Election school lessons: How political tactics can make you a winner at life

My car turns off Nova Scotia's busy Bedford Highway, the winding road leading through the hilly campus of Mount Saint Vincent University in Halifax. It's a brisk Friday afternoon and I'm headed to a three-day workshop billed as Atlantic Canada's first ever campaign school for women.

I was intrigued to discover the lessons and skills aspiring female politicians would learn at the three-day campaign school, coordinated by the university and the Nova Scotia Advisory Council on the Status of Women. But I was also curious to see if these "rules for winning" could apply to everyday life -- to achieving one's dreams, political or not.Workshop #1: Why are you running -- and what for?
Sitting at a long table at the front of a big-windowed room overlooking the Halifax harbour is a panel of current and retired Nova Scotia politicians. They're here to discuss their decisions to run for political office.

"It wasn't made easily," says Debbie Hum, a councillor in the Halifax Regional Municipality. A stay-at-home mom in her mid-40s, she had tossed the notion around for several years, questioning whether anyone would vote for her. But with the help of a political mentor and a supportive family, she began to see that her volunteer work, which had become a full-time commitment, was an ideal training ground for politics.

The question of why people decide to run politically is one of the hardest to answer, says Eleanor Norrie, a former provincial cabinet minister. Is it public recognition, she asks? Is it public responsibility, or the need to help others? Whatever the reason, she urges, "If this is what you want to do with your life, don't give up."

Lesson 1: Identify the values most important to you, set goals consistent with those values, then commit yourself to them.
In other words, it's important for us all to do a little soul searching: to reflect on what we really believe in and what we're willing to stand up for.

Workshop #2: Put together a winning team
Lisa Manninger, a communications coordinator with Nova Scotia's government caucus office, makes it clear that the more people you can recruit, the merrier. This means reaching out and drawing in as many different people as possible.

Sure, it's a lot of work, says Tracey Preeper, a Dartmouth, N.S., resident who has worked on several election campaigns over the past 20 years. Preeper's list of the types of people you need includes the visionary, the pragmatist, the bean counter and the cheerleader. "The first mistake people make is to think that all you have to do is bring family and friends together and the campaign will fall into place," says Preeper. "Usually this doesn't work. You have to take a businesslike approach."

Lesson 2: To get what you want in life, you need to equip yourself with the necessary resources.
You can't do it alone. If you're going to see your dream become a reality -- whether it's to create your own business, go back to school or save for a cottage -- you're going to need a team of dedicated, talented people behind you.

Ask yourself: Do I need a mentor? Who among my friends and family has the expertise that I lack -- be it something practical such as financial savvy or something esoteric such as courage and risk-taking? Who could teach me? Do I know like-minded women who are at the same crossroads in life and who would be up for an exchange of support and advice?

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Workshop #3: Stick to your story and expect the unexpected
We're entertained in a "media scrum" session with some spirited role-playing facilitated by Margaret McGee, a former national TV reporter. Arlene MacDonald from Little Harbour, N.S., leaves behind her real job as executive director of Planned Parenthood Pictou County and steps for a few moments into the prime minister's shoes.

Standing in front of TV cameras and microphones, she faces a salvo of hard-hitting questions from a group of aggressive reporters. It's not easy, but MacDonald remains calm and focused. The point, says McGee, is to successfully take control of the situation and not allow the media to hijack her agenda.

The following session is on door-to-door canvassing, which could arguably be called the queen of all campaign skills. It's where the political hopeful meets the voter and the most important question gets asked: "Can I count on your vote?" A false door has been set up in the classroom. With actors from the Theatre Arts Guild playing everyone from a grumpy old man to an apathetic student, the women take turns knocking on the door. Not knowing who is behind the closed door, we each try our best to make a connection with whomever it proves to be. The goal is to secure as many votes as possible.

Carolyn Bolivar-Getson, Nova Scotia's minister of human resources and the only woman currently sitting at the provincial cabinet table, is on hand to coach. Lesson 3: Stick to your goals and dreams in spite of distractions or resistance.
It's a cold truth: there will be forces at play that can hijack your game plan. There will be naysayers who disagree with you, or even close friends or family members who simply do not understand -- or are unaware of -- your goal. The message here is twofold: be ready for obstacles; but also make sure that you clearly communicate your goals to those around you. And think of challenges -- such as a media scrum -- as gifts; they will force you to be clear.
Sometimes, as when canvassing door to door, you may need to sell your dream to complete strangers. Don't be discouraged when people aren't receptive. Simply knock on another door.

Workshop #4: What you need is a plan
Kerry Munro, a bubbly mother of two from Truro, N.S., stands at the front of the room, surrounded by her supportive team, and gives a spirited speech. Munro's pitch is just one part of the mock political campaign plan, which all teams in the room have developed, complete with a platform, budgets and advertising scheme. A panel of politicians and political insiders critiques each presentation, commenting on everything from unrealistic advertising spending plans to the position of the candidate's name on campaign signs.

Lesson 4: You can't rely on chance to reach your goals; you need to plan.
Dreams, desires and emotional drive are all wonderful, but they're only part of the formula. It's important to not only match your goals to your resources but also develop a strategy that you think will work -- even if it changes later on. Sit down now and sketch out your plan. It needn't be perfect, but it's an essential first step.

Workshop #5: Getting there
Although getting to election day could take years, every day of work counts. At the end of the weekend, Arlene MacDonald still hasn't made a decision to run for office, but she says she feels terrific for just having taken part in the workshop and sharing her hopes, fears and experiences with other like-minded women.

Lesson 5: The route you take in life is as important as your destination.
Although your goals motivate you and guide you through life, it's not just reaching them that determines the quality and richness of your life; what does is your route and the choices you make along the way.

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