#GLI

Tag: #GLI

How to Run for Public Office: A Step-by-Step Guide

Running for public office is one of the most impactful ways to shape your community, advocate for change, and serve the public. Whether you’re interested in running for a local position such as city council or a higher office like state legislature or Congress, the process can be both exhilarating and challenging. If you’re passionate about improving your community and want to make your voice heard, this guide will help you navigate the steps to launch a successful campaign.

1. Determine Your Motivation: Why Are You Running?

Before diving into the logistics of a campaign, you need to clearly define why you want to run for office. What drives you? Is it a specific issue like education, healthcare, or environmental sustainability? Understanding your motivation will help you shape your message and connect with voters.

Ask yourself:

What change do I want to see in my community?

What specific policies or issues do I feel strongly about?

How can I contribute to improving people’s lives?

Running for office isn’t just about winning; it’s about making a positive impact. Your motivation will guide you through the tough moments in your campaign and help you remain focused on your goals.

2. Choose the Right Office

The next step is determining which public office you want to run for. Start by identifying your scope of interest and the level of government you want to work in:

Local Offices: Positions like city council, school board, or mayor often provide direct influence over issues such as local infrastructure, schools, and public safety. Running for local office is a great way to begin a political career or to address specific community problems.

State Offices: State representatives and senators influence statewide issues, including education, healthcare, criminal justice, and economic policy. State office often requires a more organized and funded campaign but provides the opportunity to shape broader legislation.

Federal Offices: Running for U.S. Congress (House or Senate) allows you to engage with national issues, though federal campaigns are often highly competitive, require significant funding, and demand a sophisticated campaign structure.

Consider your skills, experience, and the areas where you feel you can make the greatest impact. Running for an office that aligns with your expertise and passion will make your campaign more authentic and convincing to voters.

3. Understand Eligibility and Legal Requirements

Before declaring your candidacy, you must ensure you meet the legal requirements for the office you’re running for. Each position has its own set of rules regarding eligibility, so research the following:

Age and Residency Requirements: Different offices require minimum age thresholds and often require you to be a resident of the district or state for a specified period.

Filing Requirements: Find out what forms and documents you need to file to declare your candidacy, including financial disclosures and petitions.

Campaign Finance Laws: Understand the laws governing campaign donations, spending limits, and reporting requirements. The Federal Election Commission (FEC) oversees federal elections, while state and local offices have their own regulations.

It’s a good idea to consult with an election attorney or campaign advisor early in the process to ensure you’re in compliance with all legal requirements.

4. Research the Political Landscape

Before launching your campaign, conduct a thorough analysis of the political landscape in your district or area. This involves:

Assessing the Incumbent: Who currently holds the office? What are their strengths and weaknesses? If they’re well-liked, running against them will be more challenging.

Voter Demographics: Understand the demographics of your district—age, income level, education, political affiliation, and key concerns of the voters. This will help you tailor your campaign message.

Past Election Results: Look at previous election results to gauge voter turnout and identify potential swing districts or key areas where your support may be strongest.

5. Develop Your Campaign Platform

Your platform is the heart of your campaign. It should clearly articulate the issues you care about and the solutions you propose. Here’s how to develop a strong platform:

Identify Key Issues: Focus on a few core issues that are important to voters in your district. Whether it’s healthcare, education, infrastructure, or job creation, make sure these issues resonate with your audience.

Be Specific: General statements like “I want to improve healthcare” aren’t enough. Provide specific policy proposals. For example, “I will work to expand Medicaid in our state to ensure low-income families have access to healthcare.”

Show Your Values: Voters respond to candidates who share their values. Whether it’s a commitment to public service, environmental sustainability, or fiscal responsibility, make sure your platform reflects your personal and political values.

Your platform should be easy to understand and address the most pressing concerns of the electorate. It will be the foundation for all your campaign materials, speeches, and debates.

