Volunteer of the month

Alex Frogner - a veteran campaigner at an early age

"I had heard about this Livermore teenager who was real active in the Stop Measure D campaign," says Yodeler editor Don Forman. "Then at the volunteer party last December he came up to me and introduced himself, and yes, he did look like a teen, but he had a presence you'd expect of an adult. I'm sure that when he talks to voters he's convincing, because he knows how to present himself."

Yes, Alex Frogner is a real 14-year-old. He'll tell you about his middle-school classes: his least-favorite is biology, where he agreed, under duress, to dissect an earthworm, but declined the invitation to dismember a frog; and his favorite is French, for which he has a natural aptitude.

During his out-of-school hours too Alex loves to "learn more". He researches topics on the Internet, and reads books (nonfiction, mostly) and magazines like Newsweek. A few years ago, he became aware of the relationship between politics and the environment, and began to explore problem areas. Last year he learned about Livermore's No-on-D campaign. Measure D seemed particularly devious. Developers were calling it a green community and bragging about solar-powered homes and new trails, trying to hide the fact that the 2,450 new houses were to be built on lands designated as open space.

Alex decided to extend his learning into learning-by-doing - he joined the No-on-D phone bank. (His parents, he says, have strong opinions about politics and the environment, and support his activities, but have left all real activism to him.)

The Bay Chapter's organizing manager Anna Wagner trained Alex in telephone procedures and then listened as he eloquently and enthusiastically persuaded voters not to be fooled by the developers' expensive ad campaign. When a voter would say he was supporting Measure D, Alex would ask, "Really? Why?" Then he would cover the points on his fact sheet. Once, Anna heard him respond to what must have been the voter's question, "Are you reading all this?" Alex said, "Some of it. Mostly I'm improvising." The afternoon of the election, Alex appeared at the phone bank after school. Up until 7:45 he was urging people to vote no on D. Anna overheard him say, "You still have 15 minutes to make it to the polls!"

Alex enjoyed telephoning residents with his message. "You talk to someone, and then you move on to the next person." Such voter contact is often the key to winning campaigns for environmental candidates. Livermore voters rejected Measure D almost 3 - 1. Alex also enjoyed the victory party.

This spring he signed on to help with the Sierra Club's public-accountability campaign targeted at Rep. Richard Pombo, whose 11th District comes close to Livermore. Alex admits he didn't much enjoy walking precincts, preferring again to telephone voters. Pombo beat Pete McCloskey in June's Republican primary, but in this November's general election the Sierra Club has endorsed Democrat Jerry McNerny, and there will be more phone calls and precinct walks and other volunteer opportunities in this important race to unseat a powerful anti-environmental incumbent. Alex will be helping; for ways to join him in this critical campaign.

"My number-one issue actually isn't the environment," Alex says; "the environment is only number-two. For me, number-one is education." He decries the underfunding and lack of support for California's public schools. Funding is often determined according to 40-year-old definitions, he points out. Livermore and Cupertino are both designated as agricultural areas, which lack the financial support of more urban districts.

Alex says he hasn't had much opportunity to work on educational reform, but Tammy Reus, another No-on-D activist and parent of one of Alex's classmates, was impressed when Alex spoke at a school board meeting about the involuntary transfer of a teacher. Most of the other speakers, including Tammy herself, were adults. "This kid is going places," Tammy thought to herself. "He is incredibly articulate. He has people skills. He's not intimidated by adults." She notes that he is polite and comfortable talking with those older than himself. She continued to be impressed later when she worked with him on the Pombo accountability campaign. "He is an inspiration to adults," she says. "He reminds us of what is at stake, why we are involved. It's all about the future."

What's in Alex's future? Alex graduated in June from East Avenue Middle School and looks forward to a restful summer of setting his own schedule - maybe some swimming, definitely some research, some instant messaging on the computer. He may watch a little television - he likes the Food Network and sometimes "24". He'll listen to a little "independent music": his favorite bands are not signed to major labels.

In the fall he starts Livermore High School. He plans to continue studying French and to participate in the high school French Club and the California Scholarship Federation, which stresses high standards in scholarship and service.

In the summer of 2005 he toured France, Spain, and Italy with a group organized by his French teacher. France he found a great culinary as well as a great cultural experience. (He especially loved the bread.) Next summer Alex and his mom will return to Europe. In particular, he looks forward to again seeing one of his favorite cities, Barcelona.

It's hard to predict what he'll want to study in college, but Alex knows he wants to keep learning after high school. He thinks he'd prefer higher education in California, but his first criterion is small class size.

And he is keeping his eyes open for more campaign opportunities.

Karen Rosenbaum

 

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© 2006 San Francisco Sierra Club Yodeler