National Democratic Training – February 2, 2024

02. February 2024 · Comments Off on National Democratic Training – February 2, 2024 · Categories: Recent Events

Celebrating Black History Month with Higher Heights for America PAC

All month long, we want to elevate the work of some of our amazing partner organizations whose own work focuses on elevating Black voices in politics.

Higher Heights PAC is committed to the election of progressive Black women on federal and statewide levels. Members have secured the largest number of Black women to simultaneously serve in Congress, sent the first Black women to the U.S. Senate in two decades, elected more Black women majors in the United State’s 100 most populated cities, and selected the first Black woman to win a major party nomination for a governor’s office! Learn more about their work, and how you can get involved, at the link below. You’ll also see we’re hosting an event with them coming up next week 

Learn more: Higher Heights PAC

So You Want to Run for Office: Black History Month Edition
Monday, February 5 at 1pm ET

Join NDTC, Higher Heights for America, and The Collective PAC for a special So You Want to Run for Office centered around supporting first-time or prospective Black candidates.

You have a unique perspective, a fresh approach, and the drive to make a real difference (yes, you really do!) Those are the most critical pieces in getting started. Let our trainer show you where to go from there next Monday.

Calculating Your Vote Goal
Thursday, February 8 at 1pm ET

Before almost anything else, you need to have your vote goal in mind. This specific number will ensure your field and fundraising strategy can be as meticulously planned as possible.

Take the size of your district and other factors into consideration as a trainer walks you through the step-by-step process in getting your vote goal. You will also dive into the ways a vote goal informs the rest of your campaign’s activities.

NDTC Expert Q&A: Black Voices for Grassroots Change
Thursday, February 15 at 1pm ET

Voter suppression efforts and misinformation campaigns deliberately and disproportionately target Black voters. It’s critical that campaigns and local Democratic parties center and prioritize Black community members, but not only for Election Day.

This insightful panel will bring together three seasoned campaign experts into conversation with one another about organizing Black communities and districts. Learn from their storied backgrounds and get a chance to ask your own questions.

And it doesn’t stop there! You can always visit the Online Academy’s Course Catalog, set up a free account, and keep track of your progress while taking advantage of our extensive course offerings.

Connect with us on social media!

Indivisible Rural – January 30, 2024

30. January 2024 · Comments Off on Indivisible Rural – January 30, 2024 · Categories: Recent Events
Click here to register for the January Rural Caucus Call

Join us for the January Rural Caucus Call!

Happy New Year Rural Indivisibles! We are delighted to invite you to join us for our first call of 2024. From your state legislative session to Election Day, it’s going to be a long journey to 2025. But get excited! On this call we’ll be joined by co-executive director Leah Greenberg to talk about what’s ahead, we’ll share updates on the various fights taking place in Congress, and we’ll chat about your priorities for state legislative work so that we can support you in the work you’re doing at the state level. As always, this call will specifically address the issues and framings most important to rural Indivisibles but is open to everyone. 

Register now for an amazing evening with the Raucous Caucus!

 We can’t wait to see y’all there!

Indivisible’s Rural Caucus (Natalie, Cameron, Molly, Scott and Rachelle)

Indivisible Project
PO Box 43884
Washington, DC 20010
United States

National Democratic Training – January 29, 2024

29. January 2024 · Comments Off on National Democratic Training – January 29, 2024 · Categories: Recent Events

2024 is a huge year for Democrats for many reasons– not just the reelection of President Joe Biden.

And it’s on us to ensure ballots are representative of their communities, especially those who’ve been traditionally excluded from the political arena.

That’s why this Black History Month, NDTC is thrilled to team up with two partners leading the fight on elevating Black voices in the campaign world: Higher Heights for America PAC and The Collective PAC!

Next week, join leaders from these organizations and fellow fired up Democrats for a special edition of our So You Want to Run for Office: Black History Month virtual live training at 1pm on Monday, February 5!

The past few election cycles have seen historic strides in Black representation in elected office and on ballots everywhere.

In the last midterm elections alone, a record number of Black candidates ran for offices across the country, including four Black Democratic U.S. Senate candidates.

