--- title: "Leadership Lab: The Power of Public Service" description: "Students learn how to advocate for pending legislation during Leadership Lab: The Power of Public Policy offered through St. Luke's Center for Leadership. U.S. Representative Jim Himes and CT State Senator Will Haskell served as guest mentors." image: https://blog.stlukesct.org/hubfs/LeadershipLabatStLukesSchool_wo.jpg --- [![](https://blog.stlukesct.org/hubfs/logo-2025.png)](https://www.stlukesct.org/) [![SLS-Logo-2025-white](https://blog.stlukesct.org/hubfs/SLS-Logo-2025-white.png)](http://www.stlukesct.org/) ![blogleadingvoices banner.jpg](https://blog.stlukesct.org/hs-fs/hubfs/StLukesSchoolDec2016/image/blogleadingvoices%20%20banner.jpg?width=1000&name=blogleadingvoices%20%20banner.jpg "blogleadingvoices banner.jpg") [Inquire](https://stlukesct.myschoolapp.com/page/admissions/apply-to-sls/inquire-online) [Visit](https://www.stlukesct.org/page/admissions/visit-us) [Apply](https://www.stlukesct.org/page/admissions/apply-to-sls) # [Leadership Lab: The Power of Public Service](https://blog.stlukesct.org/powerofpublicservice) by [Kate Parker-Burgard](https://blog.stlukesct.org/author/kate-parker-burgard-director-of-community-connections) ![Kate Parker-Burgard: Director of Community Connections](https://blog.stlukesct.org/hubfs/Headshots%20for%20Authors/Parker-Burgard_Kathryn442.jpg) Working in small groups, students identified pending public policy issues that had meaning for them personally. This was the start of a four-hour Leadership Lab: *The Power of Public Service* offered through the [Center for Leadership.](https://www.stlukesct.org/center-for-leadership/find-your-voice-make-a-difference) Helping me lead students through the process of thoroughly researching and preparing their positions on pending legislation was St. Luke’s parent Michael Gordon, Principal and Chief Executive of [the Gordon Group](https://groupgordon.com/)—a firm that works with a full roster of philanthropies, foundations, and socially responsible businesses.  ![20191108_CFL Leadership Lab-Public Policy_Himes, Haskell_007EDT](https://blog.stlukesct.org/hs-fs/hubfs/20191108_CFL%20Leadership%20Lab-Public%20Policy_Himes%2c%20Haskell_007EDT.jpg?width=5760&name=20191108_CFL%20Leadership%20Lab-Public%20Policy_Himes%2c%20Haskell_007EDT.jpg) At the back of students’ minds as they crafted their presentations was the knowledge that this was not just an exercise—two government leaders were on their way to St. Lukes to hear their presentations.  US Representative Jim Himes and State Senator Will Haskell were coming to listen to students lobby for public policy change. As the Director of the Center for Leadership—home of *Find your voice. Make a difference*—it was quite a moment. Our students spoke confidently, knowledgeably and persuasively about justice reform, school safety, and climate change. After each team presented, the representatives reflected on the students’ arguments, pointed out their strengths as advocates, made suggestions to strengthen their proposals and then shared their own positions on the proposed legislation.  In one example, after listening to our student advocate for the *Safe To Tell Act* (promoting anonymous school threat reporting programs), Representative Himes said he agreed with the concept but brought up a key concern he’d heard from others— how do you stop false reporting? He then asked students how they would respond and told them, “Part of good advocacy is to anticipate the pushback.”  ![20191108_CFL Leadership Lab-Public Policy_Himes, Haskell_011FX](https://blog.stlukesct.org/hs-fs/hubfs/20191108_CFL%20Leadership%20Lab-Public%20Policy_Himes%2c%20Haskell_011FX.jpg?width=5760&name=20191108_CFL%20Leadership%20Lab-Public%20Policy_Himes%2c%20Haskell_011FX.jpg) In another example, a team spoke in favor of the *Green New Deal* (proposed legislation to address climate change and economic inequality). Representative Himes applauded the urgency and personal connection reflected in their presentation. “Emotional values,” he noted, “and compelling stories are important for advocates.”  State Senator Haskell asked students to “let this be the start of your advocacy” and urged all the teams to continue the work they had begun in Leadership Lab.  