Diversity Initiative

Welcome and Opening Keynote Lunch
 
Senator Nia H. Gill, New Jersey Legislature

Diversity Initiative Programs
Elección Latina, Run Sister Run, Rising Stars

1:45 - 2:15 pm  Participant Introductions

2:15 - 4:00 pm  Roundtables

4:00 - 4:15 pm  Break

4:15 - 6:00 pm

Welcome and Plenary Session: 

Digital Strategies for Candidates, Campaigns, and Advocates

Digital outreach is a key aspect of today's political and advocacy campaigns. Online tools including blogs, social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and other online organizing and communications resources are important for getting campaign messages out to a broad audience of potential voters or stakeholders. This session will provide an overview of best practices and offer practical tips on how to get started or enhance your online presence. 

Presenter

Tara Dowdell, Tara Dowdell Group

Plenary: What Women Candidates Need to Know

Presenter

Cate Gormley, Senior Analyst, Lake Research Partners

Keynote: Why Not You? Why Not Now?

Assemblywoman Shavonda E. Sumter, Majority Conference Leader, New Jersey Legislature

Track 1: I’m Ready to Run, Now What?

Track 2: I’m Not Ready to Run Yet, But...

10:00 am - Noon

Track 1: Launching Your Campaign
This session provides an overview of the key elements of a campaign, including assessing and establishing oneself as a candidate, developing a campaign plan, structuring a campaign organization, and voter contact.

Presenter

Michael DuHaime, Partner, Mercury

Track 2:  Finding Your Political Voice and Influence

This session, designed for those who are not ready to run but want to have some impact on important issues, offers an overview of the "nuts and bolts" of government and political parties in the state. Topics covered will include positioning oneself for appointment to a public board or commission and getting active in a political party.

Moderator

Ingrid Reed, Senior Fellow, New Jersey Future

Panelists

Azra Baig, Member, South Brunswick Board of Education

Lizette Delgado- Polanco, Vice Chair, New Jersey Democratic State Committee

Judith Lieberman, Senior Counsel to the Appointment’s Office, Office of the Governor 

Margaret Nordstrom, Executive Director, New Jersey Highlands Council

Councilwoman Rebecca Williams, City of Plainfield

Noon - 2:15 pm 
 

Plenary Session: Conquering the Camera – An Interactive Media Training

This interactive media training workshop will include tips for successful interviews on tough topics, how to look poised and professional on camera, staying on message, and public speaking techniques. Selected participants will take part in mock interviews and on-camera practice sessions.

Presenter

Christine Jahnke, Founder, Positive Communications

2:15 - 2:30 pm

Break 

2:30 - 3:45 pm

Track 1: Navigating New Jersey’s Political Parties As a Potential Candidate
The session will highlight the power dynamics of party organizations, building relationships with party operatives and gaining the party’s support, and will address how to respond when the party organization is not supportive.

Moderator

Jean Sinzdak, Associate Director, Center for American Women and Politics

Panelist

Christine Hanlon, Monmouth County Clerk

Arlene Quiñones-Perez, Chair, Hunterdon County Democratic Committee

Councilwoman Verlina Reynolds-Jackson, City of Trenton and Chair, Mercer County Democratic Committee

Candace L. Straight, Former Co-Chair, New Jersey Republican State Committee

Senator Loretta Weinberg, Majority Leader, New Jersey Senate 

2:30 - 3:45 pm

Track 2: Legislative Advocacy

This session is designed for those who are not ready to run but want to have an impact on important issues. Legislative advocacy is working with individual lawmakers and lawmaking bodies to gain support for your cause or initiative. Learn how to organize a legislative advocacy campaign, including gathering allies, creating a campaign structure, building a communication network, and cultivating media relationships.

Presenters

Jeanette Hoffman, President, Marathon Public Affairs

Jeannine LaRue, Senior Vice President, Kaufman Zita Group

3:45 - 4:00 pm

4:00 - 5:30 pm

Plenary: Fundraising for Success
Fundraising is one of the most crucial aspects of a campaign. This interactive workshop covers key components of campaign fundraising, including special emphasis on understanding why people give and the in-person “ask.” The session will also address developing a strategy for your campaign, building a donor list, recruiting and motivating a finance committee, and special events.

Presenter

Nancy Bocskor, President, The Nancy Bocskor Company