Voter Engagement Basics

Brief Summary/Overview:  Welcome back to your Precinct Delegate Journey! In recent weeks, we've explored our party's structure (Weeks 3 & 4) and delved into the critical role you play as Precinct Delegates (Weeks 5 & 6) – being the vital link to your community and an agent of change, even tackling real-world local issues like the Solar Ordinance.

Now, we're gearing up for action! This week marks a crucial pivot as we begin to build the practical skills for effective voter engagement. While our usual rhythm is "learn then reinforce," this week we're strategically laying two distinct foundations back-to-back:

    First (In-Person Session - Week 7): We'll focus on WHO we're trying to reach. You'll meet our dedicated Data Team and learn how they can help you pinpoint specific groups of voters in your precincts. We'll even get hands-on with maps to start planning your initial outreach areas ("turf"). This groundwork is essential for targeted and efficient communication.

    Then (Online Exploration - Week 8): We'll turn inward to uncover WHY you're committed to this work. You'll embark on an Exploration to "Find Your Why", crafting your personal story and core message. This authentic foundation will fuel all your future interactions, from writing postcards to knocking on doors.

Understanding who to contact and connecting with your personal motivation are the powerful first steps before we dive into the specific techniques of messaging and conversation in the weeks to come. Let's get started!

Learning Goals: By the end of this week's combined activities (the In-Person Session and the Online Exploration), participants will be able to:

•     Identify the members of the Data Team and understand their role in supporting Precinct Delegate voter outreach efforts (Week 7).

•     Describe the basic capabilities of NGP VAN for generating voter lists based on attributes and geographic areas (Week 7).

•     Collaborate with fellow delegates within their precinct to define an initial geographic area (turf) for voter contact (Week 7).

•     Identify their core personal motivations for being involved as a Democrat and a Precinct Delegate (Week 8).

•     Draft key talking points for a concise "personal story" they can use to authentically connect with voters (Week 8).