After the course wrapped, Brody Menzies ‘20 commented that this class was “unlike anything I’ve ever done. It was really interesting to be able to speak directly to representatives and learn from them about how to lobby politicians.” Moli Ma ‘21 added, “I’ve been trying to get to Representative Himes so that I could get him on board with the Green New Deal. The points he made in response to our position cleared up a lot of things and gave me a focus on what I should do next to pursue my interest in fighting climate change.” ![20191108_CFL Leadership Lab-Public Policy_Himes, Haskell_042R](https://blog.stlukesct.org/hs-fs/hubfs/20191108_CFL%20Leadership%20Lab-Public%20Policy_Himes%2c%20Haskell_042R.jpg?width=5079&name=20191108_CFL%20Leadership%20Lab-Public%20Policy_Himes%2c%20Haskell_042R.jpg) See more: [Photo gallery of Leadership Lab images](https://slscommunications.smugmug.com/2019-2020/Center-for-Leadership-CFL/Leadership-Lab-Public-Policy-Mini-Course-Guests-Congressman/).  [See Leadership Lab: The Power of Brand](https://www.stlukesct.org/news-detail?pk=1212979)     - - - - [![Learn more about St. Luke's - download our brochure](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/2035825/45ec86aa-f07f-4c17-bcfd-1ed3b8453a3e.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/2035825/45ec86aa-f07f-4c17-bcfd-1ed3b8453a3e)         ## Leave a comment ### Get our latest blog posts! ![Kate Parker-Burgard: Director of Community Connections](https://blog.stlukesct.org/hubfs/Headshots%20for%20Authors/Parker-Burgard_Kathryn442.jpg) [Kate Parker-Burgard](https://blog.stlukesct.org/author/kate-parker-burgard-director-of-community-connections) Kate Parker-Burgard is St. Luke's Director of Community Connections and has been at the school since 2003. Previously, she served as Director of St. Luke's Center for Leadership as well as Director of Character Education before assuming her current role in 2023. Kate holds a BA with a concentration in Religion from Hamilton College and a Master of Divinity degree from Union Theological Seminary. She was ordained into the United Methodist Church. She is also a member of the Board of the Foundation 4 Orphans. ![profile_icon.png](https://blog.stlukesct.org/hs-fs/hubfs/profile_icon.png?width=200&height=200&name=profile_icon.png) ### By Author - [Amber Berry: Former Head of Middle School ( 2 )](https://blog.stlukesct.org/author/amber-berry) - [Beth Yavenditti: Director of Global Education ( 3 )](https://blog.stlukesct.org/author/beth-yavenditti-director-of-global-education) - [Carrie Meatto: Spanish Teacher ( 1 )](https://blog.stlukesct.org/author/carrie-meatto-spanish-teacher) - [Daphne Teittinen-Schreck: ESS Director ( 1 )](https://blog.stlukesct.org/author/daphne-teittinen-schreck-ess-director) - [Dr. Jason Haynes: History Chair ( 2 )](https://blog.stlukesct.org/author/dr-jason-haynes-history-chair) - [Dr. Stephanie Bramlett: Former Director of Inclusive Excellence ( 2 )](https://blog.stlukesct.org/author/dr-stephanie-bramlett-former-director-of-inclusive-excellence) - [Gareth Fancher: Director of Emotional Intelligence ( 1 )](https://blog.stlukesct.org/author/gareth-fancher-director-of-emotional-intelligence) - [Georgia Rosenberg '19: Student ( 1 )](https://blog.stlukesct.org/author/georgia-rosenberg-19-student) - [Hunter Martin: Summer Program Director ( 1 )](https://blog.stlukesct.org/author/hunter-martin-summer-program-director) - [Jacqueline Nelson: Director of Equity and Inclusion ( 4 )](https://blog.stlukesct.org/author/jacqueline-nelson-director-of-equity-and-inclusion) - [Jane Olsen: Fifth Grade Teacher (retired) ( 1 )](https://blog.stlukesct.org/author/jane-olsen) - [Jason Giffen: Director of Enrollment Management ( 4 )](https://blog.stlukesct.org/author/jason-giffen-director-of-enrollment-management) - [Jessie Samuel, Fifth Grade Science Teacher ( 1 )](https://blog.stlukesct.org/author/jessie-samuel-fifth-grade-science-teacher) - [Jim Foley: Asst. 