Women in Politics - Part 5 - Establishing a Budget
by ROCHELLE A. SHENK

After you make the commitment to run for office, you'll need to establish a budget for your campaign as well as establish a network of campaign assistants.

As you assess the cost of the campaign, remember to include costs for printing and mailing literature; creating signs, banners, pins and bumper stickers; TV and print ads, and other items. Remember that you'll need to get your message out to voters, so prepare to spend time at candidate's forums, community events that may include local fairs and farm shows, and be available to respond to media opportunities.

You'll also want to consider some fundraising options-you may need to create your own fundraiser and you may also want to investigate other funding sources such as through your party. Some organizations such as The White House Project and Winning With Women in Pennsylvania provide other assistance to women entering the political arena.

The White House project is a national non-partisan, non-profit, progressive organization dedicated to advancing women's leadership and fostering the entry of women into all positions of leadership, including the United States' Presidency (hence the name of the organization).

The organization offers Go Run, a weekend long training program designed to teach women the basic skills involved in running a campaign and being a candidate. The training provides the nuts and bolts of running for political office by focusing on the core areas of communications, fundraising, campaigning and the unique barriers that women face. The cost of Go Run is $100, and training sessions are held in Colorado, Georgia, Minnesota and Washington. For further information, please check out the organization's website: www.voterunlead.org.

Winning With Women in Pennsylvania is another resource Republican would-be candidates may want to consider. The organization's founder, Christine Toretti Olson, is the Republican National Committeewoman for Pennsylvania, a champion of women's issues, corporate and community board member, CEO of S.W. Jack Drilling company, and the mother of three sons. In a message on the organization's website (www.pagop4women.org), she explains that Winning With Women in Pennsylvania is an initiative to enhance the role of Republican women in Pennsylvania politics, government and public policy.

In February 2001, the Anne B. Anstine Excellence in Public Service Series was founded. This statewide training program prepares women for increased political involvement. Bernadette "Bernie" Comfort, executive director of Winning With Women in Pennsylvania, explained that the Anstine series involves monthly leadership sessions-participants meet once a month, and each month the group meets in a different part of the state. "The series provides women with skills, knowledge and network to meet a 10-month campaign schedule. It's much larger than just running for office, it runs the whole gamut of government," she explained. As for meeting in different locations, "there are women leaders throughout the Commonwealth."

One of the sessions, called "Politics 101," focuses on fundraising, working with the media, and getting your message out. "This session is particularly helpful when a candidate is organizing her campaign. She will walk away with an understanding of how to run a campaign as well as the role of volunteers and keeping them motivated; volunteers are critical to a campaign," Comfort remarked.

She noted that in the first three years, 58 women from 38 counties have graduated from the series. "These women have gained the skills and knowledge to achieve more as well as an increased self-awareness and access to a political network," Comfort said.

This year Winning With Women in Pennsylvania not only has offered the Anstine series, but also a one-day conference that was held in Hershey in June. Comfort explained that the one-day event, which was attended by over 300 women, focused on elements from the Anstine series. Winning With Women has received a lot of requests to repeat the one-day seminar; information about it will be posted on the organization's website.

Now that the Anstine series has several graduating classes, Winning With Women is organizing a mentoring program in which each participant in the class will be assigned to a specific mentor-mentors and participants will be matched based on similar goals.

The Pennsylvania Women's Campaign Fund is a registered political action committee (PAC). It is the only organization in the State devoted to supporting progressive women candidates for election to the legislature-that support is realized by making contributions to endorsed candidates' campaigns and by publicizing their candidacies. The organization supports female political candidates who subscribe to the principals of equality embodied in the ERA, are pro-choice, and are progressive on other social issues.

Martha Lester Harris, who has been involved with the organization since its inception in 1982, currently serves as its president. She explained that the Pennsylvania Women's Campaign fund is similar to Emily's List except that it supports progressive candidates regardless of party affiliation. "The common goal that we all share is the need to move Pennsylvania from the bottom tier of states in women in government. We foster the election of women in the legislature-we raise funds to support them financially and also provide volunteer power to get out the vote," she said.

In 1997, the organization started a Campaign School, a hands-on boot camp for progressive women candidates and those who are exploring a candidacy. Graduates leave the School armed with strategy, budgets, staffing methods and improved fundraising techniques. This past summer a Campaign School called "The Winning Edge" was held at Chatham College, Pittsburgh. It was co-sponsored by the college's Pennsylvania Center for Women, Politics and Public Policy. "Politics has changed-the cost of running for office is very expensive. The number one cost factor in anyone's campaign is the cost of media. What this means is that fundraising is constant," Harris explained.

The Pennsylvania Women's Campaign Fund has organized a Campaign School that will be held in Lancaster on the campus of Franklin & Marshall College, January 12 - 14, 2006. Nationally known political consultants Diane Cromer and Betsy Crone will facilitate. For more information about the event, call 866.956.9254.

Harris also noted that the Pennsylvania Women's Campaign Fund provides support for candidates in both the primary and general elections. Support is determined through an application process. One of the organization's board members and a graduate of a Campaign School, Cherelle Parker, was elected on September 13 to fill an unexpired term in the 200th district of the House of Representatives. Harris was very excited for her, "That's what our organization is all about; working together to support other women." She noted that last year there were a record number of women running for the state legislature, and women gained one seat. It's good that women gained one seat, but it could have been better.

Government needs leaders from different backgrounds in order to be able to address the complex and inter-related concerns at the local, state and federal level. Go for it!

Bernadette Comfort
executive director of Winning With Women in Pennsylvania

What is your political background?
I was previously the Associate Dean of Students at Chatham College, a women's college in Pittsburgh. In this position I performed leadership programming. I was at Chatham in 1998 when the college founded what is now known as the Pennsylvania Center for Women, Politics and Public Policy. It was there that I met Winning With Women in Pennsylvania's founder Christine Toretti. I'm still involved in administration, educating and promoting women.

What is your advice to women considering a political career?
Know what you stand for and develop the skills you need. Give to both men and women: be consistent, be accountable, know your party leaders, and find the right mentor.

Martha Harris
President of the Pennsylvania's Women's Campaign Fund

What is your political background?
I served for five years in the Cabinet of former Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge, as COO of the Team Pennsylvania Human Resources Investment Council, Advisor to the Governor's Office for Workforce Development, Deputy Secretary for Workforce and Technology, and Deputy Secretary for Trade, Technology and Economic Development. Additionally, I have served as a Harvard University Research Fellow, Press Secretary to United States Senator John Heinz and associate director of Pennsylvania's Washington office under former Governor Dick Thornburgh.

What is your advice to women considering a political career?
GO FOR IT. Don't be apologetic about your background, experience or credentials. Women have an innate capacity to listen and seek consensus - two essential skills in politics. Build a coalition of support while running for office that can translate into networks for action when you are elected. A great example is newly elected Representative Cherelle Parker (d) 200th district.

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