Canvassing: The People Part - Dogwood Workshop

Canvassing: The People Part
Tools to not take it personally
A workshop with Shayna Hornstein & Anna Barford

Fall 2018 is going to be a big one in B.C.; organizations will be gearing up for either municipal campaigns or proportional representation. Maybe you will be involved with both!

In either case, your campaign plan inevitably involves getting out and talking to neighbours, growing your base, and strengthening relationships. And come 2019? We’ll need to hold new governments to account and plan for a Federal election.

Our ability to win big is directly related to how we take of ourselves for the long haul, but in the heat of a conversation telling yourself to “calm down” is frequently ineffective. Our work can be draining, even when it feels meaningful.

Physical discomfort needs physical strategies. This training offers simple techniques to get your brain and body working together to ease the tension. The goal is that you feel energized about your time canvassing (in person or on the phone) – no matter what happens.

This training is intended for people who have any experience with in-person or phone canvassing who want to make it easier on themselves and be more effective.

By the end of the workshop you will be able to:

• Describe how the nervous system instinctively responds to the stresses of canvassing

• Practice tools to ease the tension so your body doesn’t take it personally.

• Apply physical techniques that feel good & help you think clearly so canvassing is both less stressful and more effective

What to expect:

• An interactive blend of theory (body-brain neuroscience), reflective dialogue & practice

• Choices of ways to engage with the activities (that aren’t role plays)

• Hopefully some new and interesting stuff & some laughs :)

Shayna Hornstein, B.Sc. (Reg. P.T.) is an adult educator, a body-focused counsellor and registered physical therapist. She offers workplace resilience training to organizations. In her clinical practice, she helps people lessen the impact that stress has on their bodies. She recently completed a graduate certificate in adult education at UBC. Her canvassing experiences span numerous elections as well as various environmental campaigns. She is a proud member of the East Van Dogwood team!

Anna Barford, B. Eng and M. Sc. studied environmental engineering and has a Masters in environmental management and policy. She has left the technical and corporate worlds to work for environmental not-for-profits as a community organizer. She has amassed countless hours of practice canvassing and training canvassers with a variety of organizations. She is excited to offer this workshop with Shayna who has skills the movement very clearly can use in growing our own resilience.

We acknowledge that this event takes place on the unceded territory of the Skwxwú7mesh, Tsleil-Waututh, and xʷməθkʷəy̓əm peoples.

FAQs

What are my accessibility/transportation/parking options for getting to and from the event?

• There is an Easy Park lot at 180 Keefer that we recommend using if you are going to drive. Street parking has a 2-hour limit, so is not advisable for this workshop.

• We have a bike-room in the basement of the building, Emily will be available to assist in bike parking.

• We are near all bus routes along Main and Hastings.

• Please email emily@dogwoodbc.ca with any accessibility needs or questions. Our building is wheel-chair accessible, and we ask that you refrain from wearing scented products.

How can I contact the organizer with any questions?

Email Emily at emily@dogwoodbc.ca.

There are only 20 spots for this training so that it stays a comfortable group size. If we reach capacity, we will poll the wait list to find another good time to run this workshop again.