PLEASE consider attending one of these conferences next year.

[tnlefty]

www.thewhitehouse.org is the website for the info., and if you'll look there is still a Go Run box down the right-hand side of the screen. I think that these conferences are just about wrapped up for this year, but, please consider contacting them or bookmarking this site and checking back to see when and where these Go Run training conferences will next year.

I couldn't attend the conference because of a conflict with my kids, but I drove to Atlanta and spent Sat. and Sun. there with a friend who flew to Atlanta from Denver to attend. I cheated and looked through the binder that she brought back to the hotel room with and I listened to her talk about what she'd done that day and the topics that were discussed.

These conferences train women to run for public office, to groom and help other women who are trying to run for office in many ways, from general support to fundraising to working on campaigns, etc.

I did attend the dinner last night and Kim Gandy, newly re-elected president of NOW, was the speaker. The important parts of her talk with us were:

Women need to:

Stop second guessing themselves when it comes to running for an office. Men don't wonder if they're actually qualified, they just run. She used DeLay and GW himself as a couple of examples of this. Passion for what you believe in and how you want your government to be can overcome hurdles.

Within your communities field and groom candidates to run for offices before they become available. First try to find progressive women, and then look to progressive men. Try to have people who can step up to run at the local, state or higher levels. (I thought of 2 potential recruits as I was driving home). Get women in your community together for coffee, teas, or whatever and get to the nitty gritty of coming up with candidates!

There is a lot of good info. being shared during these conferences. I think that next year there will be another one at the Carter Center in Atlanta. I'm going to start saving money now to attend next year. The fee this year was $100.00 which is a steal considering the experienced women who are there to train and to share what they know. The largest expenses would be traveling expenses, but if it's possible, try to attend one of these conferences if you haven't already.

I'm fired up and ready to get started in my area!!!

Go vote, go lead, go run...go girl!

[BrklynLiberal]

1. Great post. Forwarded to all the women on my email list...

[tnlefty]

2. Thanks! Forward, and forward, and then forward some more!

:dem: