If you are interested in volunteering in campaigns, in your community, running for office or just want to learn effective techniques, strategies and best practices from political strategist and experienced campaign managers you should participate in this training.   

The institute will offer three tracks at the DCI.  The tracks are developed to provide you with the essentials in your area of interest including interactive discussion and skills development that can be put to into action.  These tracks are for people of all skill levels.   

Organizing a Campaign: This track is for individuals interested in the mechanics of developing a grassroots campaign.  Campaign managers, campaign staffers and candidates for elected office should participate.  This track will cover the essential components of running an effective campaign and provide participants with a variety of areas to focus on such as developing a field plan, tactics and strategies, communication, new media, polling and campaign management. 

 
Grassroots Organizing: This track is for individuals interested in community organizing; town and ward committee members and organizing issue-based or coordinated campaigns.  Participants will learn grassroots organizing techniques that will help communicate your community vision, support candidates and learn methods on building community support.  Participants will be able to select from various topics of interest such as building and strengthening volunteers, management of members and using traditional and new media.    

 
NEW! Spanish Language Grassroots and Electoral Organizing: This track is for Spanish Speaking community organizers; leaders, activists and individuals interested in engaging and learning grassroots electoral organizing techniques.  You will learn how to organize, support candidates and build community support.  This track will integrate effective campaign strategies within topic areas.   Participants will be able to select from various topics of interest such as building and strengthening your volunteers, management of members, and developing a campaign.    

Special Addition--Prospective Candidate Sunday Training:  This session is for prospective candidates and campaign managers interested in how to prepare candidates to run.  This session will focus on how candidates can best prepare for elected office and will cover assessing your candidacy, developing a platform and public speaking.  If you are thinking of running for office-from school committee or zoning board to statewide office we strongly recommend candidates to attend this session along with the Organizing a Campaign track.
 

The institute will be on Friday, February 26 to Sunday, February 28th at the Westin, Waltham.  For more information and registration please visit http://www.massdems.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=57 for schedule and registration.  We have a limited amount of scholarship and reduced rate slots, if you are interested please email gmota@massdems.org

Thank you and I look forward to seeing you at the 2010 DCI.