Run Sister Run: Women of the African Diaspora Changing the Political Landscape
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AWP, together with a steering committee of African American women leaders, sponsors Run Sister Run: Women of the African Diaspora Changing the Political Landscape, a preconference session of Ready to Run® Campaign Training for Women. Run Sister Run participants attend a half-day session that targets issues of particular interest to African American women running for political office. Run Sister Run participants then attend Ready to Run® to learn about the nuts and bolts of working on a campaign. Ready to Run® offers a unique opportunity for potential women candidates to hear directly from prominent elected and appointed leaders, campaign consultants, and party officials about how to get Ready to Run®. Topics covered include fundraising, navigating the political parties, working with the media, and developing a campaign plan.
2016 Agenda
Run Sister Run Steering Committee
More details about Ready to Run® here
Run Sister Run/Ready to Run® 2016 Agenda
(Check back regularly for updates.)
Friday, March 18, 2016
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8:00 am |
Registration opens |
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8:30 - 9:45 am |
Welcome and Opening Keynote
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10:00 am - noon
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Roundtable: Sister to Sister – Advice from the Experts
Real advice from the real experts – women who have done it themselves. Panelists will provide insights and advice on important topics for current or future public officials, including use of technology, ethics, practical tips for getting and staying informed on policy issues, personal finances, image and presentation, and dealing with sexism.
     
Featuring:
Joyce Wilson Harley, Esq., Vice President of Administration and Finance, Essex County College
T. Missy Balmir, Political Consultant and CEO, Thorough Planning LLC
Charnette Frederic, Council President, Township of Irvington
Crystal Johns, United Talent Agency
Kimberly Peeler-Allen, Co-founder, Higher Heights for America
Assemblywoman Shavonda Sumter, New Jersey Assembly
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12:15 – 1:45 pm
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Ready to Run® Welcome and Lunch Plenary Session: What Women Candidates Need to Know
(for the full details of the Ready to Run® agenda, including speakers, click here.)
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2:00 - 4:00 pm
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Breakout Sessions
Track 1: Launching Your Campaign
This session provides an overview of the key elements of a campaign, including assessing and establishing oneself as a candidate, developing a campaign plan, structuring a campaign organization, and voter contact.
Track 2: Political Parties, Appointments, and Advocacy – Tools and Tips for Getting Started
This session, designed for those who are not ready to run but want to have an impact on important issues, offers an overview of the “nuts and bolts” of government and political parties in the state. Topics covered will include positioning oneself for appointment to a public board or commission, getting active in a political party, and using effective advocacy techniques. The first half of the panel will address how to become active in the political parties. The second section of the panel will cover positioning oneself for appointment to a public board or commission and learning how to be an advocate on legislative issues.
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4:15 - 5:45 pm
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Plenary: Fundraising for Success
Fundraising is one of the most crucial aspects of a campaign. This interactive workshop covers key components of campaign fundraising, including special emphasis on understanding why people give and the in-person “ask.” The session will also address developing a strategy for your campaign, building a donor list, recruiting and motivating a finance committee, and special events.
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5:45 pm |
Networking Reception |
Saturday, March 19, 2016
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8:00 am |
Registration opens |
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8:45 - 9:30 am |
Welcome Back and Opening Keynote: My Story from the Campaign Trail |
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9:40 - 11:30 am
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Breakout Sessions
Track 1: Navigating New Jersey’s Political Parties As a Potential Candidate
The session will highlight the power dynamics of party organizations, building relationships with party operatives and gaining the party’s support, and will address how to respond when the party organization is not supportive.
Track 2: The Campaign Trail: Getting Involved
This session, designed for those who are not ready to run but want to work and volunteer on campaigns, offers an overview of the opportunities of getting involved in campaigns at every level and offer advice on how to build on those experiences.
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11:30 am - 1:45 pm
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Luncheon Plenary: Conquering the Camera – An Interactive Media Training
This interactive media training workshop will include tips for successful interviews on tough topics, how to look poised and professional on camera, staying on message, and public speaking techniques. Selected participants will take part in mock interviews and on-camera practice sessions.
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2:00 - 3:30 pm
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Plenary Session: Internet Strategies for Candidates, Campaigns and Advocates
Internet outreach is a key aspect of today’s political and advocacy campaigns. Online tools including blogs, social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and other online organizing and communications resources are increasingly important for getting campaign messages out to a broad audience of potential voters or stakeholders. This session will provide an overview of best practices and offer practical tips on how to get started or enhance your online presence.
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Run Sister Run Steering Committee
(Affiliations listed for identification purposes only.)
Charlene Brown
New Jersey External Affairs Vice President, AT&T
Lauren Cooper
Tahirah Cooper
Tara Dowdell
The Tara Dowdell Group, LLC
Joyce Wilson Harley, Esq.
Executive Director of Administrative Services, Essex County College
Desha Jackson
New Jersey Women Lawyers Association (NJWLA)
Barbara George Johnson
John S. Watson Institute for Public Policy, Thomas Edison State College
Francesca Dulce Larson
Mosaic Strategies Group
Genia Philip
Black Americans Lobbying for Leadership of Tomorrow (BALLOT) and Caribbean Bar Association
Questions?
Contact Jean Sinzdak at (848) 932-8781 or sinzdak@eagleton.rutgers.edu.
