One of the most important aspects of GOTV (Get Out The Vote) is canvassing. This can take the form of setting up a table at the local farmers market, walking door to door, open house events, phone banking, zoom meet ups, and social media. This outreach could be a pure nonpartisan activity just to register or assist voters or it could be part of a political campaign.
I’m sure every organization has scripts, pamphlets, handouts, data collection surveys, and talking points that will be used to prepare the team before they hit the streets. I want to add to these resources the skill of Reflective Listening and a simple intro script to your GOTV tool kit. The skill is learned through participating in an Empathy Circle and a sample script follows.
Sample Script For Telephone Canvassing
“Hello, can I speak to (voter's name) please? Hello (voter's name) my name is (name). I'm calling on behalf of (organization). I'm calling to find out your views on the (One issue only).” The voter then says something.
This Is Where The Script Changes
After the voter finishes up speaking to that one point, rather than moving to the next talking point the canvasser reflects what the voter said. For example this is how canvasser reflects. “Thank you. I hear you saying you haven't made up your mind on this issue.” Or, “Yes, I hear you saying you do not trust my candidate.” The canvasser would also reflect other details on what they heard the voter say.
The reflection might be word for word. Or, it just might be a summary. But the reflection is sincere and non-judgemental. Also, if the voter will not stop speaking it is OK to say. Hey, let me make sure I understand you. Then canvasser reflects.
Then full stop. The canvasser then waits for the voter to speak again. And they most certainly will. And the canvasser reflects again. This process of giving the voter an opportunity to feel heard allows the canvasser to size up the voter and decide on the next actions. And it builds an initial trust in the voter. Often the best segue is not reflecting but offering up an agreement on some point. After reflecting a bit and listening to the voter often they will say something you can agree with.
It is at this point that you should have a feel if it is worth your time to continue. If they are absolutely opposed to your effort it is time to thank them and say good by. Or, at this time you might launch into your prepared script and talking points.
Following this simple process makes your team’s job easier. It solves the initial starting problem of effective canvassing by letting the voter feel heard. And when this occurs there is a better chance that they will listen to you or vote for your candidate or ballet measure.
So how do we train to be good reflective listeners? Well, jump the fold and I will introduce you to the process of empathy circles that can train you to be a good reflective listener. And as a bonus empathy circles can be used to build team unity and solidarity.
Our free facilitator training course starts August 5, 2023. Join us on Zoom Saturdays at 10 AM PDS for two-hour sessions. Our Facilitator training course has 4 meetings. Visit www.bestempathytraining.com to enroll.
Whether phone banking, tabling, knocking on doors, or managing a team of canvassers the simple practice of reflective listening can significantly increase your results. How can one start to learn to how be a good reflective listener? Attend a two hour Empathy Circle is the answer.
If you click the link it will bring you the Empathy Circle Schedule that lists about 50 circles that anyone is free to visit with the supplied Zoom link. At the start of the circle reflective listening is demonstrated. Also, a time sharing structure is observed so everyone gets an equal amount of time to speak and reflect.
A Empathy Circle is usually a group of up to 5 or 6 individuals that agree to take turns speaking and reflective listening. A facilitator does the introduction, announces the simple guidelines, and keeps the time for each speaker. And most importantly the facilitator makes sure the circle is a safe space where all collaborate and feel comfortable.
The facilitator starts out by asking who would like to speak. And when someone volunteers facilitator starts the timer. The speaker says a thought and the facilitator reflects the thought back. A back and forth continues for between 3 and 5 minutes as agreed upon at the start of the circle.
I would recommend the following circle as a good starting place to learn about, experience, and practice reflective listening. The topic is a open discussion about what the community in-visions an empathy based retreat center can contribute to building a culture of empathy. And, everyone is invited just talk about whatever is on their mind. This is from the Empathy Circle Schedule.
Topic: ‘What is your vision for an empathy based retreat center at 1964 Las Canoas Rd, Santa Barbara?
Drop-in: Everyone Welcome
Date: Every Saturday
Time: 10am PST/ 1pm EST / 7pm CET
Length: 2 hours
Location: Zoom https://zoom.us/j/9896109339
More at: https://bit.ly/3Z1iYIX
From: Empathy Circle Schedule
The first visit to a circle will teach your logical mind how it all works, but to internalize and feel comfortable about reflective listening it takes practice. Initially it is a bit of cognitive hard work reflecting. We to try in figure out how we plan to respond. Rather than putting our full attention just on listening followed by a sincere reflection. It takes a bit of practice to reflect authenticity without judgement!
In closing I want mention that political campaign staff and other political leaders in the community can benefit from facilitator training. From my own experience, as a “Data Captain” for 2012 Obama for President campaign We got started about 10 months before the election.
By April I was training groups, leading meeting, and running the phone banks. We were calling into southern states from California. It was a GOTV effort building the voter database and looking for volunteers to put together a on the ground team. Over the year I met with 100s of small groups.
I know, looking back, my time served would have been much easier if I used reflective listening to build collaboration opportunities and used circles when I needed to resolve a group issue with equal input from the group.
If you would like to sign up for our August 5 to 26th, 2023 or our October 7 to 28th, 2023 courses please visit www.bestempathytraining.com to enroll. Note that there is a prerequisite of attending two empathy circles before taking the facilitator training class.
Jonathan Gordon
