How to take the next step to getting involved in politics and community involvement, including how to run for office

1. Now What?
How to Get Involved and Do More
Than Complain on Social Media
a.k.a. changing your Facebook Profile does little to change the world

2. –Hillary Clinton
“Do all the good you can,
for all the people you can,
in all the ways you can,
as long as ever you can.”

3. No More Joking
This is Real

5. “It’s not enough to just ‘do your part’- we have
to help everyone find a way to contribute and
make a positive difference. We need to give
people the tools- and directions- to be more
active and to have their voices heard.”

8. I thought I did my part.
I need to do More.
I need to help you do more.

9. We Need YOU!

10. Seriously- we do!
• Candidates need webmasters, social media experts,
messaging people, graphic designers, and people
committed to make a difference
• We need candidates who know about the world that is
coming, not just the world as it has been.
• Go to your local council meetings. How many people are
under 60 in the audience?

12. –Seth Godin
“We each have a platform, access to tools, a
change we'd like to make in the world around
us. We each have a chance to connect, to see,
to lead.
And it's not, at least right now, fun or easy. It
might not even seem like you've got a shot, or
that the wind is too harsh.
Persist. It matters.”

13. Your Local Elections Matter
• Your day to day life is more
effected by your local officials
than it is by the people in
Harrisburg or DC.
• Become a leader- everybody
needs the help, everyone
wants fresh blood.
• Enthusiasm and persistence
are the key.

14. My Story
• Drop in volunteer
• Phone banker, Canvassing disaster!
• Poll Attorney, Watcher
• Candidate!
• Staying the Course and Going Local
• Township Supervisor

15. Figuring Out What to Do
And HOW to do it

16. Pick a Passion
• What are the issues you care most about?
• Equality?
• Education?
• Environment?
• Inefficient and antiquated Government?
• Open Space?

17. Is Your Issue Local,
State Or Federal?
Local
School Board
Township
Library Board
County Commission
Chamber of Commerce
Historical Commission
Parks & Rec Boards
Election commission
State
Commissions
Courts
State House
Senate
State Agencies
Federal
House
Senate
Courts
Federal Agencies

18. What are your Talents?
• What can you contribute? My superpower is ________
• What are you good at? What are your weaknesses?
• What do you love? What do you hate?
• Why are you different than the folks currently in charge?
How are you the same?
• What do you want to accomplish?

20. Some Jobs Require
Qualifications, Some
Don’t….• County Commissioner
• Judge
• District Attorney
• Sheriff
• Prothonotary
• Register of Wills Recorder of Deeds
• School Board/Director
• Township Surpervisor/Borough Counsel
• Auditor
• Constable (law enforcement)
• Tax Collector
• Coroner

21. Some are real FT Jobs, some
PT, Some Honorary
• Full Time- State and Federal Jobs (State rep = $87K/yr)
• County “line offices” - Prothonotary, etc. Paid FT
• Township Supervisor- $2,500 a year -depends on size of population-
statutory, PT
• Borough Counsel- No pay PT
• School District- elected, no compensation
• Planning commission- small stipend- $600 or so per yr.
• http://publicsource.org/pennsylvania-state-salaries-2015

22. Nice work if you can get it…
• http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2010/08/com
missioners_in_some_pennsylv.html
• The Elk County Commissioners approved a resolution fixing the salaries of certain county officers for the
fiscal years 2016-2019.…In 2016, the 2 percent raise will bring the salary schedule to $56,391 for county
commissioners, prothonotary and register of wills/recorder of deeds; $50,455 for the treasurer and sheriff
salaries; $29,894 for the coroner's salary and $133.50 for the auditors.

