So . .  You Want to Run For Office? 

Campaign school will be offered in 2025.

Many women with political aspirations start their campaigns late. To build 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 when it becomes available.

We help aspiring candidates to 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.

Registration will be limited, and only available to those who register. There is no cost.

#1 What is Your Why?

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

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

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?

Led by Patty Thoma, Clerk, Town of Innisfil and Dianne Gould-Brown, Policy Advisor | Local Government Policy Branch | Governance and Structures Implementation Section | Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing.

This session will provide concrete information on how to run for municipal council in Ontario. Every 4 years on the fourth Monday of October, voters across Ontario decide who will represent their interests and lead their communities by electing the members of their municipal councils and school boards. We will be using  information from Ontario Election Guides. 

#5 Know Your Story, Develop Your Elevator Pitch

Led by Courtney Hance, Founder of The Branding Firm Inc. 

This crucial session focuses on crafting personal stories and elevator pitches for political campaigns. Building on the previous session, it includes storytelling exercises to identify personal narratives, group discussions on connecting these stories to political goals, and developing compelling elevator pitches. Participants will present their pitches and receive feedback, gaining an understanding of how to use their personal stories to connect with voters and effectively communicate their political goals.

 #6 Working with Media and the Public 

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 

This session encourages you to develop a comprehensive election campaign plan. It includes group discussions on the elements of a successful campaign, Determining where your support is; developing a plan that includes messaging and branding. Participants will gain an understanding of  how to create a campaign plan with a strong message, cohesive branding.

#8 Raising Money!

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).