By Sue Savoy, Progressive Mass Western Norfolk County
On Saturday, May 4th Progressive Mass Western Norfolk County co-hosted a Canvasser’s Training at the Norfolk Public Library. The event was co-hosted by the Bellingham, Franklin, Medfield, Milford, and Plainville Democratic Town Committees. Justin Bates of Progressive Mass Salem provided a dynamic training, inspiring local activists to knock doors this election season and beyond. Justin Bates was the campaign manager for State Senator Becca Rausch’s successful 2022 run for the State House. Twenty-two people attended the training.
Justin called upon participants to understand the barriers to canvassing as well as to consider personal ideals when preparing to knock on doors for candidates and political issues. In today’s divisive political climate, many folks reported being nervous about going door to door. However, targeted planning can result in energizing and positive results, especially when planners design turfs to include friendly doors based on voting history. Door knocking is a time tested and highly effective strategy for energizing voters. For example during the Freedom Summer of 1964, door knocking was a central tactic used by civil rights activists, many of them college students, to register black Missisipians to vote. Participants of the canvasser training took time to share their personal stories in small working groups. Folks talked about what brought them to activism. They then reflected upon their most important values that led them to the training, and finally practiced crafting their canvassing messages leading with those values.
Kevin Kalkut of Norfolk, candidate for 9th Norfolk State Representative shared the importance of canvassing to make personal connections with voters to inspire them to vote on election day.
Participants reported feeling excited to hit doors following the training. Leading with personal values is a potent way to get empowered and send a clear message to voters about the issues we care about. After the training several of the attendees spent the afternoon knocking on doors for a progressive school committee candidate.
