BLOG for ADVOCATES

We created this blog to share interesting advocacy related items that cross our desks. It can be anything from new research on funding for advocacy to examples of unusual advocacy strategies. If you have an item to share please send it to npaction@npaction.org.
NPAction Staff

Friday, January 04, 2008

Voter TechKit Offers Valuable Insight on Voter Engagement

The Progressive Technology Project has developed a new Voter Tech Kit website for community organizers, technology support people, and funders who are interested in learning more about how to increase and sustain civic participation. The Voter TechKit has been designed to give visitors information on all the aspects of a voter engagement or voter education campaign, with particular emphasis on the the data management piece. The website also includes videos of long-time community organizers describing the value of voter engagement to strengthening their organizations and describing their secrets to success.

The website is divided into the following sections:

In the Introduction section, learn about the history of voter engagement and what makes the integrated voter engagement model different from traditional voter turnout projects.
In Project Planning , learn how Voter TechKit contributors put together their 501(c)(3) voter education and turnout projects with an emphasis on what works and some comments on what doesn't.
In Field Organizing, look over all the major components of the field work of a voter project. Most community organizers are familiar with field organizing, but there are distinct differences to field work in the voter engagement work that are worth noting.
In Data Management,learn about the practical realities of managing all the data that is culled from a typical project. Data management for integrated voter engagement is still more of an art than a routine activity. Includes some insights on future directions for community organizations.
And finally, in Resources, peruse lists of sample resources to get started on your own project, as well as a list of links to other sources of information.

Posted by Katie Clabby