Education and Training

Campaign Trainings for Women

Frontrunners: Women with political ambition
Sponsored by UMN Center on Women and Public Policy
Front Runners is a network of women interested in making change through a political life. Women meet monthly for networking, inspiration, confidence building, and peer support. Candidates, campaign managers, elected officials, and others will help attendees think through and act on the elements of a short- or long-term plan leading to elected office.

For more information:
Sue Finnegan
Principal Administrative Assistant
Center on Women and Public Policy
finne006@umn.edu
(612) 625-6082
 
The Minnesota Series
Founded in October 2007, the Minnesota Excellence Series is an expansion program of the Richard C. Lugar Excellence in Public Service Series, founded in 1989 to encourage, mentor and prepare selected Republican women leaders to seek new levels of involvement in government and politics. The nine-month immersion, facilitated by local, state and federal Republican leaders, takes place over five two- to three-day sessions that address:

• Republican party structure
• workings of local, state and federal government
• economic development
• managing and planning campaigns
• fundraising
• communications training and public speaking

The series culminates with a three-day summit in Washington, D.C. where participants hear from national leaders and network with participants from similar programs in other states. Each year, 8-12 women are selected to be a part of the series.

For more information:
Minnesota Excellence in Public Service Series
c/o Lisa Belak, President
1390 Skillman Avenue West
Roseville, MN  55113

mepsseries@gmail.com

VOICES of Conservative Women (VOICES) and VOICES of Conservative Women State PAC (VOICESPAC)
VOICES was formed to help train, endorse and support the next generation of women leaders and/or candidates at all levels of government who support fiscal responsibility, limited government and free market principles.  VOICES provides training to individuals looking to run for elected office or become more involved in public policy. VOICESPAC will endorse candidates for state and local races (non-judicial).

For more information:
Jennifer DeJournett, President
VOICES of Conservative Women
PO Box 2514
Maple Grove, MN 55311
info@voicesofconservativewomen.org
www.voicesofconservativewomen.org
612-460-1870

WCDC Candidate Trainings
Sponsored by the Women Candidate Development Coalition
Founded in 1986, the Women Candidate Development Coalition (WCDC) is a coalition of nine major Minnesota women's/feminist organizations committed to legal and economic rights for women and girls. WCDC's mission is to provide the education and assistance needed to motivate and empower progressive women, regardless of political party, to become actively involved in all aspects of Minnesota's politics and government, from voting to running for office. This assistance includes one-on-one and day-long campaign trainings for women candidates running for office at all levels of Minnesota government, school board through Congress.

For more information:
Shirley Nelson
Women Candidate Development Coalition
550 Rice Street
St. Paul, MN 55103
wocandevcoal@yahoo.com
(612) 724-6348

Campaign Trainings (women and men)

American Majority
Founded in 2008, American Majority is a national non-profit, nonpartisan training institute with national headquarters in Purcellville, VA and state offices in Arkansas, Kansas, Minnesota, Oklahoma and Texas. American Majority programs bring the expertise and knowledge base of national politicos, campaign strategists, communication consultants, and seasoned organizers directly into local communities with four tracks of training: Candidate Training, Activist Training, Campus Majority, and the Fellowship Program. Each track offers a number of unique courses to prepare participants to run for office or work for campaigns or in politics. The calendar of scheduled trainings is available on the American Majority website.

For more information:
American Majority
tom@americanmajority.org
(651) 261-0954

Campaign Trainings
Sponsored by the Minnesota Republican Party
The Minnesota Republican Party holds periodic candidate trainings that are posted on the MN GOP website as scheduled, in addition to other trainings for candidates and campaigns. Individuals interested in running or learning more about the process can contact any member of the MN GOP's candidate search committee.

For more information:
Minnesota Republican Party
525 Park Street
Suite 250
St. Paul, MN 55103
(651) 222-0022

Progressive Majority Candidate Recruitment and Development Program
Sponsored by Progressive Majority
Launched in 2004, Progressive Majority's Candidate Recruitment and Development Program works to recruit progressive leaders to public service by providing political campaign support and pragmatic skills needed in today's political environment. Candidates for state and local offices who are identified, recruited, and supported by Progressive Majority receive comprehensive and substantive support,  both in small groups and one-on-one. Persons interested in running for political office or applying to become a part of the Candidate Recruitment and Development Program should contact Progressive Majority to inquire about their efforts in battleground states like Minnesota.

