Introduction

Executive Summary

Genesis/Planning

Components

Lessons Learned

Planning Your Public Service Candidate School

Meeting Logistics | Adult Learning Principals | Marketing | Timelines

The Battle Creek Area Chamber of Commerce Candidate Development Committee started planning in November 1999 for the Public Service Program in 2000.

Items you'll need to cover in the initial planning stages:

• Election Time - (see Timelines section) to determine dates to hold sessions in the following year.
• Determine your course of action - school board or elected positions you want to cover (i.e. city or county commission - dependent upon election time line for upcoming year) and session dates (we used filing deadlines and then back up the sessions dates). We wanted participants to have all the information prior to the filing deadline, in order for them to make an informed decision.
• Program sponsors - The Battle Creek Area Chamber had four Chamber member businesses sponsor the series at $250.00/per sponsor. Program sponsorship covered advertising in local newspaper, community weekly paper and course handouts (i.e. Robert's Rule of Order books).

Determining Speakers/Panel members to Invite:

• We have several community and business leaders on the Candidate Development Committee as well as Chamber staff members knowledgeable about the issues facing the community. Potential speakers and panel members are discussed at the Committee level. We look for experienced, current or past politicians/school board members. We did not invite incumbents to be part of the program if they were seeking reelection.
• We looked for diverse speakers and panel members (gender, race, political philosophy, etc.) to participate in the series.
• Staff would make the initial contact to a potential panel member or speaker. If the person agreed to participate, a follow-up letter with details would be faxed (or mailed) to them along with the session agenda. Please see sample template
• Controversial issues - the Chamber would seek speakers on both sides of issues (i.e. proposed ballot initiative at the state level that would have an impact on local units of government). We left it to the participants to determine their positions on issues. The Public Service Candidate School was marketed as an opportunity for individuals to learn more about the local political process.