Education and Training

Campaign Trainings for Women

The Anne Anstine Series
The Anne Anstine 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 Series seeks to expand the number of Pennsylvania Republican women in government and politics, providing training for those who wish to assume decision-making positions through appointment and/or election at the local, state, and national levels.

For more information:
Bernadette S. Comfort, Executive Director
The Anne Anstine Series
43 S. Ninth Street
Indiana, PA 15701
comfortb@ptd.net
(724) 463-5110

Ready to Run™ (Pennsylvania)
Sponsored by the Pennsylvania Center for Women and Politics at Chatham University
Ready to Run™ Pennsylvania provides bi-partisan political training to encourage women to run for government leadership positions. The day-long program targets women considering or recently deciding to run for political office, providing training and mentoring by campaign professionals, political women, and officeholders. Ready to Run™ Pennsylvania is part of the Ready to Run™ National Training Network of the Center for American Women and Politics (CAWP) at Rutgers University (NJ).

For more information:
Dana Brown, Executive Director
Pennsylvania Center for Women and Politics
Chatham University
Woodland Road
Pittsburgh, PA 15232
dbrown@chatham.edu
(412) 365-2725

Ready to Run™ Northeastern Pennsylvania
Sponsored by the University of Scranton
Ready to Run™ Northeastern Pennsylvania is a non-partisan program for women who want to run for office, seek higher office, work on a campaign, get appointed to office, or learn more about the political system. Ready to Run™ Northeastern Pennsylvania is part of the Ready to Run™ National Training Network of the Center for American Women and Politics (CAWP) at Rutgers University (NJ).

For more information:
Jean Wahl Harris, Chair
Department of Political Science
University of Scranton
412 O'Hara Hall, Jefferson Avenue
Scranton, PA 18510
jean.harris@scranton.edu
(570) 941-7431

Winning Edge Campaign School
Sponsored by the Pennsylvania Women's Campaign Fund
PWCF Campaign Training provides the Winning Edge - a unique training opportunity for women interested in running for office and for those who want to run political campaigns. The objective of the PWCF campaign training program is to provide the skills necessary for participants to effectively introduce themselves into the political arena and run successful campaigns as candidates or campaign staff. Campaign experts guide PWCF participants through the process of creating and implementing a winning strategy. The typical training format includes a 2½ day intensive program that covers topics including, but not limited to:

• creating an effective campaign message
• managing effective communications
• addressing criticism
• planning a get-out-the-vote effort
• seeking party endorsements
• outreach efforts and
• fundraising.

Participants get first-hand experience as they develop the beginnings of an actual campaign plan that would be implemented by a fictitious candidate. The program is highly interactive and applied, and challenges participants with real-world scenarios they will face on the campaign trail. The program is ideal for candidates or staff considering waging a campaign within one to three years after the training.

For more information:
Pennsylvania Women's Campaign Fund
PO Box 621
Lewisburg, PA 17837
info@pwcf.com
(866) 956-9254

Campaign Trainings (women and men)

Campaign Training
Sponsored by the Pennsylvania Democratic Party
The Pennsylvania Democratic Party runs several trainings throughout the year on a variety of topics related to campaigning, including finances, media, and grassroots organization. Any interested Pennsylvania Democrat should contact the Party's political director for information and schedules.

For more information:
Pennsylvania Democratic Party
300 N. 2nd Street
8th Floor
Harrisburg, PA 17101
info@padems.com
(717) 920-8470

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 Pennsylvania.

For more information:
Progressive Majority
1420 Walnut Street
Suite 1404
Philadelphia, PA 19102
(215) 545-4455

Running for Public Office
Sponsored by the Coro Center for Civic Leadership - Pittsburgh
Running for Public Office is an nonpartisan experiential learning program of the Coro Center for Civic Leadership in Pittsburgh. Twenty participants attend 42 hours of seminar, conducted in twelve consecutive Thursday evening sessions, that focus on strengthening citizen participation in public elections and increasing the diversity and level of preparation of candidates running for office in Greater Pittsburgh. The course is open to prospective candidates now contemplating running for office and their staffs.

For more information:
Misti McKeehen
Director of Operations & Outreach
Coro Center for Civic Leadership
33 Terminal Way, Suite 429A
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
mmckeehen@coropittsburgh.org
cccl@coropittsburgh.org

Leadership Training Programs For Women

NEW Leadership™ Pennsylvania
Sponsored by the Pennsylvania Center for Women and Politics at Chatham University
NEW Leadership™ Pennsylvania is an intensive, week-long, residential leadership and public policy institute designed to educate and empower young women for future political participation and leadership. The program addresses the under-representation of women in the political arena by focusing on the role of women in politics and policy making in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. NEW Leadership™ Pennsylvania is part of the NEW Leadership™ Development Network of the Center for American Women and Politics (CAWP) at Rutgers University (NJ).

For more information:
Dana Brown, Executive Director
Pennsylvania Center for Women and Politics
Chatham University
Woodland Road
Pittsburgh, PA 15232
dbrown@chatham.edu
(412) 365-2725

Women in Leadership Program
Sponsored by the Coro Center for Civic Leadership - Pittsburgh
The Women in Leadership (WIL) program offers women in southwestern Pennsylvania an opportunity to enhance personal leadership potential within a network of people dedicated to creating positive change for women in the region. Women in Leadership is a twelve-week, part-time, evening training program designed for high-achieving women with demonstrated leadership experience in the private, public, or non-profit sectors. Program curriculum includes site visits to regional organizations, interviews with local leaders, group projects, and the development of a personal strategic plan for leadership advancement. Women can apply or be nominated to participate in the program.

