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DFA Campaign Academy Alumni Stories

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Anne Pritchett

Pittsburg, PA Training (Netroots Nation) – August 2009

The most important thing you can do after this training is to use it to help improve your community. It is your obligation as a citizen to get involved. This training will give you the tools you need to make that involvement matter. After the training, I led a successful campaign to keep my school district from closing my school. I also lobbied for a renters rights law in MO, which passed, and I received a framed copy of the bill signed by the governor.

 

Michael Tolbert

Shreveport, LA Training – June 2009

I ran in for City Council, District 5 in Tyler, TX and made a respectable showing in a district that was overwhelmingly Republican.  The election got good press from local newspaper and now has a good following to hold the new Councilman accountable for addressing the issues that we raised: jobs, leadership with integrity, and improving the quality of life for all.

At the time of the training, I had no intention of running for office, but I learned a lot in the training that I was able to use in precinct organizing and on the campaign. Learn all you can, because you will certainly have an opportunity to apply it in politics at some point in life.

 

Matt Keating

Redding, CA Training – June 2009

At a 2009 DFA training in Redding, CA we discussed counter-strategy and I mentioned the right-wing "teabaggers" efforts to derail our 4th of July Celebration by marching as anti-tax revolutionaries. Our group brainstormed a brilliant strategy to out-class the teabaggers: simply THANK our police, fire, veterans, and teachers for providing such vital social services. It worked rather well!

You should take great notes at the training and bring as many cohorts as possible so you can split up and attend all breakout sessions and compare notes.  Go on a road trip to one of the trainings with a buddy—the brainstorming sessions as you compare notes, information, and inspiration on the drive back home are great!

Linda Brooks

Newport News, VA Training – March 2009

I took me many years to get the DFA training in Newport News, VA, but it was well worth the wait and was first class all the way. The training manual was extensive and extremely useful. I used the skills I learned to help Gary West run his campaign for Delegate of Virginia. I work the precincts and used the skills I gained to make a more extensive use of poll workers. I also learned how to reach out to campaigns at the local and state level and mirror some of their successful campaigns. As the campaign progressed, I would check the manual to see if we were on the right track, and usually we were way ahead of where we needed to be.

Get the word out early about the training. They are impressive. The trainers, one of whom worked Gary's campaign are experts in their respective fields. The two days will go fast and you will come away with all the info you need to be a candidate or organizer.


James Williams

Fresno, CA Training – March 2009

The seeds planted at the DFA training in Fresno will pay off in 2010 and 2012.  We now have a community of trained activist and candidates that have a better understanding of running a campaign.  This is something we have never had in this county before. We used the canvassing, networking, and messaging skills we learned to pull Fresno County into a voter registration tie, connect with unions, and talk to groups and individuals. We have changed the voter registration by over 10,000 in our favor here in Fresno County.  This is going to make it easier to get Democrats and progressives elected. We have trained activists to help get those running for office elected.  All the pieces are in place to start winning now.

 

E J Zipprich & Juanita Lewis for Red Bank Council

West Long Branch Training - April 2008       

We implemented a campaign plan, fundraising plan, field plan, finance plan based on all the DFA Training Academy materials and exercises we learned at the April training in NJ. We won handily...Juanita and I both knew that we needed 2,360 votes each to win our seats on the Council. We bested a sitting GOP incumbent and her running mate with 2,505 for Ed and 2,490 for Juanita to our opponents 1723 and 1933 respectively.           

We won handily thanks to DFA. We couldn't have done this without our friends at DFA in VT and Monmouth for Democracy DFA/PDA and the support of the Red Bank, NJ Dems! Thanks a million - Arshad and crew - You rock!

                             

Walt Chappell, Kansas Board of Education District 8

Kansas City, MO Training - May 2008

In a heavily Republican state, I was the only Democrat in Sedgwick County to win who was not an incumbent. This included all judge, legislative, county commission, sheriff, county clerk and registrar of deed candidates. Learn more about my campaign at http://www.chappell4ksboe.com. Like Obama, I built a broad coalition of Democrats, Republicans and Unaffiliated voters. However, I received 45,251 votes to beat my Republican opponent with less than $11,500 in contributions from 116 small donors. I will be glad to share the details of my winning campaign strategy if it would be helpful to other candidates.           