For more information:
Progressive Majority
1825 K Street NW, Suite 450
Washington DC, 20006
(202) 408-8603

Leadership Training Programs for Women

Go Lead
Sponsored by the White House Project
Go Lead sessions, led by local experts in coalition with community partners on relevant and current issues, develop sustained leadership through skill building sessions such as public speaking, lobbying, and negotiation. Go Lead trainings are held throughout the country, with an upcoming training schedule available online.  

For more information:
Elizabeth Johnson, Midwest Regional Director
White House Project
2402 University Avenue West
Suite 600
St. Paul, MN 55114
ejohnson@thewhitehouseproject.org
(651) 556-1376

Tri-College NEW Leadership™
Sponsored by Minnesota State University, Moorhead; North Dakota State University at Fargo; Concordia College
The Tri-College NEW Leadership™ is a five-day residential program designed to provide leadership training, inspiration, and support for college women who do not already have extensive leadership experience. During the program selected students meet with women in a variety of roles in the public sphere, learn about women’s political participation, explore ideas about leadership and politics, and participate in hands-on skills building exercises. There is a particular emphasis on recruiting women from groups that have typically been underrepresented voices in the political process, such as women of color, low-income women, and women with disabilities. Tri-College NEW Leadership™ is part of the NEW Leadership™ Development Network of the Center for American Women and Politics (CAWP) at Rutgers University (NJ).

For more information:
Deborah White
Minnesota State University, Moorhead
whitede@mnstate.edu
(218) 477-2041

Leadership Training Programs (women and men)

Leadership Minnesota
Sponsored by Minnesota Chamber of Commerce
Established in 2000, Leadership Minnesota is an educational program that provides participants with a better understanding of the dynamics of Minnesota's statewide economy and business community. Thirty business leaders are selected annually to particpate in five two-day sessions where are given a comprehensive look at the national and global pressures facing specific industries and the state's broader economy, and learn about how public policy is crafted in St. Paul. The program is exclusive to the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce and its members.

For more information:
Jenny Munyer
Minnesota Chamber of Commerce
400 Robert Street North
Suite 1500
St. Paul, MN 55101
jmunyer@mnchamber.com
(651) 292-4690

Leadership St. Paul
Sponsored by the St. Paul Area Chamber of Commerce
Leadership Saint Paul (LSP) is an annual ten-month adult learning program centered on community leadership that prepares, challenges and engages emerging and existing leaders to strengthen the Saint Paul/East Metro region. Fifty participants are chosen to participate in once-monthly program days to build class members' leadership and communication skills, educate them about the challenges and issues facing the region, and explore the interrelationships of government, business, and the broader community.

For more information:
Bev Fritz, Director of Education and Foundation
St. Paul Area Chamber of Commerce
401 North Robert Street
Suite 150
Saint Paul, MN 55101
bev@saintpaulchamber.com
(651) 265-2768

Leadership Twin Cities
Sponsored by the Minneapolis Regional Chamber of Commerce
Leadership Twin Cities is a nine-month program designed to provide emerging community leaders with an in-depth understanding of the issues affecting the region. Fifty-five selected applicants meet the second Thursday of each month, from September to May, for full-day sessions focusing on regional issues and developing leadership skills and networks.

For more information:
Leadership Twin Cities
Minneapolis Regional Chamber of Commerce
81 South Ninth Street
Suite 200
Minneapolis, MN 55402
info@minneapolischamber.org
(612) 370-9100

Organizations Committed to Political Parity

Minnesota Federation of Republican Women
Through affiliate chapters in nearly every state, the National Federation of Republican Women (NFRW) promotes the principles, objectives and policies of the Republican Party; elects Republican candidates; informs the public through political education and activity; and increases the effectiveness of women in the cause of good government. In working toward these objectives, the NFRW concentrates its efforts in the areas of educating, communicating, recruiting, campaigning, fundraising, training and legislative action.

