Learn to Campaign
If you have the passion to run for office, it may take a lot of hard work, but it is possible to turn it into a reality. If you are a disabled veteran, there may be different obstacles, but your experiences make you a valuable candidate for any office.
Teach Yourself the Basics
To turn the dream of running for office into a reality, you need to learn how to make it happen. You may want to start by asking others who have public office what their daily schedule looks like and what type of team they had before the election. Learn from others who have been where you are.
When building your campaign team, focus on diversity and important positions. You should have someone who can manage money, coordinate volunteers, and direct communications. There are no specific programs available to train people with disabilities to run for office or hurdle over specific obstacles.
To make yourself a more credible candidate, consider the power of an advanced degree. You may have veterans benefits available to help return to school. An advanced degree in political science, for instance, could help you focus on public policy or theory. Earning a doctorate or other advanced degree as a person with disabilities may be challenging without the assistance of online programs. An online program allows you to work at your own pace to pursue your goals on your timetable while caring for your professional life and your family. Online programs tend to be more flexible and accessible.
Bring Together the Right Team
Volunteers bring your campaign to life. Before they can benefit your campaign, you have to recruit them. Before you begin looking for volunteers, you need to learn to be blunt when you need help. Do not imply you need help, but specifically ask people if they are willing to go door to door or make phone calls for the campaign.
To find volunteers, start with the people closest to you. Friends and family are the most likely first volunteers. Next, move on to acquaintances. Acquaintances are alumni from your college or high school, members of your church, or other civic groups you may be a part of. Once you have volunteers, do not expect them to hit the ground running. Your volunteers need training in the issues at stake in the election and the campaign process.
In addition to volunteers, you’ll also need professional help. Your campaign staff will be paid by the campaign itself, but it’s useful to have tools available in case you need them. For example, you can use an online paycheck calculator to determine how much a staffer is owed on a given check. You may need to do this in a pinch should there be an issue with your normal payroll system.
Take Your Campaign to the Internet
Everyone is online nowadays. If you want to win public office, you need to utilize the internet. Set up a polished website and focus on your social media strategy. If you do not have internet savvy or if you do not have volunteers on your team willing to work on a website or your social media, you may need to hire a social media manager or web designer. You can easily find web design agencies to create your site through online job platforms. Select an agency based on their experience, rates, and reviews.
Your website should break down your platform and policy proposals. A website provides voters with a place to learn more. Social media allows voters to access you and to ask questions.
You have a valid reason to run for public office if you want to advocate for your community or causes. To build your campaign as a disabled veteran, focus on education, team-building, and online tools.
Thanks to Hazel Bridges, Director of AgingWellness.org, for authoring this article.