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This has been another wild week ... and another week of wilding.
"Nobel-prize nominee" Stacey Abrams made media headlines with the bizarre claim that voter ID leads to police violence.We filed a new round of responses in our lawsuit against Abrams' group Fair Fight (Fair Fight sued us claiming voter suppression over elector challenges in Georgia, we then countersued Fair Fight on behalf of Georgia voters who endured Abrams-led harassment for asserting their right to participate in elector challenges).The Maricopa County AZ election audit started, stopped, and started again (check out our live stream of the audit). Hundreds of CEOs and celebrities doubled-down on doublethink with new election propaganda (lying that the need for election integrity is based on a lie).We continued development of new tools and training to empower voters and partner organizations - yay Team True the Vote!I spent several days talking with and preparing materials for law enforcement to further ongoing investigations based on information we've uncovered (not yet made public because it would undermine active efforts). And, as has been the case for months now, we painfully watched as others make election claims that we cannot, we will not, support, knowing that it will all play out in due course.
Yes, American election-drama has become a bizarre reality show.
Which brings me to the point of my message...it's time to unplug. Maybe you already have, and if so, I'm glad to hear it. But if you haven't, as a friend I'm telling you, unplug lest you burn out.
Don't get burned out. There is too much work to be done in the days ahead.
We face very real problems in our elections. Vote trafficking is organized and happening nationwide. Foreign countries have been given unfettered access to confidential election information and control operations in ways we can prove and will soon reveal. And the common denominator of the corruption, at the core of every grift, are voter rolls riddled with bad records. That's what we're working on now, all of it and more. Through the noise of frivolous lawsuits, hyperbolic claims, and political pettiness ... there are real, provable crimes that will be exposed. A trickle of indictments have started (in Arizona) but it takes time - and will continue to take time, longer than we would like, but necessary to get all the facts straight.
What you can do right now is help support election integrity legislation in your state. Check out info below on how to engage. In the next few months there will be new projects we'd like to work with you on. And I give you my word, we will reveal corruption the likes of which you've never seen. Right now is not the time for headlines, but that time is coming and when it does we will publish it here first.
There will be more wild weeks ahead. Keep your bearings. We're all in this together. And working together, we the people, only we the people, can true the vote.
We can.
Ever onward -
PS. You are stronger than you know. You are here for such a time. Keep the faith.

CLASSES AVAILABLE…..

I have four great tech-related workshops for you this week and next.

These two will help you take control of your online data – both privacy and security. BONUS – my colleague Stephen designed the workshops so us non-techy people can understand them too!
Tools and Tactics for Internet Privacy Cyber Security for Activists
And, if you want to be more tech effective for your campaign or org, you should check out these two:Video Editing for Politics Voter Contact Phone Programs and Get-Out-the-Vote
As always, I have many more invaluable trainings below on jobs, communications, MORE campaigns, and even some international updates from Ecuador and El Salvador. Enjoy!

Monday, April 26
Student Journalism Training
This workshop is a no-cost, comprehensive, and fun training. You'll not only learn how to launch your career, but you'll also have a chance to put your questions to accomplished journalists who have mentored hundreds of student journalists.
When: Monday, April 26 | 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM EDT
Where: Online
Cost: No Cost!

Tuesday, April 27
Digital Download: Tools and Tactics for Internet Privacy
In today's increasingly digital world, it is important you take control of your online data and be deliberate about what you share online. In this one-hour training, you will specifically learn safe practices combined with effective tools to minimize the chances of your information being compromised.
When: Tuesday, April 27 | 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM EDT
Where: Online
Cost: No Cost!

Campaign Academy: Session 10 - Voter Contact: Direct Mail and Scripts
This premier campaign training program provides future candidates, campaign managers, and staff with the tools and information necessary to build and execute a successful campaign with a strong grassroots organization and an effective strategy.
When: Every Tuesday, April 27 - May 11 | 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM EDT
Where: Online
Cost: $25 per session!

