Canvass Director: A Typical Day

9:30 You and the office's other director sit down for your daily meeting. Evaluate fundraising and campaign performance. Review priorities and goals for the day.

10:00 Interview prospective campaign staff.

11:00 Meet with your field managing staff. Get their ideas on how to improve staff training program. Review plans for upcoming news conference to release research report on the benefits of energy conservation measures vs. increased oil drilling.

12:00 Finalize and fax notices to the local media announcing the news conference.

1:00 Canvassing staff arrive at the office. Run a role-play session on how to identify potential campaign supporters at the door.

1:30 Sierra Club spokesperson briefs the staff on the status of the campaign to preserve the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, highlighting the lobbying tactics of big oil companies working to open it for drilling.

2:00 Give brief updates to the staff about related campaigns, relevant political happenings, and upcoming social and campaign events. Congratulate exemplary staff and welcome newcomers.

2:30 Drive to targeted local community with a group of canvassers, including a new staff person. Over lunch, brief the staff on local Congressional Representative, and distribute lists of current members to renew.

4:00-9:00 Having arrived at your assigned neighborhood, train new staffperson. Canvass a few homes, demonstrating how to best communicate the campaign. Let the trainee canvass a few houses. Give specific, manageable feedback to improve confidence and skills.

9:00 Pick up the rest of your crew and return to office.

9:30 Oversee quick round of paperwork and cash out. Debrief with field managers and new staff.

10:00 Go out for dinner with field managers.

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