6. Build a Campaign Team

A successful campaign requires a strong team of dedicated individuals. Even in local races, it’s essential to surround yourself with people who can handle different aspects of the campaign, including:

Campaign Manager: Your campaign manager will oversee the day-to-day operations of your campaign, coordinate volunteers, and handle logistics.

Finance Director: Fundraising is critical to any campaign. A finance director will develop a fundraising strategy, help you meet donation goals, and ensure compliance with campaign finance laws.

Communications Director: This person will be responsible for media outreach, press releases, speeches, and social media strategy.

Field Director: Your field director organizes volunteers, voter outreach, canvassing, phone banks, and voter mobilization efforts.

You may also need a legal advisor, digital strategist, and policy advisors depending on the size and scope of your campaign.

7. Create a Fundraising Plan

Campaigns require money for advertising, events, staff, and outreach materials. Creating a robust fundraising strategy is key to staying competitive.

Set a Budget: Estimate how much you’ll need to cover campaign expenses like marketing, travel, and staffing. Campaign costs vary depending on the level of office and the competitiveness of the race.

Solicit Donations: Reach out to friends, family, and community members for early donations. Use crowdfunding platforms, hold fundraising events, and seek donations from political action committees (PACs) and organizations that align with your values.

Comply with Campaign Finance Laws: Ensure all donations and expenses are reported accurately. Be transparent with your donors and the public about how funds are being used.

8. Engage with Voters

Connecting with voters is the most important part of running a campaign. To win, you need to build relationships and earn the trust of the people. Here’s how to engage effectively:

Door-to-Door Canvassing: One of the most effective ways to meet voters is through face-to-face interaction. Knock on doors, introduce yourself, and share your platform. Listen to their concerns and adjust your message to reflect voter priorities.

Town Halls and Community Events: Attend local meetings, host town halls, and participate in public forums. Being visible and accessible to your community is essential.

Social Media and Digital Outreach: Use social media platforms to share your message, engage with voters, and respond to current events. A strong online presence can help you reach younger voters and mobilize supporters.

Phone and Text Banking: Use volunteers to make calls or send texts encouraging voters to learn more about your campaign and to turn out on Election Day.

9. Prepare for Public Speaking and Debates

You’ll likely have opportunities to participate in debates, interviews, and public forums. Being a confident and clear communicator is crucial. Here’s how to prepare:

Know Your Platform Inside and Out: Be ready to explain your policies clearly and concisely. Practice answering questions about your positions.

Handle Criticism: Opponents may challenge your record or positions. Remain calm and composed, and focus on articulating your message rather than getting defensive.

Engage in Active Listening: Show respect for your opponents and the audience. Listening carefully to questions and responding thoughtfully will help you connect with voters.

10. Get Out the Vote (GOTV)

As Election Day approaches, your focus should be on Get Out the Vote (GOTV) efforts. Mobilizing your supporters is key to securing a win. Here’s how:

Phone Calls and Text Messages: Remind your supporters to vote on Election Day. Provide them with information on polling locations and voting hours.

Volunteer Canvassing: Organize volunteers to knock on doors and encourage people to head to the polls.

Social Media Push: Use your social media channels to remind followers about Election Day, share polling locations, and emphasize the importance of voting.

Conclusion

Running for public office is an exciting opportunity to serve your community, advocate for the issues you care about, and shape the future. While it requires hard work, careful planning, and dedication, the experience is deeply rewarding. By focusing on your motivation, building a strong platform, engaging with voters, and mobilizing support, you can run a successful campaign and make a lasting impact.

How to Get Involved in the 2024 Elections

The 2024 elections are coming up, and they are a big deal! Whether you’re voting for the first time or have been involved in elections before, this is an important opportunity to shape the future of your community and country. If you’re wondering how you can get involved, there are plenty of ways to make a difference. Here’s how:

Register to Vote

The first and most important thing to do, if you’re eligible, is to register to vote. Either vote at home or register to vote at your Lawrence address very easily (but don’t vote both places!) The Lawrence Center for Community Engagement, has compiled a comprehensive guide to registering, so please click here for more information!

