Have some questions about our signature LGBTQ+ Candidate and Campaign Trainings? Learn more below. For any other questions, reach out to us at training@victoryinstitute.org.
Who is this training for?
LGBTQ+ Victory Institute works to increase LGBTQ+ representation in all levels of public office. We encourage any LGBTQ+ person who has an interest in running for elected office or running political campaigns to sign-up!
Want to learn more? Join one of our Candidate & Campaign Training information sessions. More information can be found here.
What programs do you offer? What is the difference between the Bootcamp and the Academy?
LGBTQ+ Victory Institute hosts two types of Candidate & Campaign Trainings. Our 4-day Bootcamps and our 2-day Academies.
Our Candidate & Campaign Bootcamp Trainings (4-day) are the most comprehensive programs and highly recommended for folks who want a holistic, practical, and hands-on campaign training. Through these 4-day programs, participants will work with groups on a simulation assignment that will build a full campaign plan. This is LGBTQ+ Victory Institute’s signature training. The ideal participants for a Bootcamp training are folks who want to engage and immerse in an incredibly impactful campaign training. Registration for this training includes overnight accommodations and most meals.
Our Candidate & Campaign Academy Trainings (2-day) are an opportunity to build a strong foundation of campaign skills in a condensed amount of time. These informative weekend programs address the brass task of running a successful campaign while allowing participants to build community with other candidates. The ideal participants for an Academy training are folks who may not have capacity to accommodate the full 4-day training (the most recommended program for candidates) but want to get the barebones of putting together a campaign plan. Registration for this training does not include overnight accommodations but covers meals throughout the program.
How much does the training cost?
LGBTQ+ Victory Institute subsidizes all participants’ costs for our training programs. We value lowering the barrier to access so that campaign skills can be attainable for all LGBTQ+ folks looking to run for office.
For all in-person training programs, participants are responsible for booking their own travel to the trainings, any parking costs, and their arrival & departure of the destination.
For our Bootcamp Trainings (4-day), registration fees are all-inclusive to ensure all of our participants have a formative experience. Each registration includes a three-night hotel stay (Thursday through Sunday), transportation to and from the training location (if offsite), most meals throughout the training days, trainer fees, and all program materials. These subsidized registration prices for our trainings range from $400 to $675 depending on room type selection.
For our Academy Trainings (2-day), registration fee is universal for all participants at $175 and includes all trainer fees, program materials, and most meals throughout the program. Participants are responsible for their own overnight accommodations and transportation to the venue. Check with our staff if any discounted hotel room blocks are available.
For virtual trainings, registration may change dependent on the length of the program. Most of our virtual trainings are currently free of charge.
What happens after I submit my online application?
Our staff works hard to build a diverse training cohort and all of our training programs are application-based.
We encourage all prospective trainees to apply by the deadline. After the deadline, our staff reviews applications and lets all applicants know which program they were selected for, whether they have been placed on a waitlist, or whether they are asked to apply for a future program. We do our best to build capacity for as many LGBTQ+ trainees as possible.
Should space be available after the application deadline, we will leave the application open on a rolling basis until the trainings are filled.
For questions about your application, contact us at training@victoryinstitute.org.
If I don’t need a hotel room, is the training cheaper?
For our Bootcamp Trainings (4-day), we ask all trainees to stay in the host hotel as the training includes long days and group work. The registration fees do not change should a participant chooses to not use the training hotel that comes with their registration.
For our Academy Trainings (2-day), participants are responsible for their own overnight accommodations. The training registration fee is universal for all participants.
What if I have a meeting and can’t attend a portion of the training, can I still attend?
We ask all participants to commit to the entirety of the training. Trainees work in groups throughout the program and need to be present and participatory to receive their certificate of completion.
If you know you will be unable to complete the full training ahead of time, we ask that you reschedule your training by contacting us at training@victoryinstititute.org or attempt to move the conflicting appointment. Should a last-minute scheduling conflict arise, please let us know immediately so we can make the right adjustments for your training participation.
What is the dress code for the training?
Our general training dress code is casual. There is a lot of content to cover over the long days so we want you to be comfortable.
We do encourage participants to dress business casual for the opening reception portion of the program. All expressions welcome!
Should I bring a laptop?
Yes! Laptops or tablets will be needed to take notes and access our trainee document portal to view PDF presentations and create deliverables.
I’ve already run for office before, should I really attend this training?
While the basics of building a campaign plan stay the same, you can always learn more about how to successfully run for office. Even if you have run a campaign before, coming into our training with this experience will give you the opportunity to reexamine the content from a new perspective.
I’ve still got a few more questions, who should I contact?
For additional questions, please email us at training@victoryinstitute.org.
How do I apply?
For an application to attend one of our trainings, review our Candidate & Campaign training page for specific locations & applications.
Tell Me About Future Trainings
We can let you know when we announce new Candidate & Campaign Trainings.