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Every Word Counts](https://blog.stlukesct.org/everywordcounts) ![Jacqueline Nelson: Director of Equity and Inclusion](https://blog.stlukesct.org/hubfs/Nelson_Jaci.jpeg) By [Jacqueline Nelson: Director of Equity and Inclusion](https://blog.stlukesct.org/everywordcounts/author/jacqueline-nelson-director-of-equity-and-inclusion) [![The Best of Our Human Instincts](https://blog.stlukesct.org/hubfs/Hubspot%20Blog%20Banner%201200x300%20(2).png)](https://blog.stlukesct.org/bestofourhumaninstincts) ### [The Best of Our Human Instincts](https://blog.stlukesct.org/bestofourhumaninstincts) ![Jacqueline Nelson: Director of Equity and Inclusion](https://blog.stlukesct.org/hubfs/Nelson_Jaci.jpeg) By [Jacqueline Nelson: Director of Equity and Inclusion](https://blog.stlukesct.org/bestofourhumaninstincts/author/jacqueline-nelson-director-of-equity-and-inclusion) [![A Curious Talk About A Wildly Different Tool: St. Luke’s School Embraces Emerging Technologies](https://blog.stlukesct.org/hubfs/AI%20Blog%20Banner.png)](https://blog.stlukesct.org/curioustalk) ### [A Curious Talk About A Wildly Different Tool: St. Luke’s School Embraces Emerging Technologies](https://blog.stlukesct.org/curioustalk) ![Liz Perry: Assistant Head of School for Academics](https://blog.stlukesct.org/hubfs/Perry_Elizabeth470-1.jpg) By [Liz Perry: Assistant Head of School for Academics](https://blog.stlukesct.org/curioustalk/author/liz-perry) - [REQUEST MORE INFO](https://info.stlukesct.org/get-started) - [Come Visit Us](http://www.stlukesct.org/page/admissions/visit-us) - [Apply Now](http://www.stlukesct.org/page/admissions/apply-to-sls) - [Make a Gift Today](http://www.stlukesct.org/page/community/giving-at-st-lukes) - [![Facebook](https://blog.stlukesct.org/hubfs/StLukesSchoolDec2016/image/Facebook.png)](http://www.facebook.com/pages/St-Lukes-School/44751060933) - [![instagram](https://blog.stlukesct.org/hubfs/StLukesSchoolDec2016/image/Instagram.png)](http://instagram.com/stlukesct) - [![twitter](https://blog.stlukesct.org/hubfs/StLukesSchoolDec2016/image/Twitter.png)](https://twitter.com/stlukesschool) - [![youtube](https://blog.stlukesct.org/hubfs/StLukesSchoolDec2016/image/YouTube.png)](https://www.youtube.com/user/stlukes377/featured) - [![pinterest](https://blog.stlukesct.org/hubfs/StLukesSchoolDec2016/image/Pinterest.png)](https://www.pinterest.com/stlukesct/) - [![linkedin](https://blog.stlukesct.org/hubfs/StLukesSchoolDec2016/image/LinkedIn.png)](https://www.linkedin.com/company/st--luke%27s-school) St. Luke’s School is a secular private school in New Canaan, Connecticut for grades 5 through 12 serving 25 towns in Connecticut and New York. Our rigorous programs and diverse co-educational community strive for excellence, fostering students intellectual and ethical development and preparing them for top colleges. St. Luke’s balanced, multi-dimensional experience provides students with the tools they need for leadership and service in the world. ![St. Luke's Logo and Contact Block](https://blog.stlukesct.org/hubfs/StLukesSchoolDec2016/image/footer%20Logo.png) - [377 North Wilton Road New Canaan, CT 06840](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Current+Location/377+N+Wilton+Rd,+New+Canaan,+CT+06840) - [(203) 966-5612](tel:(203)%20966-5612) - [info@stlukesct.org](mailto:info@stlukesct.org) - [**Contact Us**](http://www.stlukesct.org/page/facultystaff-directory) - [![NAIS](https://blog.stlukesct.org/hubfs/StLukesSchoolDec2016/image/NAIS.png)](http://www.nais.org/Pages/default.aspx) Open Sitemap - [Admissions](http://www.stlukesct.org/page/admissions) - [Welcome](http://www.stlukesct.org/page/admissions/welcome) - [Visit Us](http://www.stlukesct.org/page/admissions/visit-us) - [Apply to SLS](http://www.stlukesct.org/page/admissions/apply-to-sls) - [FAQs](http://www.stlukesct.org/page/admissions/faqs) - [Tuition & Financial Aid](http://www.stlukesct.org/page/admissions/tuition--financial-aid) - [Academics](http://www.stlukesct.org/page/academics) - [Love of Learning](http://www.stlukesct.org/page/academics/love-of-learning) - [Curriculum](http://www.stlukesct.org/page/academics/curriculum) - [Middle School](http://www.stlukesct.org/page/academics/middle-school) - [Upper School](http://www.stlukesct.org/page/academics/upper-school) - [Academic Resources](http://www.stlukesct.org/page/academics/academic-resources/advisory-program) - [Learning & Technology](http://www.stlukesct.org/page/academics/learning--technology) - [College Counseling](http://www.stlukesct.org/page/academics/college-counseling) - [Center for Leadership](http://www.stlukesct.org/page/center-for-leadership/find-your-voice-make-a-difference-) - [Find your voice. 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