23. Find Mentors
• Talk to people who have run for office before, even if
unsuccessfully
• Become a Committee Person for the local party of your
choice
• Work the Polls-go to your County’s voter services site
• http://www.chesco.org/DocumentCenter/View/34432
How to Run for Office document

25. What is a Campaign?
• 6-9 month marketing and branding campaign
• “non-profit” fundraising on steroids
• You have to learn to take help and trust others to have
your back
• Dealing with cynical, jaded people who will offend your
sensibilities
• Willing to disagree without being disagreeable

29. The Data Is Amazing

31. Not in Harrisburg, Still Making a
Difference

33. Start Here- Election Districts
• http://www.redistricting.state.pa.us/Maps/House.cfm
• Interactive district maps on the State and federal level

34. Nuts and Bolts
• https://ballotpedia.org/Ballot_access_requirements_for_p
olitical_candidates_in_Pennsylvania
• In order to get on the ballot in Pennsylvania, a candidate
for state or federal office must meet a variety of complex,
state-specific filing requirements and deadlines. These
laws are set at the state level. A candidate must prepare
to meet ballot access requirements well in advance of
primaries, caucuses and the general election.

35. • You need to petition to get on the ballot. You will need
about 2x the number of signatures required in order to
avoid challenges by the other party.
• If you work with a traditional party, they will help you get
the signatures you need
• You need to form a campaign committee, with a
Chairman (largely an honorary job) get a treasurer, and
set up a PAC for fundraising. (Campaign finance and
reporting is on a strict schedule)

36. • You will need to file a statement of financial interest-
http://www.ethics.pa.gov/How-To/Pages/How-To-File-a-Statement-of-Financial-
Interests.aspx#.Vo0wD01gmUk
• Candidate’s Affidavit
• EVERYTHING needs to be notarized- many banks do it for
free, or Wiggins will do it for a small charge
• http://www.dos.pa.gov/VotingElections/CandidatesCommittees/Campaig
nFinance/Pa

37. • https://www.pavoterservices.state.pa.us/Pages/officesurv
ey.aspx
• https://www.pavoterservices.state.pa.us/Pages/Petition%
20Instructions.pdf

39. What Else Will I Need?
• Website
• Social Media pages
• Palm cards - Rack Cards
• Mailers
• Fund-raising letters
• email address
• PO Box for campaign
• Bank Account for campaign- treasurer

40. Extras- The Help You May Need
• Campaign Committee
• Treasurer
• Campaign Manager
• Field Director
• Volunteer coordinator/Scheduler
• Marketing/Messaging/Social media

41. A Campaign “Season”
• Talk to a Party director NOW, Go to local meetings NOW
and find out local issues that are important to you
• Nomination petitions in January/February, then
• Candidate School! (State level and higher)
• Getting the word out, website, signs for the primary, Palm
cards and door knocking until….
• Primary in May

42. After the Primary
• Fundraising - plan in advance, get a plan and a budget
together (you will need “official” name badge, signs, rack
cards, car magnets, mailers- know the costs)
• Get a strategy- who are your voters?
• Attend every possible local event- introduce yourself,
contact local media
• Get a community project- I walked trails every Friday
morning and invited community to join

43. • Door knocking, debates, presentations at local senior
centers, etc. Get an elevator speech; why you’re running
and the issues that most concern you
• Research the competition; Know their strengths and
weaknesses as well as your own
• Be prepared to have them do the same. Know your
strengths and weaknesses as well. Can you turn their
version of a weakness into a strength? (Just a mom =
Better in touch with our families and schools)

44. Losing and Winning

45. Losing is okay
• I lost a well run race in 2014
• Gained name recognition, respect from my community,
and one of the best learning experiences about how
“politics” really works from the inside
• Turned that into a successful run for the next office- and
the whole thing was really close- 150 vote margin or so.

46. Winning is a responsibility
• If elected, you have a fiduciary responsibility to your
community to act in their stead. Take this responsibility
seriously.
• Be the change you want to see. Don't let anyone else
dictate your core values.
• Be authentic. Be Yourself. That’s what people want to
see.

49. Use your talents to make

50. Make Change
• PDF New Resident’s Manual
• Videos of local projects, working during a snow storm
• New website- now mobile friendly!
• Sustainable Development office- working for business and
environment
• Working to get 2 GB high speed internet into the community
• Bringing together local municipalities and school district
• Got school superintendent onto the Library Board of Directors

53. You CAN do it
On the front line or behind
the scenes
But DO get involved

54. Go Make a Difference
Not The End, Just a New Beginning