Join us on June 10th for this Women on Board live event. Ready to Run® North Carolina is a one-day campaign training for women. Participants will learn from prominent elected and appointed leaders, campaign consultants, party officials, and policy experts.

This bipartisan program is for women who want to run for office, seek higher office, work on a campaign, get appointed to office, or learn more about the political system.

Ready to Run North Carolina

June 10, 2023 (9:30 AM- 4:45 PM)

The Junior League of Raleigh (711 Hillsborough Street, Raleigh, NC)

2023/06/10 09:30:00

AGENDA

9:30 AM -10:15 AM: Finding Your Voice in North Carolina Politics 

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 and getting active in a political party.

Presenter: Jessica Holmes

 

 

10:15 AM-11:45 AM: Deciding to Run 

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.

Presenter: Anna Scott Marsh, Michael Best Strategies LLC

 

 

11:45-12:45 PM Lunch Keynote with Congresswoman Deborah Ross (NC-02)

Congresswoman Deborah Ross is currently in her second term representing North Carolina’s Second Congressional District, which includes most of Wake County. She serves on the House Judiciary Committee; the House Ethics Committee; the House Committee on Space, Science, and Technology; and the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic. She is also a member of the House Democrats’ leadership team, serving as a Chief Deputy Whip and on the Steering and Policy Committee.

She graduated from law school at UNC-Chapel Hill and entered public service in 2002 when she ran for and won a seat representing Wake County in the North Carolina House of Representatives, where she served for more than a decade.

 

1:00 PM -2:00 PM: Fundraising 

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.

Presenter: Maggie Barlow, Maven Strategies

 

2:15-3:15 PM: Communicating Your Message 

This session will provide the practical information you need to prepare yourself to run for office or to advocate for issues you care about, including developing a unique and persuasive message and improving your digital presence. We will also cover tips for communicating on-camera, connecting through virtual platforms, and adjusting to an evolving news environment.

Presenter: Donna King, Carolina Journal and Brooke Medina, The John Locke Foundation

 

3:30-4:45 PM: 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 lawmakers and lawmaking 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.

Presenter: Skye David, New Frame LLC

This program focuses on the track record of women in public service and how the participants can continue and improve on that record.

Jessica Holmes- Program Manager

Jessica is an attorney, serving as a Deputy Commissioner on the North Carolina Industrial Commission. She graduated from UNC at Chapel Hill School of Law, where she earned the Distinguished Young Alumni Award and Outstanding Recent Graduate Award, respectively.
In November 2014, she was elected as the youngest county commissioner ever elected in Wake County’s history. Subsequently, she was unanimously elected by her colleagues to serve as Chair, becoming the youngest person ever to hold the position.

In 2020, Jessica became the first woman of color to earn the Democratic nomination for North Carolina Commissioner of Labor.

Ready to Run® North Carolina

In collaboration with the Center for American Women in Politics, IOPL is hosting the first Ready to Run® North Carolina event on June 10th in Raleigh. This nonpartisan program has assisted thousands of women across the country in running for office, seeking appointed positions, and managing campaigns.

Ready to Run® program attendees walk away with the following:

  • “How to” instructions on running for office
  • Fundraising and media skills
  • Real-world advice and best practices from experts
  • Strategies for positioning yourself for public leadership
  • Inspiration to launch a campaign

When: June 10, 2023 (8:30 AM- 5:00 PM)
Where: The Junior League of Raleigh (711 Hillsborough Street, Raleigh, NC)

Women on Board Workshop Request