The DFA training that I received in Kansas City plus the online Night School sessions was practical, effective and presented by people who have actual experience winning elections. My own campaign team was made up of dedicated and determined DFA-Wichita volunteers who gave good advice and worked hard. We created a Message of Change that voters could believe in. I encourage any Democrat who is running a campaign to participate in DFA training if they want to win their election.

 

Jet Netwal

Orlando, FL Training - May 2008        

I worked to elect Alan Grayson for Congress, FL-8.  Like a lot of people, after the Kerry loss in 2004, I got angry. My immediate outlet was blogging, which helped me plug in politically. In 2006, I got a piece of campaign lit from Alan Grayson, emailed one of my blog-mates (who was also in FL-8) and we decided to interview Alan. By the end of the interview, I was hooked. The idea of getting a progressive of that caliber into my rep's seat was intoxicating. Unfortunately, Grayson lost the primary shortly thereafter. The night of the loss, I emailed him and said, "When you decide to run again, I will work for you". I put up a google alert on Alan, and when I saw he'd declared in August of 2007, I sent an email. We did meetings and DEC's and Clubs and parades, adding more and more staff and volunteers as the months marched by. I began attending Nancy Jacobsen's DFA Meetups, and when she announced an Orlando training session, I knew I had to go. Holy crap, did I learn a boatload! I not only got everything I needed, but I learned lingo, and filled in dozens of blanks on how to get from A to Z. When I staggered out of there Sunday afternoon, I was exhausted, but inside, I felt like a force. That night, I emailed Alan: Thank you SO much for sending me to the DFA training. I learned more than just a few tactics, I got the big picture handed to me in chunks I can envision executing. It's amazing when you step into precisely the right thing at the right moment. This training was like that for me... In July, Alan and I headed for Netroots Nation in Austin. Jay Parmley, one of my trainers in Orlando, was a class act in helping me get a meeting arranged between Alan and Jim Dean. I can't express how wild it was for me, a woman from a little town (pop. 1800) in Florida to sit in on a meeting with a future congressman and a national mover and shaker. I literally pinched myself! I used so much of what I learned from the DFA during the last months of Alan's successful campaign, networking, recruiting volunteers, working PR on the web, and making calls,

We won -- now what? For me, it's precinct building, and I can't wait to get started!            If you want to make changes, get trained. If you can run, RUN, but first, get trained. We need Dems to run, we need Dems to help them win, but first and foremost, we need a plan. The DFA training is that plan. Smarter AND harder... wins. It's that simple.

                             

 

Bryan Miller

Milwaukee, WI Training - July 2008        

As county party chair for Kenosha County, WI, I was working on several campaigns, from State Assembly to Congress to President. The skills learned in DFA Training Academy allowed me to see which campaigns were following real plans versus a "sign campaign." It enabled me in my TV and Newspaper interviews related to campaigns the ability to discuss proper campaigning and the campaigns that did things right. The two days and minimal dollars enabled me to do my job to better than my ability, and help in areas I previously had no knowledge. The campaigns for all our races were helped by me attending this training, as well as developing a county party campaign strategy.           

Spend the two days and money, it is well worth it. The trainers they bring in are experts in running campaigns, and even if you don't win, you can show your opponents and your locale that you know what you are doing, and give them a real run for their money!               

 

Thomas Janowski           

Rochester, NY Training - May 2008          

I helped with Obama's campaign as well as local Congressional and state senate races.  I've now attended the DFA Training Academy 3 times and it feels like it is becoming an annual event to refresh my knowledge and revive my spirit. And sometimes it takes repeated trainings for things to really sink in. That was the case this year. I have never liked door-to-door canvassing, but when I went to Pennsylvania for Obama last month, all of a sudden I remembered everything I learned during at the training academy. I was more inspired and more ready than ever to knock on doors. My knowledge made this trip to PA a wonderful experience. I was able to have wonderful conversations with people. I made the conversations very personal--both for me and the people at the door. I felt very welcome and realized that the people at the door were looking to me for information and advice. I gave them both and explained my very personal reasons for supporting Obama. After 5 years of what seemed like constant campaigning and several visits to the DFA Training Academy, I finally felt extremely confident in my ability to persuade people when I spoke to them. I credit the Training Academy for this confidence and experience.           

