Candidate & Campaign Training

“[My victory] began with the expert Candidate and
Campaign Training I received through the Gay & Lesbian
Leadership Institute, which provided the guidance,
skills and support I needed to run for a seat that
no Democrat had won in more than 25 years –
and no woman had ever won.”
-- Sheriff Lupe Valdez, Dallas, Texas.
First Latina, first lesbian sheriff elected in Texas

We'll show you how to win 

Political campaigns are both art and science, but most people only pay attention to the art.  That's where we come in.

Understanding how to develop a winning strategy that uses campaign tools effectively is what leads a campaign to victory. The Leadership Institute’s Candidate and Campaign Trainings provide comprehensive, nonpartisan training to present and future openly LGBT candidates, campaign staff and community leaders. Training attendees learn about skills and strategy by engaging in tough, realistic campaign situations. The Leadership Institute offers intensive basic training as well as an advanced training for current elected officials who are planning to run for higher office.

The Leadership Institute has trained hundreds of openly LGBT candidates and campaign workers how to build winning campaigns. 

Join us for an intensive, hands-on workshop weekend at one of the following future trainings.

2009 Training Schedule
Miami/Ft. Lauderdale, FL	Basic Training	February 19-22
Cleveland, OH	Basic Training	June
Colorado Springs, CO	Basic Training	September
San Francisco, CA	Basic Training	Dec. 2-5

Format

The Leadership Institute’s four day basic training is conducted several times a year in various cities across the country. Training attendees learn from leading political strategists during the day and work with their peers on a complex campaign simulation at night. The simulation models a real campaign complete with district background, media information and voter files. Similar to an actual campaign, trainees work long hours and compete against each other using the skills they have learned to build a strategy to win. To enhance the peer learning process, we conduct an extensive outreach effort to find trainees who have demonstrated leadership in their community and have great potential for public service.

Click here for a sample agenda.

Curriculum

The trainings teach that a political campaign is a complex undertaking, which requires discipline, talent and expertise. A successful political campaign is achieved by applying skills and knowledge, not luck. The curriculum addresses three primary themes:

Fundraising

• Developing a prospect list
• Utilizing multiple funding mechanisms
• Creating a reliable donor base
  

Message

• Running as an out candidate without becoming a single-issue candidate
• Crafting and communicating a consistent message
• Managing the press for positive results
  

Planning & Strategy

• Evaluating viability as a candidate
  
• Creating a campaign plan
• Crafting a realistic budget
• Maximization of time and resources
• Campaign management

Frequently Asked Questions

• The registration fee is $350 which includes four nights hotel (Thurs-Sunday), meals during the training (Thursday Dinner-Sunday breakfast) with the exception of dinner on the last night, and training materials
• The training that coincides with the Gay and Lesbian Leadership Conference costs $450 due to getting an extra night in the hotel and a day to attend the Conference. To check out the GLLI national conference, click here.
  

• No, the training cost is a flat fee regardless of whether you stay in a hotel or not. However, we do recommend you stay in the hotel due to the extremely late nights and early mornings.

• We do request that you stay for the full training in order to be fair to the teams you'll be working with for the simulation portion of the training. You must be committed to stay and work the full training to attend. If you know you'll be unable to complete the full training ahead of time, please reschedule your conflicting appointment or attend another training. If there is a last-minute scheduling conflict, please let us know immediately so we can make the right adjustments for the training.

• Casual dress for the training. You’ll be working long nights and early mornings, so please be comfortable.

• It’s not required but will be useful for the training

• You can always learn more about how to run for office. Even if you have prior experience, you’ll still get a great refresher and new knowledge on how to run a successful campaign from top consultants.

7.    How do I apply?

• Click here.
  

Hear what others have to say

“Growing up in North Carolina, I never thought I would be elected to public office. The Candidate & Campaign training helped me run a winning campaign and realize my dream of public service.”
--Sen. Julia Boseman, first lesbian elected to the North Carolina Senate

Read comments from recent Candidate and Campaign Training participant evaluations:

• "Included MANY insights and strategies I’ve never learned in other trainings.”
• “An interactive, hands-on approach to putting the campaign together.”
• “One of the most effective trainings I have ever been to!”
• “I really enjoyed all of you. The expertise and knowledge of the presenters was incredible.”
• “Loved it. Wish I had taken the training 2 years ago, before I ran my first race.”
• “This program was invaluable! I’m grateful for your input and knowledge. Thank you!”

To learn more or to apply for a training, please contact Lauren Peters at lauren.peters@glli.org.