This year, we are running a series of free, interactive online trainings for candidates at any level of office and experience. We believe in learning and doing in the (virtual) room, so instead of lecturing, instructors will guide participants through the creation of a deliverable in each training. For example, if the training is "Budgeting for your campaign," participants will leave the training with the skeleton of a campaign budget and concrete next steps.
Each session is suitable for any candidate or staff at any experience level unless otherwise noted. Some sessions will have a recommended prerequisite that will ensure participants are prepared going into the training.
Trainings will be added and updated throughout the year. Many sessions do not yet have a scheduled time/day. Once you sign up for a training, you will receive updates on class changes. If these classes don't fit your schedule, click here to let us know what times work best for you. Can’t make it? RSVP anyways to receive the recording after the meeting.
FEBRUARY:
Power Mapping & Relationship Building
Creating a voter contact plan
APRIL:
Budgeting for your campaign
Setting up your digital presence
Creating a finance plan to support your budget | Tuesday, April 30th at 6:00 PM ET
Now, how are we going to pay for everything? In this hands-on training, you’ll put together a finance plan that integrates with your budget to ensure you have the right amount of money at the right time.
MAY:
DIY Self & Opposition Research | Thursday, May 16th at 6:30 PM ET:
Every candidate should have an understanding of their strengths and vulnerabilities and an awareness of what information about them is accessible, and vice versa. Research can be used in messaging, campaign ads, background for reporters, and rapid response when you’re being attacked. You’ll come away from this training with the start of a great research book on yourself and your opponent(s) and the tools to finish conducting thorough fact-finding.
Additional sessions TBA
JUNE:
Running your own ads:
Facebook and Google ads can help elevate your content to audiences that wouldn’t ordinarily see you on their feed. During this session, we’ll walk through how to set up your own Facebook and Google ads, how to test different content, and how this voter contact method can fit in strategically with your field and communications plans. Candidates should complete our “Setting up your digital presence” training prior to joining this call. Candidates who RSVP will receive instructions on how to become verified to run political ads on Facebook and should complete those steps at least 2 weeks before this session. We will be actively walking through the setup of a Facebook ad and it will be most beneficial for candidates who are already approved to run political ads.
Creating a field plan for a small district:
Things work differently at the hyper-local level. Aspects that are emphasized in general campaign trainings often apply differently to districts with around 10,000 voters or less. This hands-on training will guide you through the creation of a field plan for a small district, emphasizing candidate and volunteer conversations with voters. Candidates in any district size are welcome to join, but strategy and formula suggestions will be tailored to districts with around 10,000 voters or less.
JULY:
Creating a budget for a small district:
How is budgeting different on a small campaign? Do percentage breakdowns still apply to districts with 10,000 voters or less? This hands-on session will guide you through the creation of a realistic budget and cashflow plan for a small district. Candidates in any district size are welcome to join, but strategy and formula suggestions will be tailored to districts with around 10,000 voters or less.
Additional sessions TBA
AUGUST:
Making your message:
As you’re putting together your voter contact scripts, mail pieces, palm cards, and other materials, what is your central message? What makes an effective progressive message? During this session, you’ll refine your message and leave with drafted language for use in email and printed materials.
School Board Polling Brief:
We ran a poll on the school board issues voters care most about. How do you break through divisive political rhetoric about education? How do you de-escalate culture war arguments in a charged environment? We’ll cover the poll findings and how to best incorporate them into your individual school board campaigns. This training is best suited for candidates for School Board.
Running a poll & incorporating your findings:
How do you build a poll? Once you’ve run a poll, how do you incorporate the findings into your message? We’ll discuss best practices for drafting polling questions, the different poll types available to campaign teams, and how to keep your finger on the pulse of voters even after the survey wraps up. Candidates should complete our “Making your message” training prior to joining this call. Candidates considering running a paid poll and candidates who want to learn more about polling are encouraged to join.
SEPTEMBER:
Pivoting to core message:
You’ve developed your message – but how do you stay on message? PCCC Co-Founder Adam Green will walk you through critical pivoting techniques before interviewing candidates live and providing course correction along the way. You’ll come away from this training with the confidence to tackle media interviews, debates, or conversations with voters. Candidates should complete our “Making your message” training prior to joining this call, and consider completing the “Running a poll & incorporating your findings” training.
GOTV & Election Day:
You should now be thinking about getting out the vote (GOTV), and which voters you will turn out to the polls in the days leading up to the election. In this hands-on training, you’ll develop a GOTV calendar, refine your scripts and targeting, and create a schedule for the days leading up to Election Day. We will also touch on Election Day priorities for candidates and staff.
OCTOBER:
Activating your coalition:
You’ve built support for your campaign. You have endorsements from organizations, relationships with local businesses, and you’ve developed volunteer leaders throughout the year. Now what? During this session, we will take the first steps toward activating your coalition for the final weeks of your campaign. You’ll walk away with outreach scripts, best practices for volunteer recruitment and management, and an “engagement menu” for your stakeholders.
NOVEMBER:
GOTV & Election Day:
The election is over… so how can we ensure that the data and information that you collected during this campaign is incorporated into the larger progressive infrastructure? We’ll discuss data maintenance, reporting key performance indicators to your volunteers and stakeholders, packaging information for posterity, and contributing to the movement on a larger scale. Candidates who are interested in building lasting infrastructure and preserving knowledge in their communities are encouraged to attend.
DECEMBER:
So you think you want to run for office? How can PCCC help?:
What does the progressive movement look like in 2025? What have we learned from 2024? During this session, we will discuss what progressive targets are in 2025 and how PCCC is gearing up to support candidates running in those areas. We will open the floor up for general questions about what PCCC does and what our endorsement process looks like.
Questions? Email CampaignServices@boldprogressives.org
Want to rewatch our 2023 webinars? Click here.