Make the Training Academy an annual event!

 

Jim McMurray                       

West Long Branch, NJ Training - April 2008          

I participated in the state neighborhood leader program, I used voter files and question list to contact neighbors in my district and build community. I worked in the campaign offices, doing phone bank work using the voter file data. As the Vice Chairman of the Democratic committee for my town I organized challengers in district polls, coordinated gotv data gathering and collection on Election Day. The training that I received at the DFA seminar gave me an understanding of campaign organization and tactics, which was very helpful both in what was needed to be done, and how to organize and go about doing it.           

DFA training is the most important thing that I have done in my years of political activity. I was amazed at how much there was to learn and how well I was trained. After the course, I understood so much more and was able to take this knowledge into the campaign and use it to very good effect!

 

John McClelland for Texas State House District 64  

Houston, TX Training - March 2007                     

DFA gave me the basic tools needed to be a candidate and run an effective campaign. I have been a campaign manager in the past, and more recently the candidate. I may have lost my general election this November, but for an openly LGBT Democrat to receive 40% of the vote in one of the more conservative districts in Texas, is an accomplishment. I was also one of only 3 TX House candidates endorsed by DFA, and I greatly appreciate that.           

DFA training is probably the best training one can receive for such a small price in the nation. I encourage anyone who is even remotely thinking about helping a campaign, or running for office, to take his or her courses.

 

Doris Lin

West Long Branch, NJ - April 2008        

I was a candidate for Township Committee, but did not win this year. I think the most important thing I got out of the training was the confidence to run our campaign. Before the training, I had volunteered for several political campaigns but knew nothing about targeting certain districts or how to frame our message.           

Go and learn. Even if you're just volunteering for a much larger campaign, it will give you some insight into the strategies behind what you are doing, and it's a fantastic networking opportunity.

 

Kathleen Sullivan

Charleston, SC Training - April 2008       

I volunteered for the Barack Obama and Linda Ketner for Congress Campaigns.  There is nothing we can't do if we have the right tools. Organization is essential, because passion is chaotic by nature. If you care about a cause or a candidate and are personally invested in the victory, it is difficult to remain focused. This skill set I accumulated with DFA helped me to stay organized not just on the two campaigns, but also in my schoolwork as I finish college. I was able to use these skills in the five states that I traveled to during the Obama campaign, and did a bit of "damage control" for some of the local office I visited, trying to reorganized everything before GOTV so that those last days went as smoothly as possible during the primary season and then during the general election. In the offices that I went to who had a DFA training alumni already working there, we were on the same page before I even unpacked my laptop. I have kept in contact with many of the people that I met at the DFA class, and we are going to continue exchanging ideas and alerting each other to the causes that we are passionate about to all stay very involved in the community. The organizational skills and the network of like-minded people that I have found can all be attributed to the DFA Training, without which I could not have accomplished so much.           

November 4th was the day we won the chance to make change, and if we fought this hard to win the chance, we have to fight harder to make the change!

 

Susan Clary

Tampa, TL Training - June 2007                         

I served as political director/communication director for Alan Grayson for US Congress, District 8 in Central Florida. We defeated 4 opponents in the primary and a four-term Republican in the general election. We turned the district (which includes 4 counties and is 160 miles long) from an R district to a D district by registering more voters than any campaign.           

Be choosy when picking whom you will work or volunteer for - although experience is good, you want it to be the right experience. The best races are local. Yes, it is fun to volunteer or work for a presidential campaign, but I can't stress enough that all politics is local and down ballot candidates NEED good people. As a "Dean Dozen" and two term Commissioner on the Orange Soil & Water Conservation District myself (my second term ends in 2010), I am here to tell you that good experience comes from diversifying your skills and working in a passionate race. Keep your ears open and be grateful from what you can learn and teach others. As far as training, I would attend any and all trainings when the opportunity arises, even if you have heard it before. I have been to DFA Training, Democratic GAIN Training, and Emily’s List Training. You can't learn enough and every campaign is different. Be a sponge.

