encouraging citizens to run for town office presentation … · 1. letter to the editor or guest...
TRANSCRIPT
ENCOURAGING CITIZENS TO RUN FOR TOWN OFFICE
PRESENTATION AT LEAGUE LEADERS’ LUNCH, MARCH 7, 2015
Karen Price, ([email protected])
Local Leagues can have an important role in encouraging citizens to run for public office. Below are
several suggestions of how the League can raise awareness and offer assistance.
1. Letter to the Editor or guest column/op-ed
Timing: As soon as Town Clerk announces open seats, or right after the date nomination papers
are available
Author: LWV president or designee (such as Voter Service Chair)
Advice: Respect the role of the Town Clerk, refer to Clerk’s website and respect her/his authority
over the process.
Follow Up Letter: May follow-up with a letter to the editor as deadline for filing approaches
Sample: Guest column from Needham Times from Karen Price
2. Website, Facebook, Bulletin
Use website to give deadlines, elected offices in contention, procedures, link to Town Clerk.
Concord-Carlisle Carlisle: http://lwvcc.ma.lwvnet.org/runningforoffice.html
Facebook—periodic updates, link to more information on website
https://www.facebook.com/pages/League-of-Women-Voters-of-Needham-MA/48359795584
3. Public Forums
4. Television programs; How to Run, What Boards Do
Timing: Shortly after date nomination papers are available
Producer: Joint project of LWV and local cable
Types of Programs
Taped public forum
Taped studio forum
Documentary program
Advantages
Show taped programs year after year on local cable.
If you want to have a yearly information night, you do not need to organize a full panel, just
show the video at the event (may invite Town Clerk for Q+A).
Post link on cable TV website and League website, cable TV may post on YouTube.
Link to the videos within letters to editor, website, Facebook, Twitter.
Types of productions
Taped public forum Hold a public forum with audience and panel, have cable TV film the program, edit,
broadcast, create DVD, post on cable TV website, post on YouTube, provide link to LWV in order to post
on your website.
Sudbury http://sudburytv.pegcentral.com/player.php?video=1a9c7c3c5dbb2e2ce526093d0cc2e5fc
Getting Elected in Carlisle workshop http://vp.telvue.com/preview?id=T00341&video=140942
Running for Office in Concord workshop http://vp.telvue.com/preview?id=T00341&video=137302
In-Studio forum. Similar to above, but filmed in studio. A panel with League moderator discusses
running for and holding public office. Does not include audience questions, but can include prepared
Q+A. Can be edited if desired.
Acton Area http://actontv.org/on-demand/post-video/how-to-run-for-office-1386259206
Produced documentary program. Includes interviews, footage from around town, graphics, music, etc.
The producer has more control on what is said and when. It works well for two League members to work
together.
Needham Town Meeting https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4YEsJwlRNDI
Needham Elected Boards https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-ehURN1f3Q
Steps for Creating a Taped Forum (live or in studio)
Create a summary to pitch to Cable TV director. Include reason why it is important and outline of
the show.
Agree to forum, location, possible dates, etc. Your cable station will advise you. Line up panel and
moderator.
Steps for Creating a Documentary Program
Create a summary to pitch to Cable TV director. Include reason why it is important and outline of
the show.
Meet and discuss the idea with the director, or email and follow-up.
Decide who will do what (League member v. cable people).
Start with an outline of all the scenes that will need to be filmed. Discuss with cable TV what they
already have, since they have filmed Town Meetings, board meetings, etc., but not everything you
may want. Understand that they have a limited staff, but are usually looking for fresh programming.
Work with cable TV producer to arrange interviews.
Raw footage needs to be edited to make a cohesive program. How this is done will depend on your
cable TV producer. Editing is the most time-consuming step, but it is where you can get creative with
narration, sequencing scenes, integrating graphics and editing interviews to the essential or
meaningful statements.
Review final version, but may not be able to make many changes at this point.
Once it is ready to air, send a thank you email to everyone involved with a link to the program.
Becoming a Needham Town Meeting MemberA public service event
presented by the League of Women Voters of Needham and the Town Meeting Moderator (Michael Fee)
Tuesday, January 28, 20147:15 PM
Great Plain Room (lower level), Needham Town Hall
• Have you been thinking about running for Town Meeting but don’t know how to begin?
• Do you want to be part of decisions that guide Needham?
• Are you interested in how our tax dollars are spent?
• Do you want to add your voice to the discussion of the future of schools, public services, zoning, and town government?
For further information email [email protected].
No registration required. Everyone is welcome.
Join us for this one-evening event to learn what Town Meeting does, time commitment and expectations, and how to become a member. A video presentation will be followed by a question and answer session with current Town Meeting Members and Moderator Michael Fee. Town Clerk Tedi Eaton will be available so potential Town Meeting candidates can pick up nomination papers on site. Candidates must be registered to vote in Needham; all interested residents are welcome to come and learn more about Town Meeting.
Signatures from 10 registered voters from your precinct are required to run in the April 8 election.
LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS® of NEEDHAMwww.LWV-Needham.org
Supporting LWV-N voter services
Running for Office in Concord
A Workshop Offering a Roadmap and
Tips for Candidates and Campaigners
Featured Panelists:
Anita Tekle, Town Clerk
Eric Van Loon, Town Moderator
Elise Woodward, Board of Selectmen
Phil Benincasa, School Committee
Linda Escobedo, Housing Authority
It’s time to learn the rules of the road.
The 2013 local election season is just around the corner!
Town Caucus: January 28 Town Election: March 19
We’ll survey the election cycle, deciding to run, finance laws,
campaigning, and what comes after Election Day. Also learn about
other ways to get involved in town government.
Free and open to the public.
Thursday, Nov. 29, 2012
7:30-9:30 p.m.
Town House Hearing Room
22 Monument Square, Concord, MA
Sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Concord-Carlisle
www.lwvcc.org [email protected] 978-254-1598