For more information:
Misti McKeehen
Director of Operations & Outreach
Coro Center for Civic Leadership
33 Terminal Way, Suite 429A
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
mmckeehen@coropittsburgh.org
cccl@coropittsburgh.org

Leadership Training Programs (women and men)

Center for Progressive Leadership - Pennsylvania
The Center for Progressive Leadership offers two types of trainings in locations throughout the country. The State Political Leaders Fellowship recruits, trains, mentors, and connects promising political leaders and future candidates in target states like Pennsylvania. The Fellowship consists of nine months of intensive political training, coaching, mentorship, and networking events to provide 40-60 fellows with the skills, resources, knowledge, and relationships needed to become effective future candidates, organizational leaders, and activists in their communities. CPL also offers Springboard Trainings to provide activists, political staff, and future candidates with the skills and resources needed to build long-term political power in their region. These one-time trainings also serve as pre-trainings for the Fellowship programs.

For more information:
Haile Johnston
Center for Progressive Leadership - Pennsylvania
The Philadelphia Building
1315 Walnut Street, Suite 1325
Philadelphia, PA 19107
pennsylvania@progressleaders.org
(215) 923-5165

Leadership Philadelphia
Sponsored by the Leadership Institute
The Core Program consists of eleven day-long seminar sessions from September through June. Meetings generally consist of a morning listening to local leaders sharing the inside story on current issues, followed by an afternoon of leadership or trustee skills development. Participants receive individual skills development plans. Each meeting and speaker is evaluated to ensure that LEADERSHIP is meeting the group's needs. Outdoor team-building experiences, board observations and police ride-alongs enrich the seminar experience.

For more information:
Leadership Philadelphia
123 South Broad Street
Suite 2044
Philadelphia, PA 19109
news@leadershipphiladelphia.org
(215) 893-9999

Leadership Pittsburgh
Leadership Pittsburgh (LP) is a nine-month program for established senior leaders from public and private sectors to develop their skills and knowledge to lead within the community. From September through June, 50 selected participants attend day-long monthly seminars that introduce members to issues and challenges facing the community, while offering tools and experiences for individual and group leadership development.

For more information:
Leadership Pittsburgh
535 Smithfield Street
Suite 1125
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
info@lpinc.org
(412) 392-4505

New Leaders Council Philadelphia
New Leaders Council (NLC) was formed in 2005 to train and support the next generation of progressive political entrepreneurs—young professionals in their twenties and thirties who are leading industries, setting trends, and building institutions that support robust civic and political life in a global America. NLC accomplishes this mission primarily through the NLC Institute - a political entrepreneurship training program held 10 days over a five-month period that builds local teams of young professionals in 19 cities across the nation. NLC Fellows learn entrepreneurship, leadership, and political management skills from over volunteer faculty from relevant industries. Fellows are also paired with career mentors, join a national alumni network, and agree to fundraise to support the next class of Fellows.

For more information:
Evan Berger
eberger@newleaderscouncil.org

Pennsylvania Rural Leadership Program
Established in 1985, the Pennsylvania Rural Leadership (RULE) Program is a partnership between the public and private sectors with funds from individual participants, sponsoring organizations, private and public contributors, the Pennsylvania State Legislature, the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, and the Pennsylvania State University. The purpose of RULE is to encourage and foster the development of community leaders from all segments of Pennsylvania by providing Fellows a year-long program of study emphasizing education on community problems and issues, training in leadership skills and decision-making, and understanding of social organizations and government.

For more information:
Pennsylvania Rural Leadership Program
College of Agricultural Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University
6 Armsby Building
University Park, PA 16802
rule1@psu.edu
(814) 863-4679

Organizations Committed to Political Parity

Pennsylvania Center for Women and Politics at Chatham University
The Pennsylvania Center for Women and Politics at Chatham University is a non-partisan center devoted to fostering women's public leadership through education, empowerment, and action. The first to focus on women's political involvement in Pennsylvania, the Center integrates disciplinary knowledge, civic education, and capacity building while examining the intersection of women and public policy. The Center conducts candidate and advocacy trainings, offers educational programs in applied politics, and provides timely analysis on women's issues. The Center is also home to the University's membership in Project Pericles - a select group of liberal arts colleges and universities that have made institutional commitments to promoting participatory citizenship and social responsibility.

For more information:
Dana Brown, Executive Director
Pennsylvania Center for Women and Politics
Chatham University
Woodland Road
Pittsburgh, PA 15232
dbrown@chatham.edu
(412) 365-2725

Pennsylvania Federation of Democratic Women
The National Federation of Democratic Women (NFDW) supports the inclusion of women’s voices in the Democratic Party. With 32 chapters nationwide, the NFDW promotes Democratic Party goals and candidates and works to unite women party members behind them. NFDW chapters recognize potential women candidates and encourage their candidacies for office.   Members attend meetings, organize educational and political events, volunteer for campaigns, and support candidates for office.

For more information:
Pennsylvania Federation of Democratic Women
Pfdw1@aol.com

Pennsylvania 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:
Pennsylvania Federation of Republican Women
806 North Second Street
Harrisburg, PA 17102
pfrw@comcast.net
(570) 297-1394

Pennsylvania 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:
Joanne Tosti-Vasey, President
Pennsylvania NOW
P.O. Box 68
Bellefonte, PA 16823
panow@panow.org
(814) 280-8571

Women’s Political Action Committees (PACs)

Pennsylvania Women's Campaign Fund
The Pennsylvania Women's Campaign Fund is a PAC, the only organization in the state devoted solely to supporting progressive women candidates for election to the General Assembly. PWCF supports progressive women candidates regardless of party affiliation.

For more information:
Elizabeth Zampogna, President
Pennsylvania Women's Campaign Fund
P.O. Box 621
Lewisburg, PA 17837
info@pwcf.com
(866) 956-9254