 

Ron Marlett for Oklahoma House District 84          

Norman, OK Training - March 2008

The training I received was invaluable. No one ever told me what an uphill battle it would be to try to win an election in 7 months. But nevertheless, I did better than anyone expected me to. I did 8% better than the previous Democrat to run and 5% better than the state average in a brutal Republican district. I got 5271 votes. I made one costly mistake that won't be repeated if I should ever run again. Overall, it was a life changing experience and one that commits me to remaining engaged with the Democratic Party after decades of inactivity. Thank you Matt and all the great DFA people who make this happen. 

You are engaged in the most honorable of pursuits in America, running for office or supporting someone who is. You are true patriots at a challenging time for democracy in America. What you begin with your training will hopefully follow you the rest of your lives. Good luck

 

 

Elesha Gayman, IA State Representative:

I had an uphill race in a part of Iowa that even the state Party didn't target. I sought training with a couple different groups, but it was the DFA Training Academy that really taught me the nuts and bolts of running a serious campaign. The DFA training taught my campaign how to analyze voter data, how to establish real-world goals and benchmarks, and how to talk to voters, volunteers, and the media. Campaigning is a skill, and it's something that every progressive activist should know. I'm certain we wouldn't have been able to win without the support and training of DFA.

 

Dan and Robbi Boone           

Austin, TX Training - April 2007 & DFA Night School        

I am the President of the Democrats of Comal County and Campaign Manager to Daniel Boone for Texas House District 73 Our groups worked for and donated significantly to all four of our Comal County Democratic Candidates.           

By working together our DOCC (Democrats of Comal County) group was able to nurture a "red" county, with little expertise and people power into a center of first rate Democratic activism. We ran four Democrats for seats locally (in itself a first for many years) and in HD 73 ran a Democrat for the Texas House (again, a first in years). While only electing one Democrat here, we have reclaimed an active existence here in our county. Our DOCC group rose from about a dozen people at rented meeting halls to a membership list topping 400 and a visible office of our own (with a year's lease). In 2006 we lacked people so that holding the primary election was a challenge. Now, in 2008 we impacted county election results through phone banking, block walking, GOTV, Rock the Vote (for the county high school students) with great promotional impact. By hosting fundraisers, (raising our yearly totals from about $3,000 to more than $60,000) joining Chambers of Commerce and promoting Democrats, we were able to get more votes for Daniel Boone, for HD73, than both Obama and Noriega received in Comal County. Victories sometimes come in small steps. We were winners and are not defeated. We are already planning for 2010.           

It may seem slow, but Democrats are again gaining ground and converts here in Texas. Educating people and running candidates for every slot are essential keys. Writing articles for newspapers and letters to the editors are also important components of this. People have to become educated to the real issues and realize that we all share a love of community, district and state. Reasonable and visible and consistent action is essential so that we are viewed as part of the establishment, not a fringe group of outsiders. We all love our country, and have showed that to all. Let's keep up the good work! and . . .attend training as it is invaluable. Arshad Hasan has done a suburb job for us all.

 

Ron Stradt for State's Attorney (Sangamon County Illinois)   

Springfield, IL Training - September 2007                     

I learned from DFA that the life span of campaign lit is the seconds it takes to go from the front door to the nearest trashcan. A pre-packaged bag of several pieces of lit, makes throwing it all away very easy -- I don't even have to take it out of the bag; moreover, if one piece of lit has a life span of seconds, the time spent on several pieces is milliseconds. A successful campaign starts with a precinct committeeman who is trusted, well-liked, familiar face in the neighborhood. And remember, as this election has taught us, a well-liked candidate at the top is no substitute for working for what you want. 

                             

Ellie Rosen

Atlanta, GA Training - September 2007                      

I worked for the Campaign For Change for Obama, in Cobb County, Georgia. My husband and I were the center of an organizational snowflake. We enlisted volunteers, trained them using DFA & Obama techniques, got them canvassing and phone calling out of our house. We transferred our volunteers over to the Cobb City office when that was set up, and used our computer skills to enter data.           

DFA training gave me the confidence to go in to any campaign office and do whatever is needed, from managing the office to GOTV to shredding paper & making coffee. Use the training to build confidence, build skills, and to push yourself to be involved.

