Register for the July 8-11 CRISP Political Boot Camp & Media Training
Do you have what it takes to be successful in the political arena?
CRISP Political Boot Camp will put you on the path to a successful political journey
Jumpstart Your Political Career
Looking to Run for Political Office?
Looking to Manage or Work on a Political Campaign?
Do You Want to be a Spokesperson for a Candidate or a Cause?
2018 Political Boot Camp Program
For Information contact Dr. Charles E Lewis, Jr. celewisjr@gmail.com or 917-570-3116
REGISTRATION: Tuition for the Political Boot Camp is $750 per individual. The Early Bird Registration Fee of $700 is available for those who register on or before May 31, 2019. A nonrefundable deposit of $200 will reserve a place for you. Tuition includes all meals during the four-day training. Tuition does not include lodging. Full tuition must be received prior to attending the Boot Camp. Space is limited.
LODGING: A limited number of dorm rooms are available for Sunday through Tuesday nights at $75.00 per night, plus tax and fees. Rooms are double-occupancy and occupants can share the cost of the dormitory room. Additional lodging will be available at the Hilton Homewood Suites at NOMA Union Station, 501 New York Avenue, NE, Washington, DC 20002. Attendees are not required to stay on the campus although it is recommended to get the most out of the experience.
2018 Political Boot Camp and Media Training Planning Team
During the Boot Camp, you will get intensive training in:
Accounting/Budgeting: It takes money to run for political office but as important as 
raising money is knowing how to spend wisely. You must know the rules and regulations for managing campaign funds or you could windup with legal as well as political battles.
Building Your Network: To be an effective candidate, campaign manager or spokesperson, you must have people who are paying attention to you and what you are saying. These people should be telling others about you. Knowing how to build a network is essential to campaign success.
Campaign Fundraising: Convincing supporters to give you money to run a political campaign is a challenging task. You must know who to ask and how to ask. Learn the ins and outs of online fundraising and other strategies for getting the resources you will need for a successful campaign.
Crafting a Policy Agenda: As a candidate, campaign strategist or spokesperson people want to know what will you do to improve their lives if you are elected. They want to know about the big picture but are really concerned about laws and regulation that impact them on a daily basis.
Getting on the Ballot: The idea of putting your name on a ballot for even the lowest level electoral office can be a daunting experience because there are so many things to consider and so many details you must address. Learn how to approach making this first important step in your political career.
Get Out the Vote (GOTV): GOTV is arguably the most important element of any political campaign. Voter registration and education are important but if you register voters and they do not show up at the polls, you are not getting the results you need. Learn proven strategies for maximizing your vote count.
Interviewing and Debating: As a candidate, strategist, and spokesperson, your ability to stay on message and respond to questions can make the difference between winning and losing. Spinning doesn’t mean winning. Dodging questions or failing to respond credibly could ruing your chances of being successful.
Leadership Skills: There is an old saying that if you are supposed to be leading and nobody is following then you’re just out for a walk. Charisma and respect are key traits of effective leaders. All leaders are born with these skills. Learn how to develop the attitude and habits that will get people to support you.
Media and Social Media: Getting your ideas and message into the public discussion will go a long way in making you a credible candidate, strategist or spokesperson. Today’s media is a dynamic environment. Throw away the old public relations books and learn the tools and techniques needed in today media world.
Messaging: It is not just what you are saying, it is how you are saying it. Words can be your most effective tool if you know how to craft messages that resonate with voters. Storytelling is an artform that can be employed in getting your messages across. It’s not what you’re saying; it’s what they’re hearing that matters.
Opposition Research: There is a difference between deceptive messages towards an opponent and giving a full assessment of your opponent. Any person’s track record is fair game. Or is it? Remember, it works both ways. So you must do opposition research on yourself as well as your opponent. Learn the ethics of telling it like it is.
Polling and Using Data: Knowing how to use data is critical to a successful campaign. Learn the latest techniques and trends in collecting and analyzing data that are necessary for decision-making in a campaign..
Public Speaking: So you were not gifted with the oratorical skills of President Barack Obama. There are techniques you can learn that will make your speeches resonate with your audience. Learn how your speeches can inform, educate and motivate.
Reaching Young Audiences: Millennials represent the largest voting block in the American electorate. Getting their attention and buy-in for your candidacy is necessary to maximize your vote potential. If you are a Millennial, do not take it for granted that you know how to deliver an effective political message to young voters.
Speech Writing/Writing for Campaigns: There are tried and true techniques for crafting a memorable speech. You want people to remember something you said and not just the flubs. Craft messages and Tweets that command attention.
Voter Registration: If you are not the incumbent, the more new voters you able to bring into the process, the better your chances are for having a successful campaign. Learn the most effective strategies for getting new voters registered and energized.
