Sample Presentation - National Democratic Institute

DECIDING TO RUN FOR ELECTED OFFICE Campaign Skills 101

The National Democratic Institute

INTRODUCTIONS/ GROUND RULES • Introductions • Ground Rules • Ice Breaker Exercise

Photo: Amy Hamelin, NDI

OBJECTIVES • To assess your readiness to run for office • To identify strategies to prepare for leadership and increase your visibility Photo: Amy Hamelin, NDI

TOPICS    

Joining a party Independent candidates Rising through the ranks Assessing readiness to run

KEY TERMS • • • • •

Political party Independent candidate Gender equality Women’s wing Networking

Photo: NDI

EXERCISE: THINKING ABOUT RUNNING • What do you need to think about when thinking about running for elected office?

Photo: NDI

JOINING A PARTY • • • • • •

Gateway to political leadership Access to training Gain political experience Access networks and leaders Access funding Influence policy-making

Photo: NDI

INDEPENDENT CANDIDATES • Advantages – Freedom to develop policy agenda – Ability to work across parties • Disadvantages – No natural support base – Need to procure own funding – Difficult to win

RISING THROUGH THE RANKS • Engage in projects that: – raise your profile – improve your skills – improve party performance

Photo: Caroline Hubbard, NDI

INCREASING VISIBILITY “Everything you do—being a part of a political party, having an organization, building a network—these are tools for increasing the visibility of your leadership and your cause. Use all of the tools available to you.” – Sonja Lokar

DEVELOPING YOUR NETWORKS • Networks enable you to: – Achieve goals – Increase name recognition – Share information and strategies • Gather contacts from every event • Maintain/update contact file

DEVELOPING YOUR NETWORKS • • • • •

Define your objective Identify the people you need Initiate contact Follow-up Be available

Photo: NDI

GETTING READY TO RUN • Are you ready to run? – Personal questions – Personal liabilities – Questions about party procedures – Questions about election law and context

PERSONAL QUESTIONS • Have you considered the impact on your personal and professional life? • Is your family prepared and supportive?

Photo: Katie Croake, NDI

PERSONAL QUESTIONS • • • •

Why do you want to run? What are your priority issues? What level of support do you have? Are you able to raise the money required to win?

PERSONAL LIABILITIES • Review your records: – Financial/business – Public – Personal/Family • What could be used against you? • How could you minimize the damage? Photo: NDI

INCUMBENT: PERSONAL LIABILITIES • Has your vote on the same issue changed over time? • How is your attendance? • Have you delivered on previous campaign promises?

CANDIDATE SELECTION PROCESS • Who selects? • How? • Eligibility

Photo: NDI

ELECTORAL LAWS AND CONTEXT • Laws • Context: – What is the history? – Is your district winnable? – Who are your opponents? – What is the political environment?

EXERCISE: SELF ASSESSMENT

Photo: NDI

EXERCISE: SWOT ANALYSIS Strengths

Weaknesses

Opportunities

Threats

DECIDING TO RUN SUMMARY • Decide whether and which party to join • Rise through the ranks • Have a frank discussion with yourself – and your family • Review your liabilities • Understand the selection process • Know the electoral laws and context • Ask yourself: Why not me?