                             

Lori Taylor

Salt Lake City, UT Training - May 2007 & DFA Night School           

I helped on State Senate campaign, district 10 also, various party positions, for which I used Democracy of Colorado's Think Precinct.  I've been taking DFA Night School classes since 2006. I first applied what I was learning as a volunteer during the 2006 campaigns. As with so many things, once we figure out what we're doing, the campaign is usually over. I wanted to know what I was doing so I could be an asset to local campaigns. During this past year, I knew what to do, but I think the flow of the campaign still threatened to sweep me away. Many times during the campaign, I thought about what we learned during our local in-person training. I looked at my handbook. I referred back to my slide shows. And, I helped keep the candidate more on track that he would otherwise have been. My DFA training was an anchor in turbulent seas. Then, when we lost 45 - 49% in a district that is only 6.5% Democrat (yes, that is what I wrote), I tried to assure myself that this was a win. I remember distinctly hearing Arshad tell us that a double-digit gain is still a win even when we lose. I know that what we are doing is building infrastructure, and we aren't done yet.

The theory and structure from the classes together with the experience of campaigns has put me in a much better position to build a genuine progressive movement even in a red, red state. As a matter of fact, Utah is no longer the reddest state, if we believe 2008 numbers. I credit DFA, the DNC 50-state strategy, and other outreach to train state volunteers with that transformation. Thank you.           

                         

Brook Boswell

Dallas, TX Training - March 2008            

I started out volunteering with Edwards and went with Obama in the spring. The DFA Training has made a tremendous impact on my life and I am certainly glad to take advantage of the opportunity. As a result of the training in Dallas last February or so I felt I now had some tools and knowledge of how to become involved locally. It was nice to meet others that are progressive in their thinking and sick of the conservative ways. I live in Tomball, TX, which is in the Greater Northwest Houston Area, and is heavily RED. It was nice to be a beacon of light to those who were seeing the light about the conservative way of doing things and offer a choice. I proudly put an Obama Sticker on the front door of my business and participated in Texas voter registration. I went to a few Obama Gatherings, hosted a Move-On Debate Party and participated in Precinct Chair training put on by DFA Houston later in the year. I was asked to become my areas Precinct Chair as a result of being in touch with another DFA member through the web site. I also started a local Yahoo Group and have promoted DFA to others. I am very thankful and feel the training in Dallas started my journey.           

One person can make a difference but training helps. Never stop learning!

 

Patricia Goodman

Columbia, SC Training - March 2007

As President of a small Democratic Club located in a gated community, in a very Republican area, our executive committee started by identifying Democrats by sending invitations for "coffees" to people who we thought might be Democrats. We took membership from 2 79 to 468. We elected precinct leaders and assigned them to develop phone banking to build a voter file. This started right after DFA training, as what I came away with was that the most important thing we could do was to have accurate voter files. We started fund raising at the same time using DFA suggestions that the best fund raising costs you nothing and can make dollars. We got people to volunteer by writing comedy skits about phone banking at a meeting. About 60 people signed up at that meeting and got us going. We had social events that always made some money, garage sales and finally our last fundraiser was a Victory Cruise. We had several members write letters to the editor regularly. On Election Day We had close to 200 people volunteering. When I came home from DFA training my head was bursting with ideas. I lead "leadership seminars" with precinct capts, who previously had no role in our organization and shared that which I learned. We did voter registration in areas the Obama campaign asked us to outside of our gated community, all over our county. We knew not to do it in our very Republican area as DFA taught me. When the Obama team asked us to go into the adjacent county we did that as well. We sent out teams canvassing outside our gated community into the local area. Members went to every county event with signs for our candidates, registration forms etc. We had a team sitting in front of the town's movie theater almost all the time in the afternoon and evenings. We used the lists of people who voted in the Democratic Primary to do outreach to get more members and workers. The local wisdom was that there were no Democrats in the local community outside our gates. We knew that Democrats were invisible in that area. We decided we needed visibility there so last year we entered the local Christmas parade with a donkey. Yes we found Democrats there and we have been asked to help them develop a club. We made sure that all of our workers had fun while they worked. Our preferred candidate for Congress did not win the primary and our candidate for State Senate did not win, but he got over 45% of the vote, which is unheard of for a Democrat in our area. This was his first run and we are starting to plan his next run now. Without the DFA training we would not have known where to start and where to place our priorities, how to develop strategies and how to carry it out. Thank you DFA trainers.           

