So you’ve been hired to manage a campaign? Your job is now to lead a team of people who stay focused on goals, follow the campaign plan, and help the candidate (or organization) be at his or her best every day.
Every campaign role comes with different responsibilities. In many campaigns –particularly smaller, down-ballot ones – one person may hold many of these roles.
Volunteers are vital to winning the Wellstone way – and creating a volunteer culture around your campaign will have effects that go far beyond the moment the polls close on Election Night.
As the campaign manager you are CEO and CFO. Your number-one job is managing how your campaign’s scarce resources (time, people and money) are allocated and spent.
Here's a sample code of conduct developed for a gubernatorial race. It was distributed and discussed – first with the entire staff and subsequently with every new hire – including volunteers.
The campaign plan is one of the most critical elements of a winning electoral campaign. A strong plan is your roadmap to victory. It allows the campaign to maximize scarce resources to meet specific goals.
Regular email communication with your supporters can be an effective way to build relationships and tell the story of your campaign – so have a calendar, and a plan, to send emails throughout the campaign as part of your digital organizing work.
Make your volunteer asks very specific. A vague request, like “can we count on you for rallies and debates?” is too vague, and leaves room to wiggle out of it.
