Have you given up on Illinois?
Over the weekend, 45 leading activists, interns, volunteers, and future candidates joined the Illinois Opportunity Project to offer a resounding “no!”
Rather than throwing up their hands, there is a growing movement of activists across the state who are excited and determined to save our state through economic reforms. IOP hosted 45 of these individuals for a campaign management workshop to help develop and execute their own successful advocacy campaigns all over the state.
Our trainers took attendees through a series of training sessions leading with how to build a campaign strategy by laying out first principles, goals, and plans to get there. With a strategy established, attendees went through modules on how to build and execute messaging and voter contact campaigns. We provided best practices and tools for each so individuals can have the biggest impact with their time.
Once we covered putting together a strategy and executing against it, we taught attendees how to put together a fundraising plan and went step by step through the process of building a list of potential supporters, making successful asks, and cultivating donors.
Marilyn Smolenski, former candidate for state representative and Vice President of Republican Women Of Park Park Ridge said:
“As a former-candidate and the Vice President of RWOPR, this highly- impactful training is exactly what every future leader should go through. Whether you are a candidate, elected official, activist, or local leader, the training put on by the Illinois Opportunity Project is critical to making an impact in your community, advancing policy, and running for office. I am so glad I went!”
State Rep. Tom Morrison and Cook County Board of Review Commissioner Dan Patlak came to speak to attendees and share their advice and best practices in running successful campaigns. Their experience as candidates and unique insights were an added bonus to the training.
2020 will be a pivotal election year for Illinoisans. We must educate voters and elect and support conservative reform leaders that offer a contrast to the tax hiking, big government, Chicago Democrats that have overreached and are vowing to make Illinois one of the most progressive states in the nation.
Across the state, activists, candidates, and volunteers are rising to the challenge. We will continue to make it a priority to arm and grow a coalition of activists, volunteers, and future candidates with the skills and tools they need to change policy and improve the lives of our families and communities.