Volunteer for a Campaign

Volunteering for a campaign is a great way to get involved. You can help by making phone calls, sending text messages, or going door-to-door to talk to voters. Campaigns often look for volunteers to help spread the word about their candidate. It’s a fun way to meet people and learn more about the political process! It also helps that volunteer experience for a campaign can look great on a resume (especially if you’re a government student). To find volunteer opportunities, visit the campaign web site for the candidate you support.

Join a Voter Registration Drive

Helping others register to vote is another way to make a difference. Voter registration drives are held by community organizations, schools, and other groups to encourage people to register. You can assist by handing out forms, answering questions, or encouraging people to check their voter status. Every new voter counts, and you can play a part in boosting turnout.

Engage in Conversations

One of the easiest ways to influence the election is by talking to people about the importance of voting. Share what you’ve learned about the candidates and the issues with your friends, family, and neighbors. These conversations can inspire others to get involved and vote, especially those who might not be sure why it matters.

Attend Rallies and Events

Many candidates hold rallies, town halls, and other events where you can learn more about their platforms and ask questions. Attending these events can give you a deeper understanding of the issues at play and what’s at stake. You can also volunteer at these events to help with organizing and spreading the word.

Become a Poll Worker

In Wisconsin, you can sign up to become a poll worker through the MyVote Wisconsin website. Poll workers help ensure that Election Day runs smoothly by assisting voters, handling ballots, and making sure the process is fair. It’s a paid position, and you’ll get to see firsthand how elections work from behind the scenes.

Use Social Media

Social media is a powerful tool to spread awareness. You can post about the importance of voting, share information about candidates, or encourage people to register and vote early. Just make sure to verify that what you’re sharing is accurate. Social media can be a great way to connect with others who care about the election and want to make a difference.

Join or Start an Organization

Many organizations work to promote voter engagement and civic involvement. If you’re passionate about a specific issue, you can join a group that advocates for change. You can also start your own group at school or in your community to raise awareness and encourage others to take action. On campus, the Student Democrats is the only organization on campus directly linked with one of the two major political parties, but for those who want to be more involved in advocacy for very liberal issues, both Appleton Students for a Democratic Society and the Young Democratic Socialists of America are likely good fits!

Advocate for Issues You Care About

Even if you’re not directly involved with a campaign, you can still advocate for the issues that matter to you. Write for the Lawrentian, contact your representatives, or organize events to raise awareness. The more people hear about important issues, the more likely they are to vote with those issues in mind.

Future Leaders in Public Service Internship Program

Did you know that less than 7% of the full-time federal workforce is under 30? The government is looking to change that. They’re prioritizing paid internships that last 10-12 weeks. These internships are a great way to gain work experience, expand your professional network, and understand the impact of public service.

The program is managed by the Partnership for Public Service and it’s a fantastic opportunity to apply what you’ve learned in school to real-world situations. It’s also a chance to bring diverse young talent into the government. So, whether you’re an undergrad, grad student, or professional student, and no matter what your major is, you’re welcome to apply.

You can choose two career tracks that best align with your interests and skills:

Public Administration
Science, Mathematics, and Engineering
Government Contracting and Acquisition
Liberal Arts
Public Interest Technology

For more information, visit gogovernment.org/fellowship/future-leaders-in-public-service-internship-program/

Don’t miss this chance to make a difference!

How to make your Law School application stand out

You are approaching the end of your junior year at Lawrence. You have already carefully chosen your major, taken rigorous, relevant courses, and earned a strong GPA. You have also completed several pieces of research, become an excellent writer, and accomplished a great deal in an internship, specific extracurricular activity, or on-campus job. Now you are ready to start seriously thinking about your law school applications. How will you stand out from all the other applicants?

To stand out in a competitive pool requires a multi-pronged approach. Here are some specific actions you can take:

Maximize your LSAT score: This often carries the most weight. While aiming for a top score is ideal, consider retaking the test if you think you can improve significantly.

Tell your unique story: The personal statement is an especially important part of your application. Do not just list achievements. Instead, highlight your motivations, experiences, and how they shaped your passion for law.

