Post on 04-Aug-2020
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““ Sponsoring a Sponsoring a NonpartisanNonpartisan
Candidate ForumCandidate Forum ”” 110 Days Until November 4 110 Days Until November 4
ELECTION DAY!ELECTION DAY! Do you know where the Do you know where the
candidates stand?candidates stand?
State and local voter engagement initiatives –Expanding the role of America’s nonprofits in voting and elections
Closing participation gaps for underrepresented and lower turnout communities
Why?Why?
Voter Education
Why?Why?
Voter Education Candidate education
Why?Why?
Voter Education Candidate education
Clout for your nonprofit
Why?Why?
Voter Education Candidate education
Clout for your nonprofit Power for your community
The Big 3The Big 3
The Big 3The Big 3
The Big 3The Big 3
The Big 3The Big 3
1. Collaborate: partner with other nonprofits to sponsor your candidate
forum.
The Big 3The Big 3
1. Collaborate: partner with other nonprofits to sponsor your candidate
forum.
2. Organize: turnout is EVERYTHING!
The Big 3The Big 3
1. Collaborate: partner with other nonprofits to sponsor your candidate
forum.
2. Organize: turnout is EVERYTHING!
3. Nonpartisan and Neutral: in all aspects of your event
Getting StartedGetting Started
Decide which race you want to highlight.
Getting StartedGetting Started
Ask yourself: –Who decides?–Who affects our organization? –Who affects our community?–Where can we find partners?
Getting StartedGetting Started
Find your partners
How to Find PartnersHow to Find Partners
Consider the following:
– Organizations in your neighborhood– Organizations that work in similar issue areas– Faith communities– Local businesses– Civic-related groups– Organizations that can turn out an audience
How to Find Partners How to Find Partners
Your CoalitionYour Coalition
Set meetingsSet clear expectationsDelegateFollow upGo!!!
Getting Started Getting Started
Use Your Skills!Use Your Connections!!
ORGANIZE!!!
Organize Organize
Don’t Let This Happen To You….
OrganizeOrganize
Make sure that EVERYONE is doing turnout!FliersPhone callsEmailsYour clients and constituentsThe larger community Reminders!
Getting StartedGetting Started
One Rule to RememberOne Rule to Remember
501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations may not support or oppose a candidate for office.
Staying Nonpartisan and Staying Nonpartisan and Neutral Neutral
• The forum must cover a broad range of issues
• Candidates must get equal time
• Don’t ask candidates to endorse your organization’s position on an issue
• Select a fair and neutral moderator
Staying Nonpartisan and Staying Nonpartisan and NeutralNeutral
Invite all viable candidates
At least 2 candidates must agree to attend
Select a neutral site
Create a nonpartisan environment – no campaign materials in the forum hall
Ask the audience to refrain from cheering or booing.
Time to CampaignTime to Campaign
Plan for a table outside of the forum hall for campaign literature.
Plan time for candidates to meet informally with forum attendees, after the event.
Communicate these opportunities to the candidates and the audience.
What the Candidates WantWhat the Candidates Want
A large audience!
A guarantee of neutrality
A trusted and respected host or sponsor for the event
Time to meet informally with the voters
Engage the Media!Engage the Media!
•Do publicity before your event
•Make sure to have media at the event
•Follow with media after the event
Step 1: Select a FormatStep 1: Select a Format
Equal Time Q&APrepared and Spontaneous Debate
Follow-Up Q&A
Town Meeting Q&A
Unconventional Candidate Events
Your Forum Format Your Forum Format
Regardless of the format you select, it is best
to designate staff to collect
and vet the questions for
the candidates.
4 Months to Go4 Months to Go
Identify co-sponsors!
Set a date, time and place for the forum
Develop your budget and stick to it!
Finding CoFinding Co --SponsorsSponsors1. Local nonprofits
2. Nonpartisan groups like the League of Women Voters
3. Civics teachers at the local high school or college
4. Issue groups such as arts groups
5. Local places of worship
6. Local businesses
3 Months to Go3 Months to Go
Invite all candidates
– Bookend invitations with phone calls
– Emphasize your nonpartisan mission– Maintain good contact throughout the process
Initiate contact with the media– Make a list of media– Send out an advisory– Designate a media liaison
2 Months to Go2 Months to Go
Recruit volunteers!
Select a moderator
Follow up with your candidates
Strategize on turning out your audience
Recruiting VolunteersRecruiting Volunteers
For set up and tear downTo help with turnout To collect audience questionsTo help keep everything nonpartisan
Selecting a ModeratorSelecting a Moderator
A local newspaper, television or radio journalist.A League of Women Voters trained
moderator.A recognized nonprofit leader
1 Month to Go1 Month to Go
Final confirmation of candidates
Reconfirm site arrangements
Assign staff duties
Reconfirm volunteers
Distribute promotional materials
Contact media to promote coverage
Reconfirm moderator
CONFIRMCONFIRM
CONFIRMCONFIRM
CONFIRMCONFIRM
CONFIRMCONFIRM
CONFIRMCONFIRM
CONFIRMCONFIRM
Taking Care of the CandidatesTaking Care of the Candidates
Select a staff person to act as a liaison to each candidate.
Less Than a Month to GoLess Than a Month to Go
Continue to recruit audience!
Confirm duties w/ volunteers
Final media reminders
Select a timekeeper for the event
On the Big DayOn the Big Day
Set up at forum facilityHave staff greet the
candidatesSet up a head tableWelcome and Thanks-yousReview the ground rulesInformal Q&A after the forum
PublicizingPublicizingPromote! Promote! Promote!
Use New Media
Community Radio
Do it in person
Frame the forum as a “community event”
Get a well known nonpartisan co-sponsor
What Not to DoWhat Not to DoRead Checklist at Back of Toolkit – page 13!!
Other ResourcesOther Resources
Alliance for Justicewww.afj.orgCenter for Lobbying in the Public Interestwww.clpi.orgIRSwww.irs.gov/charities/charitableLeague of Women Voterswww.lwv.org
More Nonprofit VOTEMore Nonprofit VOTEwww.nonprofitvote.org
Bridgette Rongitsch, bridgette@nonprofitvote.org651-642-1904 ext. 246