Wednesday, April 28
Video Editing for Politics
Leadership Institute's Video Editing for Politics workshop will give you a foundation in video editing and basic animation with motion graphics. This workshop is designed to be at a 101 level, so you'll get an introduction and solid foundation in Premiere.
When: Wednesday, April 28 | 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM EDT
Where: Online
Cost: $20

Thursday, April 29
Campaign Advancement Workshop
This workshop will demystify the work of advancement and offer you tools to work in a high-paced environment. Learn from faculty who've worked on every scale of advancement -- from press conferences and corporate conventions to star-studded product launches and presidential campaigns.
When: Thursday, April 29 | 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM EDT
Where: Online
Cost: $20

On-Camera Television Workshop
You’ll be coached through two rounds of mock interviews and receive personalized critiques and feedback on how to better tailor your message for TV. Individuals who attend the on-camera workshop receive footage of their performance.
When: Thursday, April 29 | 1:30 PM – 4:30 PM EDT
Where: Online
Cost: $50 until 4/27/21

Friday, April 30
Campaign Report with the Leadership Institute and UPLA: Ecuador and El Salvador
Join the Union of Latin American Parties (UPLA) and the Leadership Institute for an update on campaign and election results in Ecuador and El Salvador. In this live webinar, you will hear from campaign experts from Ecuador and El Salvador.
When: Friday, April 30 | 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM EDT
Where: Online
Cost: No Cost!

Professional Development Series: Law School and Clerking Internships
Join the Leadership Institute for the Spring Professional Development Series. In this workshop, you will learn if law school is right for you, what it takes to get into law school, and how to find those coveted internships and clerkships. This series is geared towards interns and entry-level employees.
When: Friday, April 30 | 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM EDT
Where: Online
Cost: No Cost!

Tuesday, May 4
Public Speaking Workshop with Alice Stewart
Learn professional public speaking techniques from Alice Stewart, former Communications Director for the presidential campaigns of Sen. Ted Cruz, Gov. Mike Huckabee, Sen. Rick Santorum, and Rep. Michele Bachmann. You'll receive practical lessons and personalized feedback and participate in in-class exercises to make you a better, more confident public speaker.
When: Tuesday, May 4 | 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM EDT
Where: Online
Cost: $50 until 5/2/21

Campaign Academy: Session 11 - Voter Contact Phone Programs and Get-Out-the-Vote
This premier campaign training program provides future candidates, campaign managers, and staff with the tools and information necessary to build and execute a successful campaign with a strong grassroots organization and an effective strategy.
When: Every Tuesday, May 4 - May 11 | 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM EDT
Where: Online
Cost: $25 per session!

Wednesday, May 5
Advanced Public Speaking Workshop with Rick Tyler
Rick Tyler is a political news analyst, speaker, author, communications consultant, and political strategist. In this workshop, you'll learn advanced message construction and delivery. You'll receive practical lessons and personalized feedback and participate in in-class exercises to make you a better, more confident public speaker.
When: Wednesday, May 5 | 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM EDT
Where: Online
Cost: $75 until 5/3/21

Cyber Security for Activists
Online security and cybersecurity have been in the headlines constantly. In this practical, easy-to-follow training from Leadership Institute and EliteSafe Inc., you'll get an introduction to online security for non-technical people, i.e. you don't have to be a "tech person" to follow it.
When: Wednesday, May 5 | 1:00 AM – 4:00 PM EDT
Where: Online
Cost: No Cost!

Friday, May 7
Professional Development Series: Jobs in Policy
Join the Leadership Institute for the Spring Professional Development Series. In this workshop, you will learn how to find jobs in the policy field and how to make your application for them stand-out. This series is geared towards interns and entry-level employees.
When: Friday, May 7 | 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM EDT
Where: Online
Cost: No Cost!

Saturday, May 8
Candidate Development Workshop, Baltimore County
This in-person workshop helps current and prospective candidates, and people who want to help candidates, identify the steps you can use to run a successful campaign at every level.
When: Saturday, May 8 | 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM EDT
Where: Lutherville-Timonium, MD
Cost: $25
Please share these opportunities with your friends and allies who could benefit from these in-person and online trainings. Just forward this email and encourage them to sign up here to stay up to date on Leadership Institute trainings in 2021.

Thank you!

Carol

Carol Wehe Cocks
Director of External Affairs
Leadership Institute