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One major thing I’ve learned from my years in politics is the power of branding. As a candidate or organization, what attributes set you apart from others offering similar skills or services? What makes you uniquely qualified to serve others? What are your measurable accomplishments? How do you best communicate that message to voters, clients and donors?
This month’s newsletter focuses on a project near and dear to my heart: the Women’s Campaign School at Yale (www.wcsyale.org). I’ve been teaching there since 1995, and served on the board of directors for seven years (I’m on sabbatical this year.)
WCS at Yale was founded in 1993 by Andree Aelion Brooks, a noted author and reporter, to fill the vacuum in women’s leadership training for potential candidates. WCS is a nonpartisan, issue-neutral political campaign training program. This program trains and inspires women, from all paths of life, interested in getting involved in the political world. Andree persuaded the Yale Law School to host the program and since then the school has been run by a changing core of volunteers and a talented board of directors.
Our current President is Deb Sofield, an executive speech coach based out of Greenville, South Carolina. She is my featured “passion-driven leader” this month.
As a professional speaker and an elected official, Deb understands the intersection of marketing, sales, politics and communications. The program at Yale is unique: we recruit top women political professionals to teach other women how to successfully enter public service.
For most women, the path to public service is often times through community service. We teach women how to translate their accomplishments into political activism.
And Deb knew we needed a brand. What did we do at WCS at Yale that sets us apart from other training programs? First, we’re non-partisan. Second, we’re issue-neutral. And third, our speakers are women who share their expertise with other women from around the world.
Our mission: to be the “Best Five-Day Training Program for Women” in the Nation – and the World. Yes, a bold claim. But one that we replicate every summer in the classrooms of the Yale Law School. This year’s school is scheduled from Tuesday, July 13 through Saturday, July 17. Our graduates include Senator Kristen Gillibrand (NY), Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords (AZ) and a host of Republican and Democrat elected officials, as well as international leaders.
So, please visit our website, www.wcsyale.org, to learn more. And apply today – yes, the application deadline for this summer’s session is Friday, May 1 at 5 p.m. EST (and it’s a hard deadline.)
Good luck!
P.S. When I’m asked, “When is the MEN’S Campaign School at Yale being held,” I lovingly point out that it’s been a ‘Men’s Campaign School’ for the past 2000 years. So please forward this newsletter to the smart, talented women in your life and urge them to apply today.
Nancy is available to keynote a seminar, lead a workshop, or provide one-on-one consulting to help you find success in public service and fundraising in 2010.
For rates and available dates,
please call
703-276-7488
Nancy@NancyBocskor.com
www.NancyBocskor.com
Go Fish: How to Catch
(and Keep) Contributors
New 2010 Edition!
When ordering, mention "Women's Campaign School at Yale" to receive the special rate of $39.99 (regular price $50)
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Graduate, Women's Campaign School at Yale
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Meet This Issue's
Passion Driven Leader:
Deb Sofield
Deb Sofield
"Powerful people take up physical space"
This month I’d like to introduce you to my amazing friend, Deb Sofield. A South Carolinian, Deb brings graciousness and polish to every project she undertakes. As an Executive Speech and Presentations Coach, her work has taken her from guest lecturing at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government to being an election observer in Bangladesh. Her accomplishments have earned her recognition by the Association for Women in Communications as its “Communicator of the Year”.
In 2001, Deb attended and graduated from the Women’s Campaign School at Yale. Upon graduating, she used her expertise in public speaking to fulfill the school’s mission to increase the number of women in the political sector. In less than 10 years, she has moved from alum to board member to now serving her second term as the President. Her mission has been to solidify the reputation of the program so it continues to be the “Best Five-Day Training Program for Women in the Nation.”
Deb has opened many doors for people to find success in their careers and lives by tapping into their natural abilities, teaching them to become capable and motivational speakers who deliver a message with lasting impact. That’s because Deb knows exactly what it takes –and means– to deliver a meaningful message. Deb is a skilled politician and savvy businesswoman who has been winning campaigns for public office while running her own successful business for more than two decades. Deb serves as the Chairman for the Commission of Public Works for the Water System in Greenville. She is the first women to hold this position since its inception in 1918. Deb also served two terms as a member of Greenville City Council.
Deb is devoted to giving women the tools they need to take part and succeed in the world of politics and public service. She is tops in her field and through the WCS at Yale, Deb inspires women to believe in themselves and take an active role in shaping their communities and countries. For more about Deb and her work, please visit www.debsofield.com. |
