Before anything else, you do the work of knowing who you are. Distill your core values, articulate your leadership mission, and understand your shadow mission — the version of yourself that can emerge when you lose your footing. Voters don't vote for résumés; they vote for people they trust. This is where that trust is built.

Your story — who you are, who your community is, and why this moment matters — is your most powerful campaign tool. You'll develop your public narrative, practice it with peers, and receive direct feedback from experienced advisors. You leave with a working version you can use from day one of your race.

Understanding what a race actually requires is foundational. You'll research the offices you're considering — what it costs to win, how many votes it takes, what getting your name on the ballot involves. This is where aspiration meets reality, and where your planning gets serious.

Your network is the most important asset your campaign will have. You'll begin organizing it with intention. Asking for money is a skill — and one that feels different once you understand what you're actually inviting people to do. You'll develop your fundraising approach, practice making the ask with expert guidance, and find a frame that's honest: you're not soliciting donations; you're giving people the chance to invest in the future they believe in.

The harder-to-teach skill: how to show up as a candidate. Holding a room, telling your story under pressure, projecting the kind of presence that makes people want to follow you — this is where you practice all of it.

Hear directly from a servant leader who ran for office and won. An invaluable opportunity to ask questions — you'll get to hear from someone who was in your shoes and understands what it takes to serve again through politics.