For more information:
Bea Kehr, President
Minnesota Federation of Republican Women
13586 Fischer
Hastings, MN 55033
beakehr@juno.com
MNGOPWOMEN@yahoo.com
(651) 437-2005

Minnesota NOW
Sponsored by the National Organization for Women
Founded in 1966, the National Organization for Women (NOW) is the largest organization of feminist activists in the United States whose goal is to take action to bring about equality for all women. NOW is a multi-issue, multi-strategy organization that takes a holistic approach to women's rights. The organization's official priorities are winning economic equality and securing it with an amendment to the U.S. Constitution that will guarantee equal rights for women; championing abortion rights, reproductive freedom and other women's health issues; opposing racism and fighting bigotry against lesbians and gays; and ending violence against women. NOW has over 550 chapters in all 50 states that participate in education and advocacy activities. Information on state and local chapters of NOW is available on the national NOW website and through state chapters.

For more information:
Shannon Drury, President
Minnesota NOW
550 Rice Street
#102
St. Paul, MN 55103
mnnow@mnnow.org
(651) 292-9417

Minnesota Women's Political Caucus
Sponsored by the National Women's Political Caucus
Founded in 1971, the Minnesota Women's Political Caucus is a chapter of the National Women's Political Caucus. It shares NWPC goals to increase the number of elected and appointed women in office by targeting, endorsing, contributing funds and volunteers, working to publicize women's campaigns, and encouraging members to serve on campaign committees. The screening, endorsement and funding of candidates is carried out by a separate Political Action Committee (PAC).

For more information:
Becki Smith, President
Minnesota Women's Political Caucus
550 Rice Street
Suite 101-A
St. Paul, MN 55103
women@mnwpc.org
(651) 228-0995

University of Minnesota Center on Women and Public Policy
Since 1985, the Center on Women and Public Policy (CWPP) has used gender analysis to challenge fundamental assumptions about politics, law, and economics on issues ranging from human rights to judicial selection and independence. In addition to conducting research on women and public policy, CWPP offers programs to develop women's leadership skills, political ambition, and political knowledge. In the past, CWPP has partnered with area organizations to offer campaign training programs for potential women candidates. CWPP programs are offered for young women, women legislators, and men and women interested in gender, politics, and policy issues.

For more information:
Debra Fitzpatrick
Center on Women and Public Policy
University of Minnesota
264 Humphrey Center, 301 19th Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55455
harex004@umn.edu
(612) 819-9898

Women Candidate Development Coalition
Founded in 1986, the Women Candidate Development Coalition (WCDC) is a coalition of nine major Minnesota women's/feminist organizations committed to legal and economic rights for women and girls. WCDC's mission is to provide the education and assistance needed to motivate and empower progressive women, regardless of political party, to become actively involved in all aspects of Minnesota's politics and government, from voting to running for office. This assistance includes one-on-one and day-long campaign trainings for women candidates running for office at all levels of Minnesota government, school board through Congress.

For more information:
Shirley Nelson 
Women Candidate Development Coalition
550 Rice Street
St. Paul, MN 55103
wocandevcoal@yahoo.com 
(612) 724-6348

Women’s Political Action Committees (PACs)

Minnesota Women's Political Caucus PAC
Sponsored by the National Women's Political Caucus
Founded in 1971, the Minnesota Women's Political Caucus is a chapter of the National Women's Political Caucus. It shares NWPC goals to increase the number of elected and appointed women in office by targeting, endorsing, contributing funds and volunteers, working to publicize women's campaigns, and encouraging members to serve on campaign committees. The screening, endorsement and funding of candidates is carried out by a separate Political Action Committee (PAC).

For more information:
Becki Smith, President
Minnesota Women's Political Caucus PAC
550 Rice Street
Suite 101-A
St. Paul, MN 55103
women@mnwpc.org
(651) 228-0995

VOICES of Conservative Women (VOICES) and VOICES of Conservative Women State PAC (VOICESPAC)
VOICES was formed to help train, endorse and support the next generation of women leaders and/or candidates at all levels of government who support fiscal responsibility, limited government and free market principles.  VOICES provides training to individuals looking to run for elected office or become more involved in public policy. VOICESPAC will endorse candidates for state and local races (non-judicial).

For more information:
Jennifer DeJournett, President
VOICES of Conservative Women
PO Box 2514
Maple Grove, MN 55311
info@voicesofconservativewomen.org
www.voicesofconservativewomen.org
612-460-1870

womenwinning
The mission of womenwinning is to encourage, promote and support pro-choice women's leadership in all political parties and levels of public office.

For more information:
Sarah Taylor-Nanista, Executive Director
womenwinning
2324 University Avenue West
Suite 120B
St. Paul , MN 55114
info@womenwinning.org
(651) 251-0727