Weekend #5 Training Materials

Location: Renaissance Baton Rouge Hotel
7000 Bluebonnet Blvd., Baton Rouge, LA 70810


Saturday, May 18th

8 a.m. – 9 a.m. | Breakfast & check in
Renaissance Hotel – Lobby

Melanie will be outside of the Bourbeau Grand Ballroom (the main ballroom in the hotel) from 8 a.m. – 9 a.m. with breakfast foods and printouts for class members. You must check in with her before you go to the True Blue Summit registration desk. Please see the map of the hotel below.


9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m | True Blue Summit
Renaissance Hotel – Bourbeau Grand Ballroom

Class members will be asked to write down their planned breakouts during check-in time and turn them into Melanie. Melanie is also happy to discuss your breakout track and give feedback/answer questions!


CLASS MEMBERS ARE REQUIRED TO ATTEND:

1:30 PM: DSCC MEETING + DELEGATE SELECTION

3:30 PM: MAKING ENDORSEMENTS MATTER

4:30 PM: NETWORKING RECEPTION


True Blue Summit Schedule

Click here for a PDF of the schedule.

Handouts will be available at the Summit registration table.


12 p.m. – 1 p.m. | Lunch Served

Renaissance Hotel – Bourbeau Grand Ballroom

This is a grab & go working lunch. Please report to where lunch is being served and find Melanie. She will have things you need for the Networking Reception at 4:30 p.m.


True Blue Summit Schedule

Renaissance Hotel – Bourbeau Grand Ballroom


4:30 p.m – 5:30 p.m. | Networking Happy Hour

Renaissance Hotel – Bourbeau Prefunction Area 

Class members are required to attend and complete the networking challenge. Melanie will give you a worksheet with more details during lunch. Please find her outside of the Ballroom during your lunch break.


7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. | Class Dinner

— Location TBA — 

We are having a casual dinner/mixer with NLC’s 2019 Louisiana Cohort. NLC (New Leaders Council) is a non-profit organization that trains young progressives to be leaders through a 6-month program similar to Emerge’s timewise. NLC and Emerge America are partners and both of us are members of a larger group of organizations that collaborate on candidate training. It’s a great chance to meet young people who care about politics and have vast networks/skills helpful to candidates. Learn more about the NLC Louisiana 2019 cohort members here.


Sunday, May 19th

7 a.m. – 8 a.m. | Yoga 
Renaissance Baton Rouge Hotel – Poolside
7000 Bluebonnet Blvd., Baton Rouge, LA 70810 

8:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. | Breakfast & Check-In
Renaissance Baton Rouge Hotel Bienvenue Room
7000 Bluebonnet Blvd., Baton Rouge, LA 70810 

9:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. | Alumnae Conversations
With Alsie Dunbar   

9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. | Opposition Research
With Carol Andrews 

11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. | Digital Fundraising Training
With the ActBlue Team

12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. | Lunch Break
Set up your ActBlue page & practice on-camera interviews during lunch

1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. | Canvassing Excercise 
With Lori Callais & Robin Parrott


Pre-Work assignments to prepare for upcoming training

  1. Endorsements | Think through your personal values and platforms. Do some research on who got which endorsements in previous elections.
  2. Democratic Party Structure | Read the state party platform and journal what resonates with you.
    Helpful links– State Party Bylaws | DNC Platform 2016
  3. Polling | Find a recent poll that surveyed Louisiana voters. Discuss the poll’s findings. What surprised you? What disappointed you? What inspired you?
  4. Canvassing | Download the MiniVAN application on your phone.
    Helpful links– iTunes Store App | Google Play Store App
  5. Canvassing | Draft a canvassing script.
    Helpful links– GOTV Canvassing Script Example
  6. Opposition Research | Do a bit of self “opposition” research. What can someone find about you that you’d prefer not to talk about? What issues in your district are you not prepared to answer questions about?
    Helpful links– Researching Yourself Guideline

*** Review your notes from this past assignment: Write a five-ten sentence biography for yourself (real) and for your opponent (real or imaginary).***
Helpful links– Bio Checklist



Homework assignments to complete following the last training

  • Field 101 | Recruit a volunteer for something. Make sure they are comfortable and ask them to volunteer again!
  • Media Relations | Write an op ed or LTE and try to get it published.
  • Media Relations | Meet with a reporter who covers your district.
  • Social Media | Create (and follow) a content calendar for your personal social media.
  • Campaign Planning | Figure out who represents you, from dog catcher to president. What are their districts? How many votes did it take for them to win? What do they do?

*** Review your notes from this past assignment: Great time to revisit this assignment: Find an opportunity to speak in public (on local cable television, at an event, on a podcast) and do so. Send a copy of the recording to the executive director.***


Hotel Information

Twenty rooms are available Friday & Saturday night at the Renaissance Baton Rouge Hotel. The rooms are $119 per night. Single and double rooms are available.

Renaissance Baton Rouge Hotel – BOOKING LINK
Phone: (225) 215-7000
Address: 7000 Bluebonnet Blvd., Baton Rouge, LA 70810
Hotel Staff Contacts: Lacey Terrell & Sabrina Jones

The deadline to book a room using the link: 11:59 p.m. Wednesday, May 15th

**Email Melanie if you need supporter housing or help with booking hotel rooms.


Class Officers

  • Emcees: Angel & Cammie| The Emcees are responsible for introducing all the speakers on that class day. A great way to practice a valuable skill and get to know some of our speakers!
  • Whips: Jeannette & VACANT | The Whips are responsible for helping the class run on time, getting classmates back from breaks, keeping speakers on time, passing out handouts, etc.
  • Social Chairs: Brenda & VACANT | Social Chairs are responsible for setting up one social event in the month before the class.

**Please offer to help if you didn’t sign up for a class officer shift in January**


Sunday Menus


Attire | Saturday is business casual. Sunday is casual! Wear comfortable walking shoes on Sunday and look at the weather forecast for clothes to keep you comfortable outside. We will be canvassing. Bring yoga gear too!

Carpooling | You are encouraged to carpool with your Emerge sisters to Alexandria! Please facilitate those plans on your own.

Bring from home | Clipboard or hardcover binder/notebook, paper, pens, phone charger, headphones, homework, pre-work, business cards/calling cards for networking exercise, reusable water bottle, your Emerge binder & nametag.

Weekend #5 Memo

Trainer Bios

coming soon.