PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Session Date: March 4, 2010; 6:00 – 8:00pm
Location: Greater Syracuse Chamber of Commerce
Making the commitment to public service begins with an understanding of the process, the challenges, and the personal sacrifice required to become an effective leader. This session will lay the framework for the upcoming sessions and provide the opportunity to ask questions of successful public servants. The session will end with a panel discussion where local leaders will share their stories that started their political careers, their successes and failures while in office.
Speakers scheduled to attend:
- Retired County Legislator/Legislature Chairman Dale Sweetland
- Common Council President Van Robinson
- Senator John DeFrancisco
- Dean Burrows, Nixon Gear
- Rick Cordaro, Lockheed Martin
COMMITTEES & GETTING ON THE BALLOT
Session Date: March 10, 2010; 6:00 – 8:00pm
Location: SUNY Oswego Metro Center
Getting the Nomination and making it on the Ballot are the first hurdles in the political race and a real necessity. There are several ways to “get the line” and candidates need to focus on this very early in the process. The good news is there are people and organizations willing and able to help candidates and supporters. This session introduces you to the local people and resources ready to guide you and provide critical information. Meet the chairs of the two main political parties; learn about the additional lines that are available. Meet the election commissioners who are a constant resource to candidates and their teams. Hear first-hand the role of committee people, leadership opportunities within the parties and how to actively support the candidate of your choice, especially if that person is you!
Speakers scheduled to attend:
- Diane Dwyer – Chair, Onondaga County Democratic Committee
- John DeSpirito III – Chair, Onondaga County Republican Committee
- Ed Ryan – Democratic Commissioner
- Helen M. Kiggins – Republican Commissioner
- Dean Burrows, Nixon Gear
- Deb Warner, Greater Syracuse Chamber of Commerce
CAMPAIGN FINANCE and FUNDRAISING
Session Date: March 17, 2010; 6:00 – 8:00pm
Location: SUNY Oswego Metro Center
Finance and Fundraising are critical components of every political campaign. In this session, you will learn tips on budgeting for a campaign, understanding who can donate and how to approach them, setting up your campaign committee and learning how candidates raise money. The session will cover fundraising tips and techniques refined through numerous campaigns. The session will also cover the details behind campaign finance rules including fundraising and expenditure limits, recording and filing transactions with the Board of Elections and the duties of a treasurer.
Speakers scheduled to attend:
- Travis Glazier, CampaignBase.com
- Rick Cordaro, Lockheed Martin
BEING ON A TEAM/BUILDING A TEAM
Session Date: March 24, 2010; 6:00 – 8:00pm
Location: Leadership Greater Syracuse
Understanding the roles and responsibilities of both the candidate, and of the individual campaign team, is critical to a candidate’s success. This session will outline the roles and responsibilities of the key leaders within the campaign team, including an extensive overview of the Campaign Manager, Treasurer, Fundraising Chair, Volunteer Coordinator, Sign Coordinator, Media Coordinator, and the Candidate him/herself. We will discuss the highs and lows of the campaign process, roles of — and impact on — the candidate’s family members, and provide real-life examples and stories designed to help candidates and their volunteers be successful in their run. The session will include some key “do’s and don’ts” to consider when selecting volunteers for these critical roles, and provide valuable insight into the varying roles for volunteers interested in helping with a campaign.
Speakers scheduled to attend:
- Jim Keib, C & S Companies
- Donna Hamilton, “Certified Campaign Junkie”
- Sean Carroll, Mahady Brown Consulting
- Sherry Mossotti, Leadership Greater Syracuse
MESSAGING
Session Date: March 31, 2010; 6:00 – 8:00pm
Location: Leadership Greater Syracuse
Once you publicly announce your intention to seek office, the public will be watching and listening to hear what you have to say. One of the most important things you’ll have to develop is a series of Key Messages that define why you are running and what you believe in and why you are running. This session will focus on some practical ways to approach the preparation of your message, and the ways in which you will ultimately get that message out. In addition to learning a couple of exercises that you can do with your closest advisors to hone your message, we’ll consider who the audiences are (there are more than you think). In addition, we’ll talk about all the ways that your message can be disseminated – including speeches, palm cards, lawn signs, billboards, radio and TV.
Speaker scheduled to attend:
- Michael Meath – President, Strategic Communications LLC
MEDIA/NEW MEDIA
Session Date: April 7, 2010; 6:00 – 8:00pm
Location: WCNY
The session will include an overview of how to attract news coverage and run damage control when things don’t go according to plan. Speakers will offer tips on topics including being on camera, interviews, press conferences, successful advertising, and more. Area reporters will also be present to offer their perspectives on coverage of politics and campaigns. The session will include a discussion of media bias and the effects of media on campaigns. Participants will walk away with resources on writing successful press releases and developing successful Web sites and social media efforts.
Speakers scheduled to attend:
- Professor Danny Hayes, Maxwell School
- George Kilpatrick, WCNY
- Meg Rubado, Post-Standard
- Tami Zimmerman, Eagle Newspapers
- Bill Carrey, News 10 Now (Tentative)
- Kevin Tampone, the CNY Business Journal
GOTV (Get Out the Vote)
Session Date: April 14, 2010; 6:00 – 8:00pm
Location: Greater Syracuse Chamber of Commerce
You spend months and months campaigning, trying to get your message out to the voters and then what happens? What happens if you do all of that work and the voters you’ve identified as supporters don’t bother to vote? As important as the campaign itself is, how effective you are at identifying your supporters and making sure they go to the polls on Election Day. This session will teach you the essentials of how to Get Out the Vote, or GOTV as it’s called. Learn about the importance of this critical element of the campaign and hear a discussion from an exciting panel of experts on different strategies to manage an effective GOTV campaign.
Speakers scheduled to attend (all previously with):
- Ben Dublin, Joanie Mahoney for County Executive
- Jim Corl, Sr (Tentative)
- Mike Whyland, Dan Maffei for Congress
- Joe Rossi, SEIU Local 200 United
- Travis Glazier, CampaignBase.com
- Hank Chapman, Haylor, Freyer & Coon
Wrap-up Session/Certificates Presented
Session Date: April 21, 2010; 6:00 – 8:00pm
Location: TBD
Speakers: TBD