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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