Docs in Politics.. 3 surprising lessons
Mary Rensel 
I recently ran and won for a local council role. I learned 3 important things, people are still kind, actions bring hope and meaning provides focus.
3 surprising things about campaigning
I recently dipped my toe into a new space, local politics. I have advocated for my patients with state and national policy makers and have had to knock on government “doors” and ask for attention to my patient’s realities in living with Multiple Sclerosis. Policy makers are busy with lots of moving parts in their days, so grabbing their attention towards what we are advocating for is a science and an art. We need to paint a compelling story of the challenges of a particular issue to bring it to light for them. Compelling stories are powerful and we sure have lots of stories of our patient’s struggles and challenges with healthcare. The young government staffers truly appreciated a great compelling story that they can easily share. Powerful stories grab attention, are easy to remember and can be quickly shared to bring to life a health policy issue and can actually help improve policy for our patient’s lives. I have been an advocate for decades yet never held a government position. So I have recently rolled off 2 committees and was contemplating where to put my focus and energy. I was looking for skillbuilding, connections and meaning. I entertained a few options and decided to try local politics.
Local politics called to me initially due to gratitude. I am grateful for those that designed and sustained our local village of 4000. I am especially grateful that the group worked with land conservancies and created a beautiful local park, planted new trees and built grass walking paths which I love for my knees! Yes, I guess I am that age that my knees appreciate a soft landing while walking or running. I looked into what it would take to run for a local council position and the commitment towards that role. I find if I am going to use my time and energy towards something it needs to have skill building, meaning and impact. Neuroscience research confirms the power of meaning in our work, when we clarify our “why” and our work aligns with our core values, we are more willing to focus and share our time to complete a task. Meaningful work also has a bonus of a wonderful feeling in your gut of something hard to describe yet words like fulfillment or satisfactions are typically the go to words for this inner feeling of meaningful work.
I learned 3 surprising things while campaigning. First we could try to avoid the word campaigning and call it connecting through storytelling. Does the word campaign and politics make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up? Trust is an issue in this space for sure. Who are our politicians and why do they do it? I would focus on the word connecting. Connecting with my neighbors, new and old, brought a renewed sense of community. Folks were typically kind, curious and welcoming. It gave me a reason to reach out to past acquaintances and catch up on their families. It was nice to be welcomed into homes and have time to sit and chat. It felt almost “old fashioned”, to be welcomed in and sit in the kitchen and catch up. It was refreshing to see the neighborhood spirit. Of course there were folks that did not want to talk or did not open their door, I get it. Trusting strangers at your door is a big deal. The second thing I learned while campaigning was that my action of stepping out and offering to serve locally gave other’s hope. These are the actual words used multiple times, “you give me hope”. I interpret that this means that people see action and effort as a means to light the future. Where do you give people hope with your actions? My third learning was that having a reason that I was doing this, gratitude for my safe wonderful community, kept me going through the campaign. Clarifying the meaning gives me energy toward the actions needed to reach the goal. Do you stop and take time to consider the impact that your work or volunteering may have on a person or your community? Clarifying the reason for actions gave me focus and resolve to keep getting on my bike and campaigning in the neighborhoods.
Surprisingly, the local politics campaign taught me many lessons and actually strengthened my bond to my community.
Here is a video sharing more of my learnings while campaigning.
3 SHOCKING THINGS ABOUT CAMPAIGNING in 2025 AS A WOMEN DOC
Campaigning or connecting was fun and surprising at times. Connecting rebuilt past relationships, created new relationships and boosted my energy through the comments about hope and meaning one can foster in local politics.
I will keep you posted on the future learnings while serving as a local councilperson.
Where do you bring others hope with your actions and resolve?
Where do you find meaning in your work?
What impact does your work have on others as individuals and as communities?
You matter
Your work matters
Connections matter.
Bring hope to someone with your intentional actions.
I believe in you.
Mary
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