The Merit Society – Philosophy
Character Is Forged, Not Inherited
The Merit Society exists to connect young conservatives with accomplished men and women who are willing to invest personally in the next generation, and whose understanding of principles, leadership, and professional life has been shaped by serious study, lived experience, and demonstrated character.
Through mentorship, career guidance, professional development, and meaningful relationships, members are equipped not only to succeed professionally, but to become thoughtful, principled leaders.
Likewise, we seek to cultivate conservatives who understand why they believe what they believe. Historical understanding, policy literacy, media literacy, and respectful dialogue are indispensable to responsible citizenship. We aim to equip young people with better judgment rather than better slogans.
Our goal is not to win the next internet argument, but to cultivate men and women of character whose convictions are grounded in truth and reason rather than political tribalism.
Formation comes before mobilization.
Letter From the Director
Young conservatives are often made to feel like outsiders in the very spaces designed to shape future leaders. This includes campuses, leadership programs, internships, professional pipelines, and social networks.
The left understands that young people are formed through these institutions, and their ideology comes cloaked in opportunity: mentorship, career opportunities, and cultural belonging.
A few months after leaving William & Mary, I attended a statewide women’s leadership program advertised as nonpartisan. Every featured speaker and opportunity came from the political left. When I asked about the absence of Republican women, I was told, “You need to reconsider whether the Republican Party actually wants women in it.”
Young conservatives are often expected to withstand this messaging and the ideological pressure of these spaces without being offered an alternative community capable of competing with them.
Founder & Program Director, The Merit Society
Conservative organizations have done meaningful work to push back. Groups like Turning Point USA have created important entry points. They have hosted speakers, built communities, and reminded countless students that they are not alone.
However, campus organizations often require young conservatives to become publicly visible in environments where visibility carries significant social and professional cost. Even when students find community, those relationships frequently disappear after graduation or when they return home.
When I returned home from college, there were very few age-appropriate conservative communities waiting. There was not a clear professional pipeline, nor any obvious next step.
The Merit Society exists to bridge this gap.
This initiative exists to create long-term pathways that connect young conservatives with internships and career-credentials, friendships, professional networks, mentors, leadership development, and meaningful civic engagement throughout Virginia.
As a Catholic, I care about the conservative movement insofar as it protects and promotes truths that exist beyond politics. Community, mentorship, and opportunity cultivate thoughtful, principled citizens who understand why they believe what they believe. Civic engagement follows naturally.
Formation must come before mobilization.
Instead of starting with the needs of the institution and asking: How do we get young people to volunteer? How do we get them to knock doors? How do we get them to show up for our candidate, our rally, and our campaign?
We are starting with the needs of the young person.
Isabella Aversano
Founder & Program Director, The Merit Society
Young Republican Federation of Virginia 