But these Senate races are just one piece of a larger puzzle. We’re still quite a ways away from full representation and inclusion. Local and municipal offices down the ballot are where the real change is simmering.

This event is intended for prospective and early-stage candidates running for office. No prior political experience or current plans to run required!

Not to mention our amazing trainer who will lead you through these introductory steps: Atima Omara! Atima brings vast knowledge of campaign skills and experiences from the trail that will be instrumental in guiding you in the right direction when it comes to deciding whether to run.

So don’t miss out! Know a friend, someone in your community, or a fellow Democrat who would be a great fit for this opportunity? Be sure to share this program with them too.

And it doesn’t stop there! You can always visit the Online Academy’s Course Catalog, set up a free account, and keep track of your progress while taking advantage of our extensive course offerings.

Connect with us on social media!

National Democratic Training – January 26, 2024

26. January 2024 · Comments Off on National Democratic Training – January 26, 2024 · Categories: Recent Events

Ready…set…CAMPAIGN! 🏁

This early on, you should be focused on the fundamentals of starting up your campaign, including knowing your filing deadlines and requirements.

Did you know that we have a resource with information for filing in all 50 states? Well now you do!

NDTC’s Campaign Start-Up Resources is your one-stop shop to kickstart your campaign, giving you a state-by-state overview of key dates, processes for getting on the ballot, and more.

Looking for more or something else entirely? You can navigate our Resources page by sorting by resource type and more. Check out everything that we offer by creating a free account in the Online Academy today!

So You Want to Run for Office: Black History Month Edition
Monday, February 5 at 1pm ET

Join NDTC, Higher Heights for America, and The Collective PAC for a special So You Want to Run for Office centered around supporting first-time or prospective Black candidates.

Maybe you’ve considered running, or even know someone who would be great to represent your community. Regardless, take the very first step and learn about the various offices to run for and other preliminary considerations. Our trainer will also discuss the unique challenges and considerations Black candidates face on the trail and in office.

3 Steps to Establishing Your Campaign
Tuesday, February 6 at 1pm ET

Launching a campaign is a big deal! Let us help you wrap your head around what it takes to get your political campaign off the ground. This training will show you all the data, research, and processes needed to successfully launch a new campaign.

By the end, you’ll have a deeper understanding of how to go about researching your district, registering your campaign, and navigating ballot access in general.

Maximize Your Field Strategy Through Precinct Prioritization
Tuesday, February 13 at 1pm ET

Running for office is all about strategy, strategy, strategy! If you want to run a winning campaign, you’ll want to zero in on an effective, comprehensive field strategy that accounts for any obstacle.

This specific training focuses on organizing precincts in your district to optimize how you develop your field plan. Sign up to understand how precinct prioritization informs field strategy and the importance of data and research. Plus, get actual practice by examining sample scenarios.

And it doesn’t stop there! You can always visit the Online Academy’s Course Catalog, set up a free account, and keep track of your progress while taking advantage of our extensive course offerings.

Connect with us on social media!

National Democratic Training – January 25, 2024

25. January 2024 · Comments Off on National Democratic Training – January 25, 2024 · Categories: Recent Events

Here are some ways you can take action.

All times Eastern

Connect with us on social media!

Paid for by the National Democratic Training Committee, TrainDemocrats.org, not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee.

Ag and Rural Caucus for February, 2024

25. January 2024 · Comments Off on Ag and Rural Caucus for February, 2024 · Categories: Committee News, Recent Events

Ag and Rural Caucus for February

A potpourri Thursday, or a mishmash of news and views. A little State Convention, a little CD 5, and a little of whatever you bring to the table.
February Schedule
Better Practices
6:30 pm Thursday 1 February
Potpourri
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88689149657?pwd=R3dXbFRpYVUyeGVhb3ErTFI0QXlpZz09

Policy Briefing
6:30 pm Thursday 15 February

Suicide in Rural Washington

Cassidy Brewin
Suicide Prevention Specialist
Walla Walla County Community Health

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85907982157?pwd=MU4vV3E3VGZ5VU02dnhvZjg2b3hKZz09

Paste link into browser to go to meeting.
Overexplained? So what?
 
