OVERVIEW
The more people who have the skills to carry out a campaign and an understanding of the big picture within which you are working, the more likely you are to succeed. Running frequent trainings helps you to achieve this.
Planning training is key to effective recruitment efforts. Invite new volunteers to a training right away. As part of your recruitment planning, you should have a plan for what trainings you want to run to set people up for success.
HOW TO SET UP TRAININGS
Hold trainings on a regular basis. People stay involved because they feel challenged and that they are doing something meaningful. Trainings give people new skills and empower them to take on roles in the campaign.
Plan a training session like an event. Plan it and publicize it. Prepare materials beforehand.
When planning training, consider the following
- Who is your audience? What is their skill level?
- How much time do you have for the training? How will you prioritize?
- What are the key principles you want people to take away from the training? Set a goal and communicate it
- Where will it take place? Ideally somewhere with enough space and privacy for people to break out and practice
- How can you use the training to develop leaders? Ask people to help you run it
Sample training agenda
- Introductions and Agenda
- Campaign Context – what you’re doing and why it’s important
- New Skill – explain why it is important in achieving the campaign goals
- Review the skill – principles and methods
- Demonstrate the skill
- Setup the Roleplay – set goals and expectations
- Practice – have people roleplay the skill (should take the most time)
- Wrap-Up – what did people learn? Questions? Tips?