Determining whether to run or not, is a difficult decision. Of course, the final call is yours alone but, it is helpful to discuss it with others who have an understanding of the variables at play. Contact Women + in Politics to help you sort through the pros and cons of offering to be a candidate. Our Candidate support team would be happy to meet with you to discuss your options.
You are welcome to attend our Campaign School sessions, participate in our Candidate Chats, and take part in our various events, while you are in discernment. We can also match you with a mentor who has had a real life experience of being a candidate and knows what it is like to be in the midst of a campaign. All these activities will help you to make the correct choice for you.
If you decide to declare your intention to run, the Candidate Support Team members will be pleased to assist you in sketching out your campaign timeline. They can also help you determine your campaign team needs and work out a basic budget for the campaign. Once you get your team in place, your volunteers will be able to further develop these tools so that they are fashioned for your unique campaign.
If you decide it is not your time, but you are interested in running at a future date, we will be happy to match you with a candidate. As a volunteer on her campaign team, you will experience for yourself the ups and downs of running for public office. This intimate view of the inner workings of a campaign team will give you ideas for your future campaign
We also would encourage you to consider your personal development. The period between this campaign and the next one is an ideal time to improve your public speaking ability, become a more effective communicator and develop your leadership skills. Campaign School presenter, Margaret Page, President Elect of Toastmasters International, has worked with women candidates for over a decade. She stated that one of the reasons women do not offer is their lack of self confidence in public speaking. Women + in Politics Fredericton recommends Toastmasters as a high quality personal development program at a more than affordable price. There are a number of clubs in the Fredericton area giving you a choice of noon hour and evening meetings. Check out the website: https://www.toastmasters.org/