Overview
At re:power, we believe that electoral politics and movement-building are deeply connected, and that our elected leaders must reflect our community leaders. Building on the legacy of Camp Wellstone, Camp re:power is an in-person training space designed specifically for BIPOC grassroots organizers, data strategists and campaign managers, with the aim of deepening and strengthening movement infrastructure and capacity.
Taking place June 13–15, Camp re:power will provide participants with the support they need to sharpen their foundational field, digital, and base building organizing skills, develop rigorous and transformative campaign plans that build state-based political power, and cultivate their emotional fortitude in preparation for the upcoming 2024 elections. Focus areas are offered based on your role in progressive organizing, each with a distinctive curriculum taught by some of the nation’s leading experts in grassroots politics and organizing.
With the 2024 presidential election on the horizon, we know that far-right and fundamentalist candidates will be on the rise, consuming our media attention and ratcheting up the anxiety of organizers who fought through and survived the presidency of Trump in 2016. Camp re:power’s ultimate goal is to reorient organizers to a long-arc approach of building power and to the critical role of relational organizing and canvassing in defending our democracy from authoritarian extremism. “365 organizing”—that is, off-cycle organizing—is the mantra of Camp re:power and we want to orient participants to understand elections as one of the many vehicles to stake a claim in building and maintaining political power for our communities.
The success of this convening space will encourage more base-building organizations and organizers to utilize elections as a relational organizing tool to find their people, organize around issues that directly impact their base, and take power back from those who seek to undermine our democracy. We expect participants to not shy away from organizing opportunities that meet our people where they are currently and organize them towards a more radical, freer future by leaning into campaign strategy through an electoral justice lens.
We will be re-convening participants for a 2-day virtual session September 13–14, where we will check back in on campaign planning, organizational development, and provide coaching and feedback so that participants have the support they need to execute their big, bold plans. We will also develop participants’ capacity to train others so that they can take what they learn back to their organizations, creating a larger ecosystem of skilled campaign organizers and political strategists for generations to come.
Who is this for?
- Organizers, Field Directors, Data Strategists, and Digital Organizers who want to build inclusive, strategic and positive movements and strategies
- Folks who have 2+ years of base building and/or progressive organizing experience
- Experienced managers with strong interpersonal and organizational communication skills
- Leaders with a commitment to racial, gender and economic equity
- Previous experience working in metrics-driven issue-based and electoral campaigns
- Individuals who believe and/or want to understand harnessing electoral power and grassroots organizing as tools to building political power and creating lasting change
- Folks who would like to hone any of the skills listed above
Ideal applicants come from all walks of life, from seasoned organizers and campaigners looking to sharpen their skills, to beginners who are passionate about organizing and want to start their learning journey. Here are some attributes shared by all our applicants:
Appetite for learning: We are interested in organizers and campaign practitioners who are eager to develop their skills further and are committed to learning and growth.
Organizing insight: You don’t need to be a professional politico, but we’re looking for applicants with experience doing organizing work on the ground. That work can be tied to grassroots, electoral, and/or issue organizing. We seek to support organizers who are currently part of a campaign effort or are seeking to build one.
Dedication to inclusive politics and intersectional solutions: At re:power, we center race, class, gender and sexuality across all our trainings – it’s part of our practice of inclusive politics. We want organizers to be open to new ideas regarding it and to the ideas and contributions from their fellow organizers who will reflect our diverse communities.
Expectations
- This is a dynamic experience and if you are applying, you should prepare to be fully present and engaged throughout.
- We will meet in-person June 13–15 and we will request proof of vaccination and a negative rapid COVID test within 24 hours of the convening from all participants.
- To maximize connection and community-building during in-person gatherings, we will not be offering a hybrid virtual option.
- On September 13 and 14, we will reconvene participants virtually to check back in on campaign plans and provide continued coaching and support.
- For the virtual sessions, we ask that participants actively engage by using the chat function, coming off mute to share verbally, and participating in breakout group discussions. If you are able, we strongly encourage participants to turn on video during virtual sessions.
Curriculum/Training Plan
Training topics for the in-person convening June 13–15 will include:
- Developing a Transformative and Winning Field Plan
- Campaign Messaging & Communications
- Strategy Development
- Strategic Ballot Measures Organizing to Defend Our Rights
- Campaign Budgeting and Fundraising
- Digital Organizing & Data Bootcamp
- Base Building and Direct Voter Contact
- Building a Volunteer Program and Ladder of Engagement
- Introduction to Digital Organizing and Finding Our People Online
- Leveraging C4s vs. C3s to Build Power
- Internal Team Management/Building Healthy Campaign Culture
