

When people ask me what I am doing this summer, I tell them I am working for Planned Parenthood. I get a lot of questions on what my internship entails, but basically I am an intern for the Action Fund part of the organization. The Action Fund is the political and public policy arm of Planned Parenthood in Pennsylvania. Since it’s an election year, you can imagine we’re pretty busy!

The job isn’t glamorous, some of my friends are constantly flying to different cities, making over $20 an hour and living near the beach; my tan isn’t fantastic working in an office in downtown Pittsburgh. It may not be fabulous, but my job is important. My internship is an innovative new program being used across the state. I am one half of an intern pair working in Western Pennsylvania for a pro-choice candidate, and also giving part of my time to Planned Parenthood’s mission.

Local elections are time consuming, and require a lot of hard work. I study politics in school and nobody ever tells you how much work is done just for a local election! My partner Dayna and I are working on Representative Matt Smith’s reelection campaign and although, shockingly, they haven’t asked for our input on passing the budget in Harrisburg, we are working on cultivating his supporters from 2006; trying to gather up people to host coffees and meet and greets with him. In a week or so we will start canvassing the neighborhoods in his district for people who we expect to be pro-choice. Politics aren’t attractive all the time, but someone needs to “make the sausage” (as my father says).

So, while nobody cares what I think about the state budget, or the Presidential election, I am a cog in the machine that has to keep running. By calling supporters and getting out the vote we can keep pro-choice people in office and make sure women’s health issues are protected. But I am always willing to give my opinions on the budget, or anything else, if anyone ever asks.

- Lauren, Pittsburgh

Always a busy day in Harrisburg

As a public affairs intern at the state advocacy office, I have to be ready for anything. One of the things I love most about my position is that there’s never a dull moment, and the day’s schedule can change at any time. Last week, I was enjoying my usual bus trip into the office. As we passed Soldier’s Grove, bright yellow and red Wendy’s trucks were blocking traffic. I could see Wendy’s employees setting up booths and tents on the lawn across from the Capitol Complex. Later that day, Lindsay (my fellow intern) and I walked to the Grove to sign-up new One Million Strong supporters.

On several occasions, Lindsay and I have worked independently while Anne and Sari have been on business trips. It’s a great honor that they trust us to open and close the office by ourselves, and to work entire days without supervision. Even alone in the office, there’s still lots to be done! On one such day, I learned a new software, emailed a band manager about tabling at a show, wrote a blurb about Campaign Organizer Action Camp 2008 for the national office, and contacted public policy staff about a public affairs meeting, among other things.

Of course, another fun aspect of this internship has been meeting all the other interns and making friends. Planned Parenthood Facebook and MySpace accounts make it easy to keep it touch with everyone, even though we’re spread across the state. Plus, we’ll each be updating this blog throughout the summer, for your entertainment and ours!

- Cassie, Harrisburg