Leadership Austin: Academy Agenda

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It’s a can’t miss if you are truly serious about civic leadership and being a connected community partner.
2007 Leadership Austin Essential Class Alumni

I always thought you needed a long track record professionally to make a difference. I now know all of us have much to offer.
2007 Leadership Austin Essential Class Alumni

I’m excited and engaged and ready to have a say about issues in my community.
2007 Leadership Austin Essential Class Alumni

Leadership Austin provides a unique and important role in educating and connecting the community.
Mark Williams, President, AISD Board of Trustees

Thanks to the Essential Class, I’m able to leverage resources to keep students learning at their highest potential.
Suki Steinhauser, Executive Director, Communities In Schools

Leadership Austin motivated me to put my skills to work in community service.
Gena VanOsselaer, Executive Director, Austin Children's Shelter

Leadership Austin should be required for every Central Texas citizen!
Julie Shannan, Deputy Director, Girlstart

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Program Agenda & Objectives

Session I: Public Service - Testing the Waters
Monday, November 10, 5:30 - 9:00 pm

Explore the requirements for and implications of running for office for the candidate and his or her family.
Assess the candidate's readiness to run for elected office.
Consider opportunities to enhance the candidate's knowledge, connections, and visibility in the months/years prior to launching a formal campaign.
Understand the elements of a campaign plan.
Understand a campaign timeline, and strategies for sticking with a formal campaign plan.

Session II: On the Campaign Trail (Part I) - Money and Message
Monday, November 17, 5:30 - 9:00 pm

Gain an understanding of strategies for raising cash and non-cash resources.
Explore strategies for defining and developing a campaign message, including effective and affordable polling.
Consider the role of negative campaigning in a successful campaign and strategies for planning, using, and defending against negative campaigning.

Session III: On the Campaign Trail (Part II) - Message, Media, and Serving
Monday, November 24, 5:30 - 9:00 pm

Consider options for getting the message to voters - web-based, grassroots, direct mail, and paid and earned media - and strategies for effectively employing each.
Gain insights into the process of meeting with and soliciting endorsements from the editorial board.
Understand the importance of team leadership.
Understand the importance of finishing strongly in the last days of the campaign and strategies for getting out the vote.
Consider principles of public service that enable and elected official to be effective in serving the best interests of his or her constituents and the greater public good.

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Program Agenda & Objectives