Canvassing and Phonebanking

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Canvassing and Phonebanking
September 17th, 2008
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Tonights Trainers
Matt Blizek Night School Host Democracy for
America
Tom Swan Executive Director Connecticut Citizen
Action
Lauree Hayden COPE Campaign Director SEIU
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Conversations Win Elections

• Ability to target voters
• Two-way communication
• Has the highest impact on voters
• Relatively inexpensive

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PhonebanksGetting Ready
Create a positive environment for your
volunteers Training Role Plays are a
must Phonebank Packets Prepared - Lists
numbers - Scripts - Candidate issues -
Clipboards pens
Tips for Fun Phonebanks Phonebank Bingo Bells
and Whistles Energy!
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Get SCEDS

• Smile They can hear you!
• Connect Be a real person!
• Ear Glue No need to hang up between calls
• Dammit Speak confidently clearly
• Stand Move around to keep your energy up!

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More Phonebank Skills

• Engage! - Listen more than you talk and ask
  questions
• Take Good Notes - Make it clear and legible,
  follow the coding instructions!
• Forget Your Last Call Focus on the voter youre
  about to talk with

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Canvass Setup

• Sample Canvass Packet
• Walklist
• Maps Turf
• Scripts
• Literature
• Campaign Number
• Water Snacks
• Extra Pens

• Tips for Successful Canvass
• Be prepared
• Create canvass packets
• Create teams
• Set goals
• Doors, contacts, IDs
• Have games contests

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Key Canvassing Tips

• Safety First Never go into homes, beware of
  dogs!
• Dress the Part Wear comfortable shoes! Check
  the weather
• Know the Message Memorize the script, do lots
  of Role Plays!
• Communicate w/out words Always be smiling when
  they answer the door. Get them to open the door
  and engage you
• Feel free to say I dont know See it as an
  opportunity to follow up with them

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More Canvassing Tips

• Never Debate - You may win the argument and lose
  the vote
• Let them know you were there - Write personal
  messages on your literature
• Know your environment Look around before you go
  up to the door, look up where people vote in each
  neighborhood you canvass
• Move! How many doors can you knock in an hour?
  Push yourself!
• Take Good Notes When in doubt, write it down

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Resources

• Sample Scripts (click to view)
• Phonebank Bingo (click to view)

Phonebank for Obama from home! http//my.barack
obama.com/call
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• Million Doors for
• Peace campaign
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