Curriculum & class Dates

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Power mapping exercise. Participants will analyze the sources of support for political campaigns in Montgomery County, identify local organizations that impact Montgomery County's economic development, and examine key current and historical Montgomery County issues.

Participants will discuss the motivation and barriers to financial contributions to political campaigns as well as how to raise money, budget, and allocate funds. Participants will also explore the process of creating and sending direct mail to voters.

Participants will examine the basic structures of a campaign, their significance, and the role of staff in supporting a candidate to victory.

Part B: Management Structure and Procedures

Participants will learn how to create an efficient campaign structure along with the accompanying procedures that produce effective campaign operations.

Part C: Constituents, Advocacy, and Ethics

Participants will examine how elected officials and candidates engage with constituents and the regulations surrounding those interactions.

Participants will explore the motivations and barriers to voting in elections while learning key voter persuasion techniques. 

Part B: Parent Perspective

Participants will explore the parent perspective in school board and campus-level advocacy.

Participants will examine campaign data and learn how to use that data effectively to reach voters. This session will include best practices for using data to influence the campaign strategy.

Part B: Polling and Predictions 

Participants will learn how to create surveys and use data to inform strategic decisions during a campaign.

Part C: ​Engineering a Win

Participants will practice creating a GOTV strategy and planning backward in order to create an internally consistent campaign plan.

Participants will analyze cost-free methods of reaching voters and supporters through traditional and social media. This session will include best practices for online communication.

Participants will explore the candidate experience by examining the conditions around a candidate and potential motivations for seeking elected office.

Part B: Staff Management and Motivation

Participants will explore methods for keeping a campaign together and motivated over a long and grueling campaign cycle.

Participants will examine the role of trustees and effective means of translating community needs into policy.

Part B: ​Debrief and Post-Campaign Efforts

Participants will debrief the results of the recent campaign and examine the reasons for the success of candidates. This will include best practices for preparing for the next cycle of elections.