Highlight specific skills and qualities: Use your personal statement and CV to demonstrate strengths like analytical thinking, problem-solving, communication, and leadership through anecdotes and examples.

Highlight relevant work experience and education: Your CV should also be used to highlight your academic achievements and any legal internships, or paralegal jobs you may have held. Unrelated jobs can also be included if they demonstrate responsibility, time management, and transferable skills.

Proofread meticulously: Eliminate typos and grammatical errors.

Get someone to review your material: Have someone with expertise in this area review your application material. Career Center staff and faculty members are extremely helpful in this regard.

Tailor your application to each school: Highlight features that align with their specific interests and programs.

Provide strong letters of recommendation: Choose faculty recommenders who know you well and can speak to your academic strengths and potential.

Consider optional essays: If offered, use them to address potential weaknesses or provide further context to your story.

Be genuine and authentic: Let your personality shine through, showing the admissions committee who you are beyond numbers and scores.

There’s no one-size-fits-all approach. However, by focusing on academic excellence, crafting compelling narratives, highlighting diverse experiences, and presenting a well-polished application, you can increase your chances of standing out in the competitive law school application pool.

The State Department Consular Fellows Program Language Test

If you are applying for a Foreign Service Officer position with the United States Department of State, there is a good deal of testing involved in the application process. One of the tests is the Consular Fellows Program Language Test. The Consular Fellows Program Language Test is a language screening test administered by the Foreign Service Institute’s Division of Language Testing and Assessment (FSI). It is the second stage of the application process for candidates who have passed the Qualifications Evaluation Panel (QEP). The test is used to assess a candidate’s proficiency in Mandarin, Spanish, Arabic, or Portuguese.

The following account of taking the Consular Fellows Program Language Test was written by former Lawrence student.

“This is my experience taking the Consular Fellows Language Test. Disclaimer: I took the test in late September of 2022, so it is possible that the test structure may have changed by the time you are reading this. I am writing this for you because when I was preparing for my Language Test, there were very few resources out there to get me familiar with what the test was like. Hopefully, you will find this helpful.

To begin, you will meet two people during the test, one test proctor and one native speaker of the language you are testing for. You will be talking with a native speaker most of the time, the test proctor will give you directions in English and you direct any questions you have about the test to them.

Speaking Test (30 Minutes)

The Speaking Test is technically an OPI (Oral Proficiency Interview). Information on the OPI can be found here. The test is broken up into three parts (the warm-up, discussion, and interview of the tester). It is important to mention that in the test: What you say does not really matter, all that matters is that you can say whatever it is you are saying. Try not to say anything in your native language, only speak in your target language. The Speaking Test is only concerned with that and how you communicate in your target language. So, you could technically lie in all your answers, just as long as all that you are saying is grammatically correct and in your target language.

Part 1: Warm-up

The State Department description is, “The examinee and tester have a discussion centered on biography, current events, or other topics.” That description is accurate to my experience. The native speaker asked me to introduce myself. You can include details like where you go to school, what you study, recent travels, hobbies, etc. Note: Anything you mention here, even in passing, can be taken by the native speaker and they will ask you to expand on the thing you mentioned. Just make sure that with anything that you say, you are prepared to talk about it further and in your target language.

Part 2: Discussion

The State Department description is, “Discussion prepared and presented by the applicant, from a list of topics presented to the applicant.” From my experience, the title “Discussion” is misleading, Part two was much more like an oral presentation. You get 7 minutes (or so) to talk about/make a case about a topic of the test proctor’s choosing. This is not a discussion; it is a speech you think up on the fly. The test proctor will tell you the topic and give you a couple of moments to think about a response, then you will have to present whatever it is you want to say about the topic. Topics like politics, climate change, a recent international economic catastrophe/success, and any general global event all are fair game to be asked to talk about. After my test, I asked the test proctor if you were presented with a topic you have no knowledge of, can you ask to get a new topic. And unfortunately, you cannot. So, during Part two, just work with what you have and what you know.

