Ready to Run

Event Recap

Mount St. Mary's College is the Southern California provider of the Ready to Run™ program, a nonpartisan campaign training program for women, in partnership with the Center for American Women and Politics (CAWP), a unit of the Eagleton Institute of Politics at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey.

Research shows that women make government more transparent, inclusive and accessible. Women bring different priorities and experiences to public life, including perspectives that have been largely absent in public policymaking. Women change the way government works, and their voices are needed in legislative chambers around the country.

Created by the Center for American Women and Politics to train women candidates, Ready to Run™ is a non-partisan campaign training program to encourage women to run for elective office, position themselves for appointive office, work on a campaign, or get involved in public life in other ways.

The  Ready to Run™ program on February 9 features two tracks:
Track 1: "You've Decided to Run...Now What?" This track is designed for women planning to run for office in the immediate future.

Track 2: "I'm Not Ready to Run Yet, But..." This track is for those interested in getting more information about different ways to get involved in politics and how to position themselves for a possible run in the future.

Speakers include:

• Los Angeles County District Attorney Jackie Lacey
• Assemblymember Bonnie Lowenthal
• Celinda Lake, pollster, political strategist and president of Lake Research Partners
• Kafi D. Blumenfield, Liberty Hill Foundation
• Val Zavala, host, "SoCal Connected"

When:

Friday, February 8, 2013 - Day One
Saturday, February 9, 2013 - Day Two

Where:

Mount St. Mary's College, Los Angeles, CA

February 8
Doheny Campus: 10 Chester Place, Los Angeles, CA 90007

February 9
Chalon Campus: 12001 Chalon Road, Los Angeles, CA 90049

Cost:

Fee includes admission to both days; plus parking, continental breakfast and lunch on the second day.

$40 - General Admission
$15 - Students (Free for MSMC Students)

Day One - Diversity Roundtables

Friday, February 8, 2013
Doheny Campus, 10 Chester Place, Los Angeles

1:30 - 2:00 p.m.
Registration, Doheny Mansion

2:00 - 3:15 p.m.
Welcome 
Debbie Walsh, Center for American Women & Politics

Moderator
Robin Owens, Assistant Professor, Mount St. Mary's College

3:30 - 5:00 p.m.
Diversity Initiative Program Panel/Roundtable
Eleccion Latina (for Latina women), Run Sister Run (for African-American women), Rising Stars (for Asian/Pacific Islander-American women)
CAWP has developed a Diversity Initiative component of Ready to Run™ to attract more women of color into the political process and to encourage them to seek public leadership. Panelists include:
Yvonne Brathwaite Burke, former U.S. Representative
Marsha Ramos, former Mayor, City of Burbank
Irene Tovar, CEO, Latin American Civic Association

5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Networking Reception

Day Two - Ready to Run

Saturday, February 9, 2013
Chalon Campus, 12001 Chalon Road, Los Angeles

7:30 - 8:30 a.m.
Registration and Continental Breakfast

8:30 - 10:15 a.m.
Keynote & Plenary: What Women Candidates Need to Know

Welcome: 
Ann McElaney-Johnson, president of Mount St. Mary's College
Debbie Walsh, director of the Center for American Women & Politics

Keynote: 
Jackie Lacey, Los Angeles County District Attorney

Plenary: 
Celinda Lake, president of Lake Research Partners

10:30 - 11:45 a.m.
Track 1: Launching Your Campaign
This session provides an overview of the key elements of a campaign, including assessing and establishing oneself as a candidate, developing a campaign plan, structuring a campaign organization, and voter contact.
Presenter: Theresa Coady, Attorney, Campaign Manager for District Attorney Jackie Lacey

Track 2: Introduction to California Politics and Advocacy
This session, designed for those who are not ready to run but want to have an impact on important issues, offers an overview of the "nuts and bolts" of government and political parties in the state. Topics covered will include positioning oneself for appointment to a public board or commission, getting active in a political party, and using effective advocacy techniques.
Panel Moderator: Helen Boutrous, Ph.D., Mount St. Mary's College
Panelists: Kafi Blumenfield, Liberty Hill Foundation; Rachel Michelin, California Women Lead; Torie Osborn, Los Angeles Deputy Mayor

Noon - 12:45 p.m. Lunch
Internet Strategies for Candidates, Campaigns and Advocates
Internet outreach is a key aspect of today's political and advocacy campaigns. Online tools including blogs; social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and other emerging media are increasingly important for getting campaign messages out to a broad audience of potential voters or stakeholders. This session will provide an overview of best practices and offer practical tips on how to get started or enhance your online presence.
Presenter: Laurie Kretchmar, Laurie Kretchmar Associates

1:00 - 2:30 p.m.
Conquering the Camera - An Interactive Media Training
This interactive media training workshop will include tips for successful interviews on tough topics, how to look poised and professional on camera, staying on message, and public speaking techniques. Selected participants will take part in mock interviews and on-camera practice sessions.
Presenter: Val Zavala, Anchor, "SoCal Connected"

2:45 - 4:00 p.m.
Track 1: Navigating California's Political Parties As a Potential Candidate
The session will highlight the power dynamics of party organizations, building relationships with party operatives and gaining the party's support, and will address how to respond when the party organization is not supportive.
Panel Moderator: Helen Boutrous, Ph.D., Mount St. Mary's College
Panelists: Lindsey Horvath, Hollywood NOW; Torie Osborn, Los Angeles Deputy Mayor; Patti Adair, Los Angeles Federated Republican Women

Track 2: Laying the Groundwork for Public Life
This session offers advice from the experts - veteran public leaders. Learn everything you have ever wanted to know but were afraid to ask. Topics covered include learning to raise one's public profile, leveraging community leadership for political leadership, choosing the right elected office for you, working on campaigns, and balancing the competing priorities of political and family life.
 Panel Moderator: Jean Sinzdak, director, Program for Women Public Officials, CAWP 
Panelists: Connie Conway, California Assembly; Bonnie Lowenthal, California Assembly; Abbe Land, Mayor Pro Tem, City of West Hollywood; Theresa Coady, Attorney, Campaign Manager for District Attorney Jackie Lacey.

4:15 - 5:45 p.m.
Plenary: Fundraising for Success
Fundraising is one of the most crucial aspects of a campaign. This interactive workshop covers key components of campaign fundraising, including special emphasis on understanding why people give and the in-person "ask." The session will also address developing a strategy for your campaign, building a donor list, recruiting and motivating a finance committee, and organizing special events.
Presenter: Nancy Bocskor, President, The Nancy Bocskor Company

5:45 - 7:00 p.m.
Networking Reception