Strategic communications for an election year

Learn how to make your communications deliver your organisation's strategic goals as Wales enters the 2021 Senedd elections. The content will focus on this Welsh election, however, the concepts and skills can be adapted to other elections.This is aimed at communications professionals working within Wales’ third sector or social enterprise. This is a series of five skills-and-knowledge workshops that can be taken together as a series or individually. All workshops will be conducted online through Zoom and supporting resources through Google classroom.

1. Developing an organisational manifesto - Thursday 15 October 2020, 13:30-16:30

2. Influencing political parties - Thursday 5 November 2020, 13:30-16:30

3. Raising the profile of your customers/beneficiaries/members and your influence - Thursday 26 November 2020, 13:30-16:30

4. Voter registration - Thursday 14 January 2021, 13:30-16:30

5. Get Out The Vote - Thursday 28 January 2021, 13:30-16:30

WORKSHOP 2. Influencing political parties

Influencing political parties

This is the second half-day workshop in a series to develop strategic communications in an election year.

What is it about?

Your organisation knows what it wants a new government to do for it and the sector it works within. You’re armed with a clear and succinct organisational manifesto. Now, it’s time to flaunt it. This workshop explores how to influence and have conversations with political parties with the aim of getting your manifesto to become part of theirs.

Who is it for?

This is aimed at communications professionals who want to influence what happens to their organisation, or those they work with, after the 2021 election. If you’re still learning how the Senedd works and who and how to get politicians’ attention, this workshop will help you navigate. The skills and knowledge can be applied in future elections. In 2022, Wales elects new local governments.

What will I learn?

● Understanding of the political parties in Wales and a who’s who

● How to get and have a conversation with the people making the party manifesto

● How to make sure your organisational manifesto doesn’t get binned

● Creative ways to make your manifesto asks cut through the noise

What do I need to do and bring?

● A draft of your organisational manifesto

● Identify what the political parties positions are on the issues in your manifesto asks

● Bring a laptop with reliable internet connection to a quiet area without disruptions

● Check your microphone works and bring headphones to prevent noise feedback

● Engage with the resources sent to you ahead of the workshop

● Participate in the workshop - it’s designed for discussion!