Is suicide overexplained? By this, I mean do we load all of society’s ills into explaining suicide. Do we have any real explanation at all?  The “despair” in the “deaths of despair” certainly captures our imagination of probable causes…economy, social breakdown, substance abuse, racism, gender role upheavals, genetic determinism, and so on.

The tragedy of suicide can get lost in our convergence on whatever social theory is in fashion. Suicide usually comes with few warning signs. It is distressingly democratic. Young people, old folks, brown, black, red and white, men and women, suicide does not discriminate. It marks families for generations. Hopes are dashed. Guilt explodes.

Or so we say, because we can say a lot and it can sound plausible. So, let’s push the data as far as we can before jumping to conclusions. Let’s measure what we can measure before we turn to speculation.

Let’s also try to identify in the data anything distinctive about suicide in our rural communities. Is there something in the frequency, rates, demographics, use of firearms in rural suicide?

We should also talk about what we can do to reduce suicide rates without fully knowing why people take their lives. We know that engagement helps, I think, and that limiting access to guns and drugs helps. Or am I just projecting my social agenda?

Join Cassidy Brewin in conversation Thursday to learn about suicide in rural Washington. Cassidy will start us with the facts and we undoubtedly will move to well-meaning speculation.

Don
12 February 2024
Deaths of Despair – Suicide in Rural Washington?
 
What are “deaths of despair”?  Drugs, alcohol, and suicide.

And “despair”? By definition, mental health is the proximate cause. Behind the mental health, though, lies real economic decline, relative loss of economic position, and perceived loss of  economic status.

Despair sounds too much like white, male Americans chewed up by American capitalism….a big helping of unemployment and economic stress topped off by a bit of racism and gender anxiety.

So what about suicide in rural Washington? Rural Washington has the objective conditions for despair.* We have low educational attainment, high unemployment, low economic earnings, and poor physical health. These objective conditions only go so far. It is the perception that you are not doing well when others, and other groups, are doing better. It is the perception that for the first time you cannot imagine your children doing better than you or certainly their grandparents. It is the perception that there is no way out and that others are winning while you are losing.

On the 15th we are going to talk about suicide in rural Washington with Cassidy Brewin, the suicide prevention specialist with Community Health in Walla Walla. She will give us numbers, ideas behind the numbers, and ways to help.

Spoiler alert – MAGA knows all about despair. Maybe Cassidy will find in the numbers that rural Washington enjoys community “social capital” that muffles the translation of poverty into despair. Stay tuned.

*Go to this website for an interactive map of social conditions in Washington by census zone.

Don
24 January 2024

Our Better Practices roundtable is on the first Thursday of each month at 6:30 pm.. Use the link above for 2024.

Our Policy Series is on the third Thursday of each month at 6:30 pm. Use the link above for 2024. 

Copyright © 2024 Ag and Rural Caucus, All rights reserved.
Ag and Rural Caucus of State Democratic Central Committee
Our mailing address is:
Ag and Rural Caucus
2921 Mud Creek Rd
Waitsburg, WA 99361

National Run for Office Day – 2024

23. January 2024 · Comments Off on National Run for Office Day – 2024 · Categories: Announcements, Recent Events

NROD Community Partnerships One-Pager

Greetings, 

This year voters cast their ballots in thousands of state and local elections across the country. What did these races have in common? Far too often, the people on the ballot don’t reflect the diversity of our country. More than half of all Americans are millennials or younger, but only 6% of state legislators are 35 or younger. Among state legislators, only 33% are women, 10% are Black, 6% are Latino, and 4% are Asian/Pacific Islander. And only 0.2% of elected officials openly identify as LGBTQIA+. Together, we can change that. 

My name is Shu-Yen Wei and I am the Western Regional Director at Run for Something. I am writing to share an exciting announcement about the launch of our newest campaign:

National Run For Office Day
January 23, 2024

National Run For Office Day is a partnership between Run For Something Civics and Civic Nation to increase representation at every level of government – especially local offices. Our goal is to educate and engage thousands of people who have been historically underrepresented, leading them to take the first step of signing up to run for office. 

