Run/51
Summit

Women who are planning to run for a seat in the state legislature: You are planning to run in 2024 or are considering running in the near future, or if you’re on the fence and need a nudge to make the decision to run! We will meet you where you’re at and give you the tools, support, and confidence you need to run!

AND

Aspiring women campaign managers: You are relatively new to campaign management or looking to move from local to state-level campaigns. Ideally, you have some experience with political campaigns, but prior experience is less important than your passion and commitment to helping feminist, anti-racist and pro-democracy women be elected to public office.

* Although our primary audience are those interested in running and managing at the state legislative level, this training is open to anyone interested in running for office or managing campaigns at any level. The tools, skills and lessons we teach will be applicable for smaller (or national) races, but please be aware that our curriculum, case studies and examples will primarily reflect state legislative campaigns.

All Vote Run Lead training program registration fees are subsidized and offered at reduced cost with adjusted fees, as needed, to ensure that cost is not a barrier for participation. Participants may choose the level of registration fee based on their capacity to pay.

The full registration fee for this three-day training is $200. Registration is available at reduced/adjusted rates to participants needing financial support at the rates of $150, $100, and $50.

Registration covers the three days of training, all materials, lunches on Friday/Saturday/Sunday, and dinner during the plenary program Friday evening. Airfare, hotel accommodations, and any other expenses or meals not outlined are not covered.

However, to further ensure that our training is accessible to everyone who wants to attend, we are also able to offer some financial assistance to offset the direct travel costs of airfare and hotel, if needed. You can request that, and learn more about the process, in the registration form.

*Please note the deadline for requesting financial assistance has passed.*

The final agenda will be shared closer to the training, but our initial schedule is as follows:

Thursday, November 16:
Welcome Reception (optional): 6pm – 8pm

Friday, November 17:
Welcome and Opening Plenary (special guest to be announced): 9am
Training: 10:30am – 12:30pm (with a break)
Lunch: 12:30pm – 1:30pm
Training: 1:30pm – 5pm (with breaks)

Saturday, November 18:
Training: 9am – 12:30pm (with breaks)
Lunch: 12:30pm – 1:30pm
Training: 1:30pm – 5pm (with breaks)

Sunday, November 19:
Training: 9am – 12:30pm (with breaks)
Lunch: 12:30pm – 1:30pm
Training: 1:30pm – 3pm (with break)

The event begins at 9am on Friday, November 17, so we recommend arriving at the hotel/venue on Thursday evening (the 16th), especially if you are coming from out of state. We will host an optional welcome reception with drinks and appetizers (and possibly a special guest!) Thursday evening.

Participants are responsible for booking their own travel and transportation to and from the training venue/hotel. They are also responsible for booking their own hotel room, if needed. Vote Run Lead has secured a special room rate at the training hotel. If you have requested financial assistance for travel and/or hotel costs, you will receive an email with further instructions. *Please note the deadline for requesting financial assistance has passed.*

During the three training days (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday) we will provide lunch and beverages. We will also be hosting a program on Friday evening, where dinner will be provided. You can share with us any special dietary needs during the registration process.

We will provide light breakfast options at the start of each training day and dinner on Friday evening. Dinner is on your own for Saturday and Sunday evenings. We suggest you use this time to get to know fellow participants, or take some recovery time, depending on your needs and interests.

Please wear whatever you feel most comfortable in. This may mean business attire, business casual, or jeans and T-shirt. Some attendees will likely dress up a bit more for the Friday dinner. But we encourage you to come as you are!

We may share some materials in advance of the training, which you should read through before arrival. We expect this preparation will not require more than an hour of review, and will be sent to you at least a week in advance.

We are committed to supporting all participants in their learning experience. If you need accommodation or support of any kind, please let us know on your registration form, and we will do what we can to provide it.

We ask that you let us know, as soon as possible, if after registering you find yourself unable to attend. Please notify us by emailing training[at]voterunlead.org. We are only able to offer registration refunds for those who cancel 14 or more days before the start of the training.

If you have questions about this training which have not been addressed here, please contact us via email at training[at]voterunlead.org.

On May 11, 2023, the Federal government declared the end of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency. As a result, there are no requirements on social distancing, facial coverings, or any other precautions mandated for group gatherings. However, COVID-19 remains a public health concern. VRL therefore continues to follow recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to prioritize health and safety during in-person events.

VRL does not require participants to wear masks during in-person gatherings. To help guide your COVID-19 prevention decisions, please refer to:

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/covid-by-county.html

Regardless of your county’s current COVID-19 hospital admission levels (low, medium or high), below are individual-level prevention recommendations you can take for your health and safety.

• Stay up-to-date on vaccination.
• Maintain ventilation improvements.
• Avoid contact with people who have suspected or confirmed COVID-19.
• Follow recommendations for isolation if you have suspected or confirmed COVID-19.
• Follow the recommendations for what to do if you are exposed to someone with COVID-19.
• If you are at high risk of getting very sick, talk with a healthcare provider about additional prevention actions.

To participate in a VRL in-person gathering:

• Confirm that you are fully vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19. Booster shots must have been received at least two weeks prior to the event date. Inform VRL of any religious, medical, or other exceptions claimed.
• If you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms before the start of the training, get tested and communicate your COVID-19 test results to VRL.
• Consider wearing a mask when traveling (airport, plane, trains, taxi, etc.).
• Use standard health and hygiene practices (handwashing, hand sanitizing, respiratory hygiene, cough etiquette, etc.).
• Report COVID-19 symptoms developed during the training to get a self-administered rapid test from VRL.

If you test positive for COVID-19, VRL will implement a prompt and coordinated response as follows:

• You will be asked to isolate immediately to minimize the risk of spreading the infection to others.
• VRL will immediately inform the event organizers so that they can take appropriate action.
• Without revealing the infected individual’s identity, all attendees and participants will be notified that someone tested positive for COVID-19 via public announcement, email, or text message.
• All attendees and participants will be encouraged to get tested for COVID-19 after the event and to monitor themselves for any symptoms over the following days.
• If technologically feasible and agreed to by the infected individual, VRL may consider transitioning them to virtual participation.