The best Green Party campaign school ever, will be this coming Sunday, August 24 in Guelph. Come to Guelph on Friday (Aug 22) or Saturday, Aug 23 -- canvass, party on Friday and/or Saturday night, stay over with a Guelph Green host, then Sunday morning get the inside scoop on secrets of this fantastic campaign and the provincial election before it.
This is the perfect opportunity for candidates, campaign managers, volunteer coordinators, canvass directors, office managers, sign teams, core volunteers and EDA/CA executives, active Greens, Young Greens to get an inside look at the strategies that led the Guelph Greens to win almost 10,000 votes just 10 months ago (20%) and be on track to win in the Sept 8 by-election.
This is perfect for everyone on your team!
Where: Mike Nagy Campaign Headquarters, corner of Gordon & Wellington, Guelph
When: Campaign School: 10:30am-noon, Sunday August 24th;
Canvassing: Friday 6-9pm, Saturday 11am and 6pm; Sunday noon to 6 pm. (or any portion of these times that work for you). BBQs follow canvassing.
What: Tips, tools, techniques and tricks of great Green campaigning and electioneering (canvassing, online tools, volunteer management, Getting Out The Vote (GOTV), messaging, media relations, literature, budgeting, etc.), and put your skills into action to elect our first MP!
Why: Because every Green deserves to experience and learn from the biggest campaign ever run (largest budget, greatest ID/GOTV effort, best office location/dynamic, etc.), and because with your help, Guelph can elect the first Green MP (and we have the numbers to back that up). Also, because there's no better place to be than Downtown Guelph for a beautiful weekend in August.
Who: Session leaders include all the key individuals from the Guelph's Going Green campaign, the highest spending Green campaign ever in Canada, the one with the highest ever identified supporters (by Eday); the biggest campaign ever by volunteer hours contributed.
The provincial campaign spent only $28,000 and won 19.5% of the vote -- almost 10,000 votes! Learn the secrets of this provincial election strategy that ran on only 15% of the volunteer hours that will be invested in this federal by-election.
Transportation: Guelph is accessible by VIA Rail, GO bus, Greyhound, Hwy 401+6 or Hwy 7. Carpooling can be matched up by contacting Jason (jasonhammond@greenparty.ca). Better yet, invite other folks from your area, fill a car, and use the vehicle in Guelph to reach out to those high priority but tricky corners of the riding!
Accommodation: Billeting available with friendly local Greens, or stay with the Young Greens in the campaign house. We can make it easy for you to make a whole weekend of it.
Contact Martin (mlavicto@yahoo.ca or 519-362-8872) to arrange accommodation. Please bring sleeping gear if you can (think camping without the tent), and let us know what level of sleeping arrangements you require (proper bed, couch, inflatable floor mattress, info for a hotel if you prefer to pay for one...)
Food: We have a steady supply of food and drink in the office, along with BBQs for canvassers (veggie burgers & beef), fresh corn, and the campaign office is 5 minute walking distance from wonderful downtown restaurants, ranging from Irish pubs to Sushi to Latin foods to vegetarian oases. Also, there will be outings to some favourite spots.
Fun: You, too can be the proud owner of a Guelph's Going Green t-shirt (complimentary to volunteers). We have had a great time decorating our space, and regularly host teams and products from other sustainability efforts.
On Saturday, we will have a super display of a van that has been converted to run on Veggie Oil; he will be here at 11.30/noon on Saturday (vegvan.ca). Who knows what else we'll come up with next to inspire our team and our neighbours?
Register now! Simply email your intention to come (and your home riding), which days and overnights you plan to enjoy Guelph, the number of folks you plan to bring, your transportation/accommodation/food/special needs, etc. by Thursday if you can, to Jason Hammond (jasonhammond@greenparty.ca)! If all else fails, simply arrive, but your registration helps us fully prepare to welcome you.
Please forward this to all of your Green contacts - spread the word! We look forward to seeing you, and serving you in Parliament with your first Green MP!
PS: There's only 20 days till Election day -- and this weekend is going to be a big push!
CAN'T MAKE IT?: Get phone canvassing! Email mark.kersten@greenparty.ca to get set up. This is an easy way to do critical work for the campaign whenever you have an hour at home to spare. Also, it's a great idea to be familiar with this system of online tools before your local campaign! Also, if you're into the whole "web 2.0" thing, support our blogging, facebook, youtube, hubdub, and other online efforts.
Campaign time is anytime. If this weekend does not work for you, but you would like to help in person at another time, just drop us a line - we're working hard for you every day.
Thanks for your support!
--
Jason Hammond
Get Out The Vote Coordinator, Guelph's Going Green
Male Co-Chair, Young Greens of Canada
jasonhammond@greenparty.ca | Office in Guelph: (519) 820-6899
Mike Nagy sign painted by local Guelph artist