Part 3: Interview the Tester

The State Department’s description is, “You get the chance to interview the tester.” That description is accurate to my experience. The test proctor gives you a topic to ask the native speaker questions about. After the native speaker is done answering, the test proctor will ask you to report back to them (in English) on what the native speaker said.

The Reading Test

You get to read two passages (each about one page in length) You get 12 minutes per passage to read, and you can take notes during this time. After your reading time is up, the test proctor will ask you to tell them about what you read. Here, say everything you know about the passages. The two passages will be on topics pertaining to the country/countries where your target language is spoken, like a social phenomenon, current events, modern politics, and the state of that country’s economy.”

How to Prepare for the Test

● Brush up on vocab words you might need to know or that you might want to use during the speaking test

● Get used to reading the news in your target language

● Read up on current events (in English and your target language) to prepare for the speaking test

● Speak in your target language as much as possible. Talk with a friend in that language, and talk to yourself in that language

● Listen to your target language as much as possible. Listen to music in that language, watch movies/TV shows/the news from countries that speak that language

● Make an appointment to do a practice OPI. Ask your language teacher to sit down with you and do a practice OPI or just have a conversation in your target language

WORKS CITED:

https://www.boxyk.com/foreign-service-1/2022/12/12/the-qep-where-most-applications-go-to-die

https://www.languagetesting.com/oral-proficiency-interview-opi

https://www.languagetesting.com/pub/media/wysiwyg/manuals/opi-examinee-handbook.pdf

Political Campaign Staffers

Political campaign staffers are the backbone of every campaign. They are responsible for managing budgets, raising money, running social media, building field programs, prepping candidates for public appearances, and implementing campaign strategies. Campaign staffers have a difficult job because they must oversee the day-to-day operations of a campaign while also keeping the long-term strategic goals in mind. A political campaign staffer is a member of the campaign team. This team must manage the work of both internal and external aspects of the campaign. The campaign staff oversees everything from managing the door-to-door volunteers to approving the creative for digital ads and direct mail pieces. A good political campaign staff should also be creating reports on the campaign’s progress, which requires the ability to obtain, manage, and analyze data.

To get started as a political campaign staffer, most people start by volunteering to gain experience and relevant skills. In most roles, you need excellent written and oral communication skills and the ability to be persuasive and informative with diverse audiences. You should be enthusiastic about politics and passionate about relevant causes, issues, and priorities. There is no specific educational background required to be a political campaign staffer, but a bachelor’s degree in government or political science is very helpful. Political campaigns offer the opportunity to develop and refine a wide assortment of skills in an extremely fast-paced and flexible environment. Moreover, they give a unique perspective into the electoral process, as well as the cares and concerns of elected officials and the American public.

The average annual pay for a Political Campaign Staff in the United States is $42,776 a year. However, this can vary greatly depending on skill level, location, and years of experience.

People choose to be political campaign staffers for many reasons. Some are passionate about politics and want to make a difference in their community or country. Political campaign staffers can advance to managing larger campaigns for statewide or national office. Some senior campaign staffers may move into political consulting, working for multiple candidates or causes. Additionally, campaign staffers can use their skills and experience to transition into other careers such as public relations, journalism, or government work.

WORKS CITED:

https://hls.harvard.edu/bernard-koteen-office-of-public-interest-advising/a-quick-guide-to-working-on-political-campaigns/

https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/how-to-get-into-politics

https://work.chron.com/political-career-start-29679.html

https://www.thecampaignworkshop.com/blog/pillar/campaign-management/political-campaign-staff

https://www.ziprecruiter.com/e/How-to-Get-a-Political-Campaign-Staff-Job

https://online.norwich.edu/academic-programs/resources/running-a-political-campaign

https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-get-involved-in-activism-and-join-political-organization-2020-6

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_campaign_staff

https://spcs.richmond.edu/professional-education/areas/legal-government/campaign-management/index.html

https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Industry=Political_Campaign/Salary