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Ready to Run

2018 Event Schedule

Ready to Run a nonpartisan campaign training for women at Mount Saint Mary's University

8:30 -9:15 a.m. Registration, Continental Breakfast and Book Sale
Location: Campus Center Patio
9:15-10 a.m. Opening Session
Location: Campus Center East

Opening Remarks: Welcome!
Jackie Filla, PhD, associate professor, History & Political Science Dept., Mount Saint Mary's University
News from the Center for the Advancement of Women
Emerald Archer, PhD, director Center for the Advancement of Women, Mount Saint Mary's University

Dynamic Female Leadership
U.S. Rep. Karen Bass, 37th Congressional District

U.S. Rep. Karen Bass has one of the most inspirational stories in Congress and is one of its most energetic members. She will reflect upon her distinguished career in politics and on what it takes to get elected, get things done and truly make a difference in elected office. She will discuss how to turn your passion into a political platform and why we need more women to run for office.
10 - 10:15 a.m. Break (15 min)
10:15 - 11:15 a.m. Master Class in Politics

Master classes are designed to give you access to some of the top political strategists and those serving in appointed office in a smaller, more intimate class setting. Each session will feature an expert speaker with time for simulations and a Q&A period. The two choices are designed to provide access to all levels of political interest, from the novice to the woman ready to file her candidacy.

SELECT ONE
Option 1: The Campaign Trail: A Roadmap to Winning
Location: Campus Center Northwest
Led by a seasoned political strategist/trainer, this session will provide tools, insights and case studies to help attendees build a winning campaign. You’ll learn how to calculate a winning game strategy, build campaign operations to reach your goals, and develop strategies for effective outreach and voter targeting.


Speaker:
Danielle Cendejas, senior vice president, The Strategy Group

Option 2: Panel: Building Your Political Resume: Serving as an Appointed Official
Location: Campus Center East
Many of us want to serve the public, but aren’t interested in being an elected official. Others of us are looking for ways to build our political networks. Appointments offer the opportunity to do both, and there are hundreds of appointed positions out there. Our speakers will share how to navigate the appointment process and what service on a board or commission truly means.

Panel:
Moderator: Jackie Filla, associate professor, History & Political Science Dept., Mount Saint Mary’s University
Sonya Logman, deputy secretary, Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency
Veronica Padilla, planning commissioner, City of Los Angeles
Alice Petrossian, president, Los Angeles County Commission for Women
Cheryl Turner, member, California Board of Vocational Nursing & Psychiatric Technicians
Felicia Williams, planning commissioner, City of Pasadena
11:15 - 11:30 a.m. Break (15 min)
11:30 a.m. -12:30 p.m.

Political Communication: Using the Language of Success breakout sessions
Public speaking is consistently ranked among the top fears of humans -- right up there with death and snakes! This section is dedicated to giving you tips on how to conquer the camera, and providing effective communication techniques in a challenging political climate. You will hear from our panel of news experts or our expert trainer in crisis communications. You will leave poised to effectively communicate your candidacy to the world.

SELECT ONE

Option 1: Panel: Conquering the Media: Advice from On-Air Pros
Location: Campus Center East
How to go from fake news to great news! This media training will include tips for successful interviews on tough topics, how to look poised and professional on camera, staying on message, and public speaking techniques. Learn from a panel of women who are in front of the camera and have covered female politicians.

Panel:
Moderator: Emily Williams, senior deputy, Human Services, Child Welfare, and Education, LA County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas
Myrka Dellanos, Emmy Award-winning TV journalist and CEO, Dellanos Productions
Elizabeth Espinosa, Emmy Award-winning TV personality
Kyung Lah, senior national correspondent, CNN

Option 2: Crisis Communication: How to Manage and Thrive in Today's Media Environment
Location: Campus Center Northwest
In this session, communications veteran Naomi Seligman will help participants identify and prepare for a crisis, how to deal with the immediate and ensuing events of a crisis, and the importance of using a well-managed crisis as an opportunity. Seligman will lead a hands-on exercise with audience members on potential crisis situations they may confront and how to best address those issues.

Speaker:
Naomi Seligman, co-founder, Tower26 Agency
 12:30 -1 p.m. Catered Break
Location: Campus Center Patio
Grab your lunch, network for a bit and proceed to the breakout sessions
1:15 - 2:15 p.m. Political Fundraising: Voting with Your Purse breakout sessions
Fundraising is an essential part of running a successful campaign. This session is designed to teach you the ins and outs of courting donors and raising money. We will discuss how to ask for money, digital grassroots fundraising, and the resources available through political action committees (PACs).

SELECT ONE
Option 1: The Art of Political Fundraising: Strategy, Implementation, Support
Location: Campus Center Northwest
The next step after deciding to run for office is finding options for funding your political campaign. After all, it’s hard to win your seat if you don’t have the money to put yourself in the public eye! This session will provide tools on developing and implementing a fundraising system so that you set the foundation to raise money, meet your financial goals, and engage your constituents so that they feel invested in your political campaign.


Speaker:
Mona Sanchez, W&S Consulting Group

Option 2: Panel: Power of the PAC: Endorsements That Matter 
Location: Campus Center East
What are PACs? How can they help your campaign? This session seeks to demystify the world of political action committees by discussing what they are, how they work, and how they decide which campaigns to invest in. This panel brings together women-focused PACs in Southern California so you can tap into women helping women.

Panel:
Moderator: Felicia Williams, planning commissioner, City of Pasadena
Tori Chica, director, National Women’s Political Caucus (NWPC)
Caroline Edwards, co-founder, The Next Collective
Erica Jacquez, executive in charge of government affairs, Directors Guild of America; member, Latinas Lead CA
Celestine Palmer, president emeritus, Los Angeles African American Women Political Action Committee (LAAAWPAC)
2:15 - 2:30 p.m. Break (15 min)
2:30 - 3:10 p.m.

The Role of Women in Political Parties: A Bipartisan Conversation
Location: Campus Center East
This discussion will highlight each party's efforts to recruit and train female candidates and the unique roles women play in the party organization. We will hear female leaders of both the Republican and Democratic parties talk about electing more females on both sides of the aisle.

Speakers:
Moderator: Julie Stromberg, National Women’s Political Caucus
Cecilia Cabello, Avance LA Democratic Club
Zaira Cedano, executive director, Los Angeles County Republican Party
Ilissa Gold, president, Miracle Mile Democratic Club
3:10 - 4 p.m. Closing Session
Location: Campus Center East

The California Difference: How to Legislate with Women's Interests at Heart

Some of the largest women’s marches in the nation have taken place in the state of California. Sacramento has responded to this movement by advancing several key policy areas to promote gender equity and enhance the lives of women and girls in California. Listen to the vice chair of the Women’s Caucus, Sen. Connie Leyva, and Sen. Holly Mitchell, who will tell you about the opportunities and challenges facing legislating for females in our state, and how to truly get things done for women and girls!

Speakers:
Sen. Connie Leyva, 20th State Senate District; vice-chair, California Legislative Women's Caucus
Sen. Holly Mitchell, 30th State Senate District

Closing Remarks
Jackie Filla, PhD,  associate professor, History & Political Science Dept., Mount Saint Mary’s University
4 - 5 p.m. President’s Networking Reception
Location: Campus Center East
Network with women who are all about promoting women in politics. Meet some of the event’s speakers, leaders of women’s groups and movers and shakers in local politics. Hors d’oeuvres and wine will be served.