Don’t Make Them Ask You Three Times” (with Guest Donna Reed) | Ep. 18

Local government is often described as part-time work with full-time responsibility. In this conversation, host Hugh Plappert sits down with Donna Reed to explore how a call to community service—literally three calls—turned into a seat on the city council. From a Facebook group supporting parents during COVID to a platform for youth engagement, Donna shares how she learned the rules, built relationships, and found purpose in public service. She opens up about navigating politics she never planned to enter, facing $8.6 million in budget cuts, and prioritizing “people over programs.” Her journey is full of real talk, practical compassion, and a strong belief that leadership is about lifting up others and leaving space for new voices to rise.ㅤ👤 Guest BioDonna Reed serves as a council member in Jeffersonville, Indiana. A mom of two and a full-time educator, she entered public service after leading a local Facebook group that helped parents during COVID. Donna’s focus on youth engagement, transparency, and accessibility has shaped her approach to city leadership and community building.ㅤ📌 What We CoverHow a Facebook group turned community leadership into a council seatThe “three asks” that changed her path to public serviceLessons learned about teamwork, checks and balances, and influenceCreating the Youth Advocate position and Summer Works programManaging an $8.6 million city budget loss while protecting jobs and services“People over programs”: balancing empathy with responsibilityBuilding strong relationships with constituents, representatives, and city staffWhy transparency, accessibility, and open communication matterAdvice for anyone considering running for local officeThe importance of lifting up new leaders and building future public servantsㅤ🔗 Resources MentionedCity of Jeffersonville website: cityofjeff.netDonna’s city email: [email protected]ㅤGround Floor Government is hosted by Hugh Plappert and produced by PhoneLive.io.