Local government elections will be held in B.C. on Oct. 15.
In order to help people who are considering running for local office or working on campaigns, a local Campaign School will be held in April and May.
The first two sessions will be held via Zoom on Saturday April 23 and April 30 from 2 to 4 p.m. These sessions are open to anyone and the fee is $20 for both classes.
Topics include: Why run?; Introduction to local governments on the Coast; How to run a campaign; Dealing with media and social media; Campaign speeches; Ethics and conflict of interest and more.
The lineup of presenters includes former MP Pamela Goldsmith-Jones, public speaking coach Joanna Piros, Squamish Mayor Karen Elliott, Port McNeil Mayor Gaby Wikstrom and local elected officials from the SCRD, shíshálh Nation, Town of Gibsons, District of Sechelt and School District 46.
The final segment of the Campaign School is open to women only and will be held on Sunday May 15 from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Roberts Creek Golf Course. The $15 fee includes light refreshments. A panel of local elected women will share their experiences and answer questions from attendees.
Although Canadian women won the right to run for all elected offices in 1929, gender parity has still not been reached. In B.C., more men than women continue to run in local elections, and only one quarter of mayors are women.
Local Government Campaign School is also looking for sponsors to help defray costs, so that money is not a barrier for people who want to attend.
“I have attended and presented at campaign schools for 30 years,” said Pamela Goldsmith-Jones, former MP and former Mayor of West Vancouver. “We are all volunteers, helping one another. This is a wise investment of your time and precious resources.”
Register or donate here https://www.eventbrite.com/e/local-election-campaign-school-tickets-300225712187
