In the beginning of the year former candidate for Congress, Steve Young, posted his opinion on training progressives. He’s right. We don’t have the training infrastructure that the GOP has. In fact, they’ve been ahead of us for years.
But all that’s changing. You might have noticed in Steve’s and other posts how many people commenting here on Kos have been to a progressive training. Progressive training organizations are undergoing a small revolution – we’re growing, we’re multiplying, and we’re even (gasp) coordinating.
The successes of Wellstone Action, the Center for Progressive Leadership, and the DFA Training Academy (where I work) are just a few examples of grassroots, professionals, and donors all recognizing the need to invest in our own infrastructure. Killer messages, vaunted GOTV plans, and piles of money, don’t just appear. Someone has to make it happen. Being able to run a good campaign is a skill and like any skill, we’ve got to train to master it.
I agree with Steve, and others, who have posted here about training. Frankly, progressives don’t have enough access to professional campaign training. Organizations (like mine) are working hard to fill that need. Campaign trainings aren’t as sexy as the campaigns themselves, but they’re important to the long-term growth of the movement.
And, okay – no surprise here – the MSM and the pundits just don’t get it. That’s fine with me, really. James Carville will never be a trainer at a DFA Training (sorry, James).
The important thing is that the grassroots do get it. I can’t speak for the other progressive training organizations, but I can tell you that the DFA Training Academy has grown by leaps and bounds. From our pioneering online Night School program to our frenetic travel schedule, the DFA Training Academy has made a point of equipping the grassroots activists all over the country with a serious, professional set of skills. This year - a so-called "off" year - is the season to train. So, the DFA Training Academy is doubling its reach this year. Waiting until 2008 is not an option.
I sent out an email through DFA’s list announcing the first 17 trainings of the year. We'll soon add Virginia (Late May) and we’re adding still more states to the list (talking with Washington, Georgia, Michigan, and others), and we've opened up the process to requests from grassroots activists. This year DFA has teamed up with other organizations, such as SEIU, to maximize our impact.
In case you didn’t get our email, here’s the list so far:
Manchester, NH January 27-28
Las Vegas, NV February 10-11
Houston, TX March 3-4
Columbia, SC March 17-18
Cedar Rapids, IA March 24-25
Jackson, MS March 30 – April 1
Columbia, MO April 14-15
Austin, TX April 21-22
Knoxville, TN April 28-29
Bloomington, IN May 12-13
Baton Rouge, LA June 2-3
Salt Lake City, UT June 16-17
Albany, NY June 23-24
Tampa, FL June 30 – July 1
Frankfort, KY July 7 -8
Sacramento, CA July 14-15
Orange County, CA July 21-22