CPL's 2009 Political Leaders Fellowship   CPL's State Political Leaders Fellowship is a selective, 9-month, part-time leadership program for individuals interested in advancing progressive political and policy change.   Applications to be a 2009 CPL Fellow are now open, including in Arizona, Colorado, Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvania.   Learn more about the 9-month Political Leaders Fellowship.   -------------------------------------------   Listen to a podcast with delegate Cheryl Mobley.   Read an interview with Katie Hobbs about her path to becoming a delegate.

Phil Reid Location: Oakland, Michigan Program: 2007 Michigan Fellow Profession: System Administrator   "I was invited to get involved with the county Democratic party and as I became more involved, politics became one of my passions."

Phillip is a system administrator in Southeastern Michigan and was recently elected to be a delegate at this year's Democratic National Convention.

What is your political involvement in Michigan, and what drew you to politics?
I started to get more involved politically when Howard Dean was running [for President] in 2004. After that, I realized I didn’t want to sit on the sideline anymore. I was invited to get involved with the county party and as I became more involved, politics became one of my passions.

As the Chair of the North Oakland Democratic Club, I believed that Oakland county really deserved a delegate. I also had experience working with [labor unions] in my district. United Auto Workers normally take the lead on delegate selection, so I used my political connections to make my districts voice heard when I was ready to pursue the delegate seat.

Before CPL, did you see yourself becoming a DNC Delegate? In what ways did CPL help you in preparing for this opportunity?
During the Fellowship, we created Personal Leadership Plans that really helped me to develop a strategy for meeting my political goals. The Communications and Messaging workshop was really helpful when I started to gain media attention for the Democratic Club.

   What are you looking forward to the most at the DNC?
   I am really looking forward to the networking opportunities, and learning    how progressive groups can work together to advocate for issues and    candidates.

• Apply for the 2009 Michigan Fellowship
• Meet the rest of the 2007 Michigan Fellowship