February 27, 2023
K-State's ICDD, Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce host local candidate skill-building forum
Kansas State University's Institute for Civic Discourse and Democracy, or ICDD, and the Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce will host a workshop March 4 to inform candidates on how to run for local, non-partisan offices.
Held from 9 a.m. to noon in the Manhattan Public Library auditorium, the event is free and open to the public with pre-registration.
Speakers will cover campaign finance and regulation, messaging and marketing and civic relations. A panel of former candidates and elected Manhattanites will share their experiences.
"Manhattan will be a better community when thoughtful, dedicated people of goodwill offer themselves for public service," said Mike Matson, director of external affairs for the Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce. "The chamber seeks to add value to that sentiment by offering this educational opportunity."
"For talented people who are committed to the community, it rarely occurs to them that they can run for office," said Colene Lind, ICDD director and associate professor in the A.Q. Miller School of Media and Communication at K-State. "Offering practical information on launching a campaign and fulfilling the responsibilities of office is meant to encourage participation."
Municipal and school board elections in Kansas are conducted in odd-numbered years and are non-partisan by design. Candidates who run for these offices do not declare a political affiliation in the manner of those who seek a county, state or federal office in even-numbered year elections.
Attendees can preregister for the event on the Chamber website. Send questions to Lind at icdd@k-state.edu.