Achieving our Goals

Recognizing that one size does not fit all, a comprehensive training program will be developed in multiple formats including mini-schools, intensive three-day schools, and ongoing courses over a six-week period.

Our training curriculum will focus on two areas: campaign mechanics and leadership development.

·         Creating a campaign plan

·         District and precinct vote analysis

·         Building a campaign committee

·         Fundraising

·         Budgeting

·         Developing and executing a media plan

·         Managing phone banks and writing scripts

·         Direct Mail

·         Voter contact strategies

·         Volunteer recruitment and management

·         Maximizing the power of incumbency

·         How political parties operate

 Leadership development includes:

·         Motivation – Why We Fight!

·         Public speaking

·         Issue education

·         Debate preparation

·         Building confidence

·         Building and leading organizations

·         How to sell one’s vision and inspire people to action

·         Developing a contagious passion for the conservative cause

Weekend Seminars

An intensive three-day campaign school curriculum will be developed and offered numerous times throughout the year at locations across the state. This boot camp of politics will serve as the cornerstone of the training program and will offer graduates a common experience by which to booster their political efforts.

This high-intensity training will recruit professionals at the top of their fields from across the nation to offer our students the highest quality training and knowledge available to give them the winning edge.

Mini Schools

In addition to our high-intensity campaign school, we will also offer mini schools. These single day courses are designed to target a very specific part of an organization, campaign or issue. These schools will provide activists with the tools to fill in the gaps of their local knowledge and experience, thereby increasing their ability, confidence and success. Mini schools will focus on such subjects as fundraising, voter targeting and earned media coverage.

Ongoing Courses
Our continuing education program will include a series of ongoing courses that activists and candidates will attend one night a week for six weeks to further their knowledge of specific areas to increase the effectiveness of their campaign and their ability to organize followers.

Networking and Follow-up

A unique feature of the Minnesota Academy for Conservative Leadership will be the ongoing networking of grassroots activists and program alumni. Continued communication through web-based technologies such as blogs and message boards will be offered and promoted. Proprietary, password protected websites will keep graduates connected to the expertise and resources necessary for their success. Building a long-term coaching relationship between Academy trainers and graduates will be a key ingredient in developing confident and successful leaders.

We will also offer a resume posting and job placement feature on our website to help connect graduates with campaign committees and conservative organizations looking to hire energetic, well-trained political operatives.

Training Facility

MACL will utilize state-of-the-art training facilities to provide first-class training and education to program participants. Our training facility will incorporate a technical school-like atmosphere that will provide our students with all of the necessary equipment to give them the hands-on experience of campaign mechanics necessary to be successful in the political arena.

This will include an interview room where activists and candidates will conduct a recorded interview and later have it analyzed to help them refine media interviews and debates. The facilities will also include group workstations with wireless laptops to allow students to collaborate to produce direct mail, develop campaign plans and create fundraising presentations.

Speaker Series

In conjunction with our training programs we will also host events with conservative leaders to reinforce the rationale for the conservative movement. These speakers will also help activists understand how local leaders fit into the big picture which will create enthusiasm and motivate attendees into conservative action.

Lending Library

A critical component to our alumni relations will be the development of a lending library. This collection of books, tapes, CDs and DVDs will be compiled to provide Academy graduates the opportunity to add to their knowledge and enthusiasm for the conservative cause. Arming our activists with the facts will further enable them to become leaders of the conservative movement in Minnesota.