Vote Run Lead VRLHQ Vote Run Lead Action

Run As You Are
National Training

April 24-27
Atlanta, Georgia

Our democracy is at a crucial juncture. We are witnessing an assertion of authoritarian power that thrives on chaos and uncertainty.

It is going to take every one of us committed to equity and justice to claim our power. We believe in a new leadership paradigm, one that is driven by strong, confident, capable women and gender-expansive leaders. We must join together to build a new vision for what’s possible, believe in it, and work for it.

The Run As You Are National Training is where that transformation begins. Aspiring candidates and campaign managers are invited to a three-day experience to gain the tools, strategies, and confidence to step up, lead with authenticity, and take office. We need new, diverse voices at the table to make the decisions that shape our lives, and it starts with you in Atlanta.

Inspiration and connection. When we come together with those who share our values and vision, there is an electric crackle of energy in the room. Learn directly from people who have built and managed successful campaigns and connect with a special community of changemakers who are as committed as you are to building a new future.

Prepare to dive in. You’ll collaborate in hands-on sessions, solving real-world campaign challenges in real time. You’ll gain practical experience while working alongside other dynamic leaders, reinforcing your strengths and discovering areas where you can grow.

One mission, two tracks. We’re offering two specialized tracks: one for candidates and one for campaign managers, with collaborative sessions throughout. You’ll get the practical experience and actionable insights you need, regardless of your role on the campaign trail.

Women and gender-expansive people who are planning to run for a seat in the state legislature: If you’re planning to run in 2025 or 2026, or are considering it soon—or need a nudge to make the decision! We meet you where you are and give you the tools, support, and confidence you need to run.

AND

Aspiring women and gender-expansive campaign managers: This training is geared toward those who 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 feminist, anti-racist, and pro-democracy women and gender-expansive leaders in public office.

*While our primary audience is 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 all levels of office, but please be aware that our curriculum, case studies, and examples will primarily reflect state legislative campaigns.

All Vote Run Lead Action training program registration fees are subsidized and offered at reduced cost, as needed to ensure that cost is not a barrier for participation.

Early-bird registration fee: $150 (Must register by February 28)
Regular registration fee: $200 (Registration starts March 1)
Registration deadline: April 1

Registration covers three days of training, all materials, breakfast and lunch on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, and dinner on Thursday night. Airfare, hotel accommodation, and any other expenses or meals not outlined are not covered.

*See below for information on scholarships and financial assistance.

To ensure that our training is accessible to everyone who wants to attend, and that cost is not a barrier, we are able to offer a limited number of scholarships, which is a reduced registration fee of $50.

To sign up for the training with a reduced registration fee, click here.

We are also able to provide some financial assistance to offset the direct travel costs of airfare and hotel if needed.* You can request this and learn more about the process within the registration form.

*Vote Run Lead Action is not legally able to provide financial or logistical assistance for any arrangements or expenses outside of airfare and hotel.

*Because the content of this training will be similar to our previous two national trainings—Campaign Leadership Lab in Nashville in 2023 and our RUN/51 National Summit in Detroit in 2023—Vote Run Lead Action will not offer financial assistance to individuals who have already attended one of those trainings.

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

Thursday, April 24:

Attendee Registration: 3:30 pm – 4:45 pm
Opening Night Program and Dinner: 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Friday, April 25:

Training: 9:00 am – 6:00 pm (with breaks and lunch)

Saturday, April 26:

Training: 9:00 am – 6:00 pm (with breaks and lunch)

Sunday, April 27:

Training: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm (with breaks and lunch)

You should arrive to the hotel/venue on Thursday.

The event begins at 5:00 pm on Thursday, April 24th with our Opening Program and Dinner (with registration starting at 3:30pm).

The training sessions begin promptly at 9:00 am on Friday, April 25th.

The training ends at 4:00pm on Sunday, April 27th.

We ask that you do not book a flight that requires you to arrive late or leave the training early.

Attendees are responsible for booking their own airfare and ground transportation to and from the training venue/hotel. If you request financial assistance for airfare, you will receive an email with further instructions.

Local attendees (and those driving) are responsible for any hotel parking charges. If you need financial assistance for the hotel parking fees, you can request that on the registration form.

Dinner will be provided on Thursday during our Opening Program. On the three training days (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday), we will provide breakfast, lunch, and coffee.

You will be responsible for your dinner on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights. We encourage you to use this time to get to know fellow participants, explore Atlanta, or take some rest/recovery time, depending on your needs and interests.

Please wear whatever you feel comfortable in. Some people may choose to dress business casual or a bit more formal, while others may wear jeans and a T-shirt. Some folks may dress up a bit more for dinner on Thursday night, but most importantly, just be yourself.

Something we love to provide at our national trainings is a “Yearbook”-style program where we include a small picture and basic information about each attendee, making it easier for you to meet, network, and keep in touch. You will receive a follow-up link and invitation to share your photo with us to be included in the program.

We may also share some materials in advance of the training that we will ask you to read through before you arrive. It shouldn’t take more than an hour, and we will send them 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 application form, and we will do what we can to provide it.

Keeping everyone safe during our events is a top priority for VRL/A. In order to participate in this training:

Confirm that you are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, including any recommended booster doses, and have received your annual flu vaccine. COVID-19 booster shots, if applicable, should be administered at least two weeks prior to the event date. Please inform VRL/A of any medical, religious, or other exceptions to these vaccination requirements.
If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 or influenza before the event, please get tested for both and communicate your test results to VRL/A.
Consider wearing a mask when traveling (airport, plane, train, taxi, etc.), especially in areas of high transmission for either COVID-19 or influenza.
Use standard health and hygiene practices (frequent handwashing, hand sanitizing, respiratory hygiene, cough etiquette, etc.).
Report any COVID-19 or influenza symptoms that develop during the event to VRL/A and seek a self-administered rapid test. In the Event of a Positive COVID-19 or Influenza Test During the Event: If you test positive for COVID-19 or influenza, VRL/A 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/A will notify event organizers so 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 or influenza via public announcement, email, or text message.
All attendees and participants will be encouraged to get tested for COVID-19 and/or influenza after the event and to monitor themselves for any symptoms over the following days.

Other notes on safety:

We will not be sharing the exact physical location of this training with anyone except those officially registered, our staff, and key other folks we’re collaborating with.

Please do not tag other attendees on social media without their consent, or tag the location of the training in any public social media posts you make while at the event.

We ask that you let us know as soon as possible if you register and then find you are unable to attend. Notify us at training[at]voterunleadaction.org. Refunds are available for cancellations made before April 9.

If you have questions about this training that have not been addressed here, please contact us at training[at]voterunleadaction.org, and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

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