Run for It! Forging the next generation of elected racialized Canadian leaders

Feb 22, 2022 at 7:00pm – Mar 15, 2022 at 10:00pm EDT

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Are you Prepared to Run Hard and Fast?

Run for It! is a non-partisan training and coaching program dedicated to supporting racialized Canadian participation and representation across Canada at all levels of elected public office including federal, provincial, municipal and school board trustees.

With condensed sessions designed with a practical and best practice approach, candidates running for elected office as well as key leaders involved in campaigns will be enabled to hit the ground running. Each session module provides essential tools and critical development to build confidence in all aspects of driving and positioning an election campaign for winning results.

Who should apply for the Run for It! Program? Racialized Canadians who are running for elected office, campaign leaders and allies (campaign workers) who are supporting their candidates to win.

Event Session Dates and Descriptions

1. Public Narrative: Storytelling: February 22, 2022 at 7:00-9:00pm EST

Develop personal narratives: (Why am I running? What is my core value that drives me? What do I want to accomplish? Who are my electorates and what are their stories and needs?).This will lead candidates towards self awareness and understanding - Through this process participants will develop a deeper understanding of the role they want to play in politics - running for office, or running campaigns to elect candidates they believe in.

Purpose: Make space for potential candidates to do self-inquiry, explore the personal, emotional, systemic realities of running for office as a BIPOC candidate. How to build and sustain a personal profile and build community capital and coalition. How to bring family and friends together. Furthermore, translating support to actual votes.

2. Campaign Planning and Communication: February 24, 2022 at 7:00-9:00pm EST

How to recruit volunteers, deep canvass, deal with racial incidence, get ready for public meetings, candidate meetings, developing internal and external communication skills, and dealing with the media.

Purpose: How to form a concrete plan of action.

3. Technical Campaigning: February 26, 2022 at 12:00-2:00pm EST

Teach potential campaign candidates how to build a campaign along with the necessary big picture and practical skills (digital campaigning, campaign team with diverse skills, fundraising, voter contact strategies, strategy and tactics, advance vote, and election day vote).

Purpose: Participants will learn tactical skills such as how to run an effective and legal campaign as well as how to build a political message.

4. Network of Peers and Mentors: February 26, 2022 at 3:00-5:00pm EST

Focusing on diplomatic etiquette, how to network, and how to ensure self care and the creation of a support circle.

Purpose: Participants will be connected to a network of past and present politicians, campaign workers, and other change-makers with the intention of building an accountability/support network for potential candidates.

Advisors
Michael Chong, MP
Milton Chan
Soo Wong, former MPP, school trustee
Nathan Ip, Vice chair, Edmonton School Board trustee