Political Development Series
Women are needed in political office!
Registration is closed. The next cohort is September 2021 – February 2022 and registration will open in August 2021.
The Women’s Leadership Institute offers a one-of-a-kind, nonpartisan political candidate training program for women in Utah. Our Political Development Series is an interactive and instructive training that will teach you the ‘how’ and ‘why’ of running for public office. You will join a cohort of women and, over the course of six months, hear from a variety of experts and participate in various workshops—all designed to prepare you to run for a local, state-wide or federal office.
With the current COVID-19 pandemic still creating uncertainty, the 2020-2021 cohort will be both online and in-person, whenever possible.
Women are getting involved in politics. A voice is critical, but a VOTE is even more powerful.
Let us help you reach your political aspirations!
PDS Participants
Participants Became Candidates
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Candidates Win
PDS Participants Appointed
Join the 2021 Waitlist.
The next Political Development Series begins in September 2021. Add your email to the waitlist and we will email you as soon as registration opens.
The Political Development Series is nonpartisan. Statewide enrollment is welcome. In addition to training, you’ll have access to valuable networking opportunities and an exclusive cohort of women to support your learning and connections.
Training Schedule:
Thursday, September 17, 2020
“We Need You – panel of female politicians, why we need women in office”
10:30 am – Networking
(masks required; physically distanced conversation)
11 am – 2 pm – Training
Zoom/Live-streaming & In-person
Cottonwood Country Club
1780 Lakewood Dr.
Holladay, UT 84117
Thursday, October 15, 2020
“Campaign Kickstart – campaign structure and steps, signatures vs. caucus system”
10:30 am – Networking
(masks required; physically distanced conversation)
11 am – 2 pm – Training
Zoom/Live-streaming & In-person
Cottonwood Country Club
1780 Lakewood Dr.
Holladay, UT 84117
Thursday, November 19, 2020
“Campaign Communications – branding, websites, email lists, social media strategy”
10:30 am – Networking
(masks required; physically distanced conversation)
11 am – 2 pm – Training
Zoom/Live-streaming & In-person
Cottonwood Country Club
1780 Lakewood Dr.
Holladay, UT 84117
Thursday, December 17, 2020
“Find Your Voice and Use it”
10:30 am – Networking
(masks required; physically distanced conversation)
11 am – 2 pm – Training
Zoom/Live-streaming & In-person
Cottonwood Country Club
1780 Lakewood Dr.
Holladay, UT 84117
Thursday, January 21, 2021
(topic TBD)
10:30 am – Networking
(masks required; physically distanced conversation)
11 am – 2 pm – Training
Zoom/Live-streaming & In-person
Cottonwood Country Club
1780 Lakewood Dr.
Holladay, UT 84117
*tentative date*
Thursday, February 18, 2021
GRADUATION & TOUR
11 am – 2 pm
Utah State Capitol
Location:
Zoom/Live-streaming & In-person
Cottonwood Country Club
1780 Lakewood Dr.
Holladay, UT 84117
6-Month Session
Six sessions of tailored political development training. (If we meet in person, a small meal fee may be required.)- YOU WILL LEARN
- Why women in politics – why we need YOU running for office
- Campaign steps and deadlines
- Signatures vs. caucus system
- Develop and refine your voice and message as a political candidate
- Demographic/constituent research: issue development
- Image and public speaking tips
- Online and mass media strategies for campaigning
- Using databases: how to reach constituents; marketing and media/social media
- Advice on overcoming fear and opposition
- Fundraising and finance tips
- Public budgets: revenue and expenditures, budget cycles and processes
- Bonus: Exclusive, interactive group of current and past PDS students
- Bonus: Online learning portal to facilitate learning all month.
- Bonus: Session recordings for participants who can’t make a particular session
What Women Are Saying About The Political Development Series
“When I began this journey I was prepared for the entire year of work the campaign took. My time in WLI was invaluable. I was able to listen, learn and strategize many campaign ideas due to the amazing speakers that were brought in and my other classmates. I am beyond honored to be the first female mayor for the beautiful city of Provo.”
“I will never forget the first time I heard Pat Jones talk about the benefits of running for office regardless of the outcome of the election. At the first session of the Political Development Series, she told us about her granddaughter delivering the commencement speech at her High School Graduation — after the graduation the granddaughter told Pat that she developed courage by growing up knocking on doors for her grandma’s political campaigns. I have found the same to be true. Someone recently asked my daughter what she learned by her mom running for office, and without hesitation she said, ‘It has made me more confident.’ Running for office has been one of the best things we have ever done as a family, and I can’t recommend it highly enough.
The Political Development Series will inspire you and give you the courage and tools to run for office. There is something wonderful about being in a room full of smart, engaged women from a variety of political backgrounds all interested in making our state better. The speakers were informative and dynamic, and the women I met were truly amazing. I especially enjoyed the session on the nuts and bolts of running for office, and the panel discussions with women serving in various elected offices. I highly recommend this series to anyone interested in running for office or just being more involved with policy decisions in Utah. Sign up — we need you!”
“I was just thinking about how much the political development series helped me make the decision to run and then overcome some of the self-doubt that tends to plague us as women in the public arena. Your efforts made a significant difference for me and I’m sure for many others.”
“I loved participating in the Political Development Series. To me, it was a monthly dose of can-do and candor that I looked forward to every time. The other ladies inspired me and I feel more prepared to grow my political wings. Thank you WLI for providing this empowering opportunity!”
“The Political Development Series was instrumental in my decision to run for Millcreek City Council in 2016. It gave me the tools I needed to run for office. For example, the funding raising section was one of the critical elements I needed to run my campaign. I learned how to ask for donations, and people gave generously.
When I came in third in my district in the primaries, I decided to support my opponent, Bev Uipi, for the general election. I supported Bev because we have a similar vision for the future of Millcreek City, and her values align with mine. Bev and I actually met at the PDS, and that is where we discovered we would be running against each other.
Not only did the Political Development Series teach me the skills and knowledge I needed to run for office, it also gave me the tools and courage to run. I am grateful for the WLI, and the wonderful women cohorts I met and connected with!”
Join the 2021 Waitlist
The next Political Development Series begins September 2021. Join the waitlist and you’ll be the first to know when registration opens.