Canvassing Workshops start May 15

We’re thrilled to report that last week’s forum on deep canvassing was a success.  The event had 252 registered, of which 158 participated, including many familiar faces from Grafton County Dems. Hosted by the Kent Street Coalition and co-sponsored by Conversation Canvassing New Hampshire (the project that began right here two years ago with our own Voter Outreach Committee), it proved to be a rich discussion about the power of listening conversations with voters.  
 
Keynote speakers Chloe Maxmin and Canyon Woodward, authors of Dirt Road Revival, reflected on their experiences campaigning in rural Maine.  In contrast to “data-driven, extractive” campaigns, they said, deep canvassing emphasizes the “quality of contact” with voters, as well as support for the volunteers who go to doors.  They asserted that “relationships around values can be more important than agreement on issues” and encouraged building local connections over time.  
 
Other speakers followed, both representatives of New Hampshire organizations leading current canvassing efforts (CCNH, 350 New Hampshire, Granite State Organizing Project, Belknap Canvassing Team, and Cheshire Canvassing Team) and volunteers who shared their highlights of their experiences at doors.   Each speaker added new information and perspectives, while reinforcing the value of deep canvassing as a proven strategy for engaging voters ahead of election season.  By the end, we felt this forum had clearly advanced the CCNH goal of “developing statewide, sustainable, year-round canvassing teams dedicated to progressive values.”  As Susan Hay of the Cheshire team put it: by listening to voters now, “we’re earning the right to be persuasive next year.”  

You can view the program recording here.
You can check out our CCNH website here: 
http://www.conversationcanvassing24.org/

We have set up 4 CCNH training workshops in May and June.  People can sign up as a team or individually for the workshops. The workshop registration links are on the website.

May 15, 7-8 pm / May 24, 6-7 pm / June 4, 3-4 pm / June 13, 7-8 pm