If you live in an overwhelming Red State and Community, know that "you can do it". You can't be more Red then we are in SC. If like us, your area is very Republican, know there are "closet" Democrats who won't come out until you have enough Democrats in the club so that they feel safe to say they are Democrats. Also do whatever you can to gain visibility and get the group to be known as a "fun" group. That will encourage people out of the closet into active workers. Once you have some people DFA helps you focus on setting your goals and the strategy to get there. Start with DFA training. You will be overwhelmed but energized and you have to pass that on to others. Set goals for the year and start out as early as possible. We are glad we had two years to organize, build membership, fundraise. This training is a must for anyone who is serious about electing Democrats.

 

Christopher Leitner for Point Pleasant Borough Council

West Long Branch, NJ Training - April 2008

It took a lot of hard work, but using the tools the DFA training taught us, we won!           

Listen hard and apply the lessons of the training academy. Develop your message, stay on message, raise your money and get out there and canvass!

 

Sandra Thompson

Orlando, FL Training - May 2008

I worked as a phone banker for the Obama campaign. I enjoyed the training, and benefited mainly by meeting other activists and enjoying their companionship and support. I've been working campaigns since 1948, so, to be quite honest, there was little I could learn because it's still about talking with and meeting with as many people as possible and those things don't change much. How we find those people is a matter of our changing and improving technology, which is changing constantly and we need to keep apprised of it. I loved the training.           

I'm sure a lot of us Deaniacs worked in many campaigns this year and were valuable to our candidates. The training is excellent and meeting our fellow activists is rewarding and supportive.

 

Glenn Lewis

Albany, NY Training - June 2007 & DFA Night School           

I was the Director of Operations for the Darius Shahinfar for Congress campaign, NY-21.  For someone with little formal experience in actual campaigning, the DFA training is a good first exposure to what will (or should) unfold during the course of a campaign. The political vets that run the classes are chock full of relevant information. The class and chapter devoted to the field plan were especially useful. You can use this for any level of campaign, be it for school board, city council or House of Representatives.           

Helping someone compete for elected office or running yourself is the natural next step for anyone that attends a DFA Training session. What you learn in the classroom is a good beginning exposure to the field, however, campaigning is something you really need to go out and do. I'd say it is analogous to taking communication studies courses in college and looking forward to volunteering at the campus radio station one day. You can learn some of the history and procedures of radio broadcasting in class, but until you put that to use, you only have a limited knowledge of the bigger picture.

 

Gunnar Johnson

Albany & Rochester, NY Trainings & DFA Night School          

I helped elect Eric Massa to Congress in upstate NY.  One of the many things I learned from the training is the importance of volunteers. They were the boots on the ground for Eric's victory. We even had people from Toronto Canada help with phone banking and canvassing.           

 

Frank Anderson

Fairfax, VA Training - May 2007

I used the skills I learned at the DFA training to set up the College Democrats group at Northern Virginia Community College. We developed a membership of over 200, and coordinated volunteers to register over 500 voters on campus. We ran a table for the Obama campaign, and implemented a successful Get Out The Vote strategy that contributed to Obama's historic victory in Virginia!           

Every "political junkie" can benefit from this class. Put your passion to work! Students, take advantage of this great opportunity!

 

Chip Robinson

West Long Branch, NJ Training - April 2008    

I am the executive director of the Morris County NJ Democrats and also one of the co-leaders of the DFA in Morris County.  This year was an exciting year! We helped Barack Obama carry 9 towns in my county (John Kerry carried only 4) While we didn’t have the success locally that we would have hoped, we continue to build and get stronger every year           

Keep fighting for what you believe in! We can only get change if we continue to fight for it! Having Obama in the white house along isn't enough: We need to keep pushing for progressive change!

                            

Steve Sherman

Tampa, FL Training - June 2007         

We were able to form and train our own Barack Obama support team known as the Lee County O-Train Volunteers with over 300 members. We had done voter registration and money raising events long before the Campaign for Change Team arrived in Lee County. When the formal campaign team arrived we turned over our email addresses and list of trained volunteers ready to become part of their program           

Our chosen form of government requires that citizens remain involved in the political process for it to function properly. The trainings offered by DFA help prepare you for the process and train you to be effective,

 

 

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