Marty Benner had never been involved in politics, until she joined the Convention of States Project. Disgusted with the federal budget deficit, Benner said, “It was a big motivation for me to jump in . . . It was time to do something about it because of my grandchildren.”
Benner always tried to be active in her community. She served on the school board for eight years and served as a library helper when her kids were in school. She worked as a manager and editor of the Lincoln papers. Attune to the history of the Constitution, Benner thought, “How did we get from that to where we are now?”
Benner read about the Convention of States Project. Having recently retired, she had extra time, so she called COS and asked how she could volunteer.
“After my first or second grandson, I was concerned," Benner said. “What are we leaving these kids? It was a big motivation for me to jump in.”
She temporarily volunteered as a District Captain before finding her niche as State Information Analyst.
Growing up in the 1960s and 1970s, Benner recalls a popular saying: “personal is political.” This phrase sums up why she got involved with COS.
“You have to be affected personally by a situation before you care about the politics,” Benner added.
Benner serves on the Convention of States Illinois team as the SIA. Her role includes training new volunteers and helping COS team members utilize technology.
“We work as a team through technology," Benner said. "Making the most of it is what keeps us going.” The SIA position also includes detailed work like reviewing data and lists of petition signers, including checking capitalization of names before a District Captain takes the list to a legislator.
Personal is political, and Benner wants to personally be part of securing a future of freedom and prosperity for her grandchildren.
“We all need to work toward betterment of the country, she added. "It’s not going to get done unless we do it.”
