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Building Your Base While You're Getting Ready to Run

BUILDING YOUR BASE WHILE YOU'RE GETTING READY TO RUNBUILDING YOUR BASE WHILE YOU'RE GETTING READY TO RUN

Thinking about running for office in the next few years?  Taking the leap from involved community member to candidate takes careful planning, not to mention no small amount of soul-searching.  Many of our trainings focus on what candidates need to do once they decide to run, and we make an assumption that these candidates have done the necessary "pre-work" to set themselves up to run winning, empowering campaigns.

But what DO you do in the months and years that lead up to a run for office?  How can you set yourself up well to have a broad base to turn to when you announce your candidacy?  This organizing tool looks at how to build your base as you get ready to run.

Have any thoughts or suggestions of things to add to this list?  Leave them in the comments below!

ACTION STEPSACTION STEPS

Step1

Map Your Community and Identify Bridge-Builders

Community mapping starts with the large question - what shapes and defines a community?  Before you start a campaign, you should get to know well the community resources and networks in your district. 
Step2

Schedule 1:1's

A "one-to-one" is an intentional conversation and one of the fundamental tools in the organizer's toolbox.  For a potential candidate, it is an opportunity to start or solidify a relationship with key members of your community. 
Step3

Show up and Chip in!

As you consider a run for office, it is important that you become (or maintain) a visible and valued presence in community affairs.  This means not just showing up and shaking hands, but actively supporting and engaging with the community. 
Step4

Get and Stay Informed

You will need to become a voracious consumer of news and information coming out of your community.
Step5

Track Everything

The earlier you set up systems for keeping track of information, the faster you'll be able to hit the ground running in a campaign.

DOWNLOADSDOWNLOADS

One-to-One Conversation Guide and Follow-Up Form

Download One to one conversation guide.pdf
Click here to download the one-to-one follow up form.

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