That is why we are asking you and your organization to sign on as a partner of National Run For Office Day. The campaign will focus on recruiting millennials and Gen Z candidates with an emphasis on people who have historically been underrepresented in the political process —  women, people of color, people who identify as LGBTQIA+, working-class people, and people with disabilities. We know that you are a trusted voice in the community. We want you to help ensure that your audience see themselves as ballot material. 

We’re asking partners of National Run For Office Day to utilize their platforms as trusted community messengers to meet people where they are – using social media, in-person events, and creative content to encourage your audience to take the first step toward running for office. Leading up to our day of action, Civic Nation will supply all of the tools and messaging you need to make it happen including social media toolkits, talking points, email language and more. More details can be found in our one-pager attached. 

If you are interested in joining us on January 23, we ask that you submit this form at your earliest convenience. I am also available to meet with you and your team in the next few weeks to discuss any questions you may have. Together, we can build a stronger and more representative democracy. We hope you’ll join us.

Thank you for your consideration. We look forward to hearing from you! 

Best regards,

Shu Shu-Yen Wei (she/her/hers)
Western Regional Director
Run for Something207-512-0005
runforsomething.net
Please note: Run for Something operates on a 4-day work week and is fully offline on Fridays.

National Democratic Training – January 19, 2024

19. January 2024 · Comments Off on National Democratic Training – January 19, 2024 · Categories: Announcements, Recent Events

Even though January’s not over yet, making a campaign plan early on will save you both ⏰ and 💸

This week’s featured learning plan is Setting Up Your Campaign Strategy, a suite of five courses that will walk you through the fundamentals of planning. From voter targeting to basics of field, you will be ready to launch by the end.

We offer a host of Learning Plans tailored to your needs in our Online Academy! You’re able to track your progress and we ensure your courses continue to meet your needs.

Looking for something else? Create or log back into your Online Academy account today!

Setting Up Your Local Democratic Party's Structure
Friday, January 19 at 1pm ET

From working groups to creating a leadership structure, today’s training will show you a range of strategies for creating the best structure for your local party.

Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of various types of structures. Help your local party operate efficiently, logically, and victoriously!

Recruiting Strong Candidates to Run for Office
Monday, January 22 at 1pm ET

f you’re part of a local party or progressive organization, you want the people in your district to represent your values authentically.

Monday’s training goes over the pillars of effective candidate recruitment. Learn about what makes someone a stellar candidate and tactics in convincing them to run.

What is a Democratic Precinct Chair?
Wednesday, January 24 at 1pm ET

Gain valuable insights into the pivotal role your local precinct chairs plays in driving turnout in your community. In an election year, no Democrat can afford to neglect voter turnout in their campaign plans!

Grassroots campaign initiatives and turnout are supported by precinct chairs. Learn how to engage yours, and other strategies for precinct organizing.

Looking Ahead >> So You Want to Run for Office: Black History Month Edition with Higher Heights and The Collective PAC
Monday, February 5 at 1pm ET

Black History Month celebrates the monumental strides of Black Americans.

And that celebration of progress can be the driving force of change.

Join experienced veteran trainer Atima Omara as she introduces prospective candidates to the process of running for office, plus unique conisderations for Black candidates hoping to launch their candidacy in 2024.

Looking Ahead >> 3 Steps to Establishing Your Campaign
Tuesday, February 6 at 1pm ET

We’re giving you a sneak peek into what’s coming this February at NDTC, where we’re focusing on Building Your Political Start. This simply means Februrary’s lineup is concerned with the data-driven strategies campaigns need to get started.

In order to fully establish your campaign, you need to get on the ballot, evaluate what data you need, and understand ballot access requirements. This training is really about the “nuts and bolts” that turn your campaign from an idea into a tangible effort.

And it doesn’t stop there! You can always visit the Online Academy’s Course Catalog, set up a free account, and keep track of your progress while taking advantage of our extensive course offerings.

Connect with us on social media!

National Democratic Training – January 18, 2024

18. January 2024 · Comments Off on National Democratic Training – January 18, 2024 · Categories: Announcements, Recent Events

Here are some ways you can take action.

All times Eastern

Connect with us on social media!

Paid for by the National Democratic Training Committee, TrainDemocrats.org, not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee.

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