Base Building and Elections: Winning While Building Grassroots Power
Session Type(s): Training
Starts: Thursday, Jun. 20 1:30 PM (Eastern)
Ends: Thursday, Jun. 20 2:45 PM (Eastern)
This session will address how elections can be won in such a way that power is built up in the grassroots and that winning is more than 50 percent plus 1. Participants will learn how we can use elections to build and expand the base by bringing new people into the process by building authentic relationships in communities. We will also discuss how communities and constituencies must be seen as partners in this work in order to create infrastructure that lasts long after the election, builds power and grows new leaders. Will will demonstrate how to put together a base building plan that utilizes power mapping and targeting, as well as share success stories from successful campaigns.
Trainers
Peggy Flanagan
Peggy Flanagan is a dynamic teacher, trainer, and community and political organizer. She is an enrolled member of the White Earth Band of Ojibwe. Peggy is the Director of External Affairs at Wellstone Action – the country’s largest progressive training center. She also serves as adjunct faculty for the George Washington University’s Native American Political Leadership Program.
Recently named as one of the top 100 most influential people in Minnesota politics by Campaigns & Elections magazine, Peggy was the First Americans GOTV Coordinator in Minnesota for Barack Obama’s Campaign for Change and Al Franken for Senate campaign. Peggy was elected to the Minneapolis School Board in 2004 and was the first Native American to serve on that body.
Peggy graduated from the University of Minnesota with a bachelor’s degree in American Indian Studies and child psychology.
Peggy lives in Minneapolis with her husband, Tim and their dog, Reuben.
Other sessions: Native Vote: Why Winning Indian Country Matters to You
Prairie Rose Seminole
As North Dakota’s Native Vote director, Prairie Rose works around the country with the Native American Leadership Program, with Wellstone Action to train and empower leaders, activists, campaign workers, and those seeking elected office.
Prairie Rose has served as a District 45 delegate to the North Dakota Democratic Convention since 2008 and as the Native American liaison to the DEM-NPL Executive Committee. In 2010 she ran for State Representative in North Dakota’s 45th legislative district.
Prairie Rose believes in and emphasizes the interconnected nature of humanity and faith and the responsibility we all have to ensuring social accountability in communities of respect and opportunity – an understanding that lies at the core of her being. She brings her personal experience, as well as the perspectives of a wide range of social thinkers to her work, and believes that knowing personal truth, and building relationships based on values is fundamental to change work.
Other sessions: Native Vote: Why Winning Indian Country Matters to You