Our Campaign Schools are designed to equip women and gender-diverse individuals with the skills, knowledge, and resources they need to run for political office in Canada.
Where we've been:
“The Equal Voice Campaign School is a great launchpad for women thinking about running for office! They cover a huge breadth of topics and engage with a fantastic group of speakers including those who have successfully run for office. Learning about the path other women have taken, and their reasons for entering politics, was an invaluable experience.“ - Campaign School Participant
Outcomes
- Graduates join the Equal Voice Alumni network;
- Gain knowledge on how to get nominated, build your team, and run a campaign;
- New connections across party lines;
- Obtain personalized advice from elected officials and behind-the-scenes election experts; and,
- Improved leadership, management, and communication skills
What You'll Learn About
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Know Your Story: Explore your why and embrace your backstory.
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Pick Your Podium: Where do you want to make your impact? + Nomination Process
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Get Prepared: What you need to do behind the scenes to get ready for a life in public office.
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Raise Your Profile: Strategies on how to build your overall network and canvassing for votes.
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Mass Communications & Media Confidence: Define your brand, reach larger audiences, and gain confidence with public speaking and media interviews.
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Face the Barriers: An open conversation about systemic and overt barriers, ways to cope, and why we must continue to persist.
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Mobilize Your Campaign Team: Learn about different campaign team roles, traits and skills to look for, as well as tips on how to recruit/retain volunteers.
- Campaign Fundraising & Budgeting: How much will you need, where will you get it, and what are the rules?
What Does a Typical Online Campaign School Session Look Like?
- You will be provided some baseline information from the facilitator, suggested workbook reading pages and connected self reflection activities via email to consider completing before each session. This ensures everybody comes into the session on a level playing field.
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Each session follows a similar flow: Introduction to the session topic, followed by a 101 with the facilitator. Then, 1-3 guest speakers share their experiences related to the topic. We open up the floor to an interactive Q&A with the guest speakers, then we break into smaller breakout rooms (with the guest speakers) to complete an interactive activity, and to get to know one another at a deeper level. From there, we come back to the main room to conclude the session and allow guest speakers to provide some parting words.
- You will receive detailed session notes within 1-2 business days of the session.
What Does a Typical In-Person Campaign School Look Like?
- Each in-person Campaign School is scaled to meet the needs of the particular location.
- The session can either be a full-day interactive Campaign School, that dives deeper into campaign strategies - OR - the session may be a half day interactive Campaign School, panel, and mock campaign simulation.
- The first part of the day kicks off with introductions and a panel. That is followed by an interactive session with a facilitator, which includes some reflective exercises and group conversations.
After lunch, participants are broken into teams of 5-10 to complete a mock campaign simulation. Two special guest speakers provide encouragement and feedback, with one campaign team winning the mock election getting a prize!
- Mock campaign simulations are a multi-hour group activity, simulating the formation of a campaign team. This provides participants the opportunity to put their learning to practice, and provides a safe space for individuals to take risks and test out new ideas.
