A campaign workshop that will bring national-caliber political expertise to Northwest Florida is being offered to men and women in the community by the Institute for Women in Politics of Northwest Florida.
Robert Arnakis, senior director for domestic and international programs at The Leadership Institute of Arlington, VA, and Barry Aarons, senior research fellow with the Texas-based Institute for Policy Innovation, will conduct a full-day workshop on Saturday, April 5, at the Hyatt Place Hotel in Pensacola. They will be joined by a third presenter, to be announced.
The workshop will provide instruction in campaign organization, managing volunteers, opposition research, developing campaign strategy and message, building coalitions, voter ID and targeting, in-person voter contact, digital media, and get out the vote efforts.
Lunch will be provided and will include a panel discussion by local women officeholders on overcoming campaign obstacles.
“This is a rare opportunity for the community to benefit from top-tier political training at very little cost,†said Diane Mack, president of the Institute for Women in Politics. “The opportunity was made possible by a generous contribution from a couple who are friends of our Institute. Local candidates who want to learn about campaigning usually have to travel to central or south Florida or even further to get this level of training.â€
Mack noted that the workshop will also benefit members of the community involved in initiative or referendum efforts as well as staff and volunteers working on election campaigns.
The workshop is being offered to the public at a cost of $35.00 per person with advance registration, or $50.00 after April 3. Registration information is available at iwpflorida.org and by contacting Mack at contact@iwpflorida.org or 850-438-0207.
The Institute for Women in Politics of Northwest Florida is a non-partisan, non-profit organization whose primary mission is to encourage women to run for elective office in Escambia, Santa Rosa, and Okaloosa counties.