Wondering if running for office might be for you?

Here’s your chance to explore — with no pressure and no judgment! Whether you’re just curious or considering stepping into leadership, this 8-week campaign school will give you the insight and tools to understand what running for office is all about.

Take this opportunity to explore the world of being a leader in your community.  Ask questions, and learn from experienced leaders. It’s a supportive space where you can try things out, learn at your own pace, and connect with others who are on a similar journey. No risk, just possibilities!

Join us every Wednesday for 8 weeks, starting October 22. Register at no cost before June 30th. It will be necessary to commit to attending all 8 weeks as they build on the session before.

Register by email: helen@thejeancollective.ca  – Or – go to our home page, click on the ‘contact us’ button to register.

Many women with political aspirations start their campaigns late. If you decide at the end of this that you would like to run for public office, this is your key to building an effective campaign, early preparation is key.  Get involved in committees in your community and begin to build your profile, then join our campaign school this fall.

We can help you gain the knowledge and skills for a successful political campaign. Covering topics like campaign strategy, fundraising, volunteer management, and media engagement. Each session will be led by experts in various fields, providing comprehensive insights and actionable takeaways. Gain the confidence and insights needed to lead a winning campaign.

#1 What is Your Why? October 22, 2025

Dee Stewardson is a Certified Teacher and artistic wellness coach with years of experience in teaching, coaching, and supporting learners. Her session will focus on pulling out leadership and strengths, that best support people in living their best lives. Are you ready to determine your why and how to live a  more intentional, joy filled, and productive life? Join us as we explore and reflect on our values, while exploring what truly makes us want to jump out of bed in the morning, excited to start our day. 

Three main questions we will explore:

 1. What lights you up, where are you the happiest, most fulfilled?  
2. What gifts do you wish to share with the world? 
3. Do your goals fully align with your values?

The first in a series. This session helps to identify the qualities required to become an elected official and assess your compatibility with public office. Participants will gain an understanding what it takes to be an elected official. 

#2 Managing Your Inner Leader: Personal Values & Beliefs October 29, 2025

Deb Crowe, Author of Heart Centered Leadership. 

This session is designed to help women get elected. When making decisions as a politician, your values and beliefs play a crucial role in guiding your actions and choices. It serves as an anchor, helping you navigate the complexities of public office with integrity and clarity. That’s why we prioritize this workshop early in the series—it sets the foundation for everything you do.  This session is expected to include: Brainstorming, to identify and articulate your personal values and beliefs.

Group Discussion: Explore how to align your personal values and beliefs with your political goals, ensuring that your actions are consistent with your core principles. 

By defining your values, you will be better equipped to lead with confidence and authenticity.

 #3 Harassment and Social Media: Navigating the Digital Landscape Safely November 5, 2025

Panel Members:   

• Skylar Franke, Councillor City of London 
• Mireille Lalancette, Professor of social communication at the University of Quebec at Trois-Rivières 
• Tamara A. Small, leading expert of Canadian politics with a particular research focus on digital politics — the impact and use of digital technologies by Canadian political actors 

This session will explore the pervasive issue of harassment on social media platforms and help participants gain the knowledge and tools needed to navigate the digital landscape safely and confidently. It will explore how to develop strategies to prevent and respond to online harassment.

#4 What Do You Need to Know to Run for Municipal Council? November 12, 2025

Led by Patty Thoma, Clerk, Town of Innisfil and Dianne Gould-Brown, Executive Assistant/Deputy Clerk · Town of Plympton-Wyoming

This session will provide concrete information on how to run for municipal council in Ontario. There will also be a discussion on what your job will look like as a locally elected official.

Dianne has experience at the ministry level and will bring that into the presentation. Patty and Dianne will walk you through everything you need to know even before you walk into the Clerk’s office to obtain your election package. We will also be using information from Ontario Election Guides. 

#5 – Choosing Your Words Carefully, Crafting A Story and Key Messaging That Connects To Your Political Goals – November 19

Led by Courtney Hance, Founder & Chief Creative Officer of The Branding Firm Inc. 

This dynamic session explores the strategic power of storytelling and message development in building a compelling personal brand for your political campaign. Building on insights from earlier workshops, participants will learn how to craft an authentic narrative and align their key messaging with their political objectives, thereby maximizing impact across marketing, media, and voter engagement channels. This interactive session will help you define and communicate your “why” with clarity and conviction. Led by accomplished Brand Strategist Courtney Hance, known for her engaging delivery and transformative insights, this workshop offers practical tools and lasting value to help you connect with your audience and stand out with purpose.

 #6 Working with Media and the Public – November 26, 2025

Led by Melissa Durrell, CEO and Chief Strategist of Durrell Communications. 

Melissa is known for her distinctive storytelling techniques honed during her former career as an award-winning Canadian broadcast journalist.   In this session, participants will learn how to effectively work with the media and engage with the public. 

#7 Creating Your Election Campaign – December 3, 2025

Led by Cathy Burghardt Jesson, Mayor, Lucan Biddulph, Joanne Vanderheyden, Former Mayor Strathroy, School Board Trustee, Arlene Morell.

This session dives into what it really takes to run an effective election campaign. From building your team of volunteers to mapping out your timeline, fundraising approach, voter outreach, and communications plan, we’ll explore the essential building blocks that turn ambition into action.

You’ll learn how to:

• Identify your key supporters and target audiences
• Create a strategy that fits your community and goals
• Organize your volunteer base for canvassing, events, and election day
• Develop clear, consistent messaging and visual branding
• Craft a step-by-step campaign plan you can actually follow

With real-life insights from local leaders who’ve been through it, this session equips you to lead with purpose—and strategy.

#8 Raising Money! December 10, 2025

This session will explore fundraising & budgeting for your campaign 

Many candidates struggle with fundraising and are often surprised by the expenses involved in running for office, leading to campaign challenges due to lack of funds. This session covers the importance of fundraising and budgeting in politics, developing a fundraising plan, and creating a budget (including expenses, revenue, and cash flow).

Our Partners

Testimonials

Thinking about running for office? You can make a difference!

Start by registering for 2025 Campaign School.