Run Sister Run 2017

Run Sister Run: Women of the African Diaspora Changing the Political Landscape

C Run Sister Run panelists 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.

2017 Agenda
Run Sister Run Steering Committee
More details about Ready to Run ® here

Run Sister Run/Ready to Run^® 2017 Agenda

(Check back regularly for updates.)

Friday, March 10, 2017

11:00 am	Registration opens
Noon - 1:30 pm	Welcome and Opening Keynote
1:45 - 4:00 pm	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. Moderator Council President Mildred C. Crump, City of Newark Panelists Dashay Carter, Member, Newark Board of Education Freeholder Linda Carter, County of Union Councilwoman Carolyn Chang, Township of Westampton Assemblywoman Angela McKnight, New Jersey Legislature Mayor Barbara A. Wallace, Township of Washington
4:15 - 6:00 pm	Welcome and Plenary Session: Digital Strategies for Candidates, Campaigns, and Advocates Digital 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 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.
6:00 pm	Networking Reception

Saturday, March 11, 2017

7:30 am	Registration opens
8:15 - 9:45 am	Keynote Plenary: What Women Candidates Need to Know
10:00 am - Noon	Track 1: Launching your Campaign This session provides an overview of the key elements of a campaign, including assesing and establishing oneself as a candidate, developing a campaign plan, structuring a campaign organization, and voter contact.
10:00 am - Noon	Track 2 : Finding Your Political Voice and Influence This session, designed for those who are not ready to run but want to have some 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 onself for appointments to a public board or commission and getting active in a political party.
Noon - 2:15 pm	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.
2:30 - 3:45 pm	Track 1: Navigating New Jersey's Political Parties as a Potential Candidate This 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 part organization is not supportive.
2:30 - 3:45 pm	Track 2: Legislative Advocacy This session is designed for those who are not ready to run but want to have an impact on important issues. Legislative advocacy is working with individual law makers and law making bodies to gain support for your cause or initiative. Learn how to organize a legislative advocacy campaign, including gathering allies, creating a campaign structure, building a communication network, and cultivating media relationships.
4:00 - 5:30 pm	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.

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 Nisa Sheikh at (848) 932-8566 or nisa.sheikh@eagleton.rutgers.edu.