The Women's Institute is offering a one-day intensive training session for young women interested in running for higher office, Tuesday, March 10.
Ready to Run is a non-partisan program for women who want to run for office, work on a campaign or become a public leader.
"The goal of the AAUW of Alabama Ready to Run project is training qualified Alabama women for leadership roles in government," said Audrey Salgado, a member of the AAUW Alabama Executive Committee.
This one-day training session offers seminars with prominent speakers and hands on activities for the participants to test what they have learned during the training session.
A panel consisting of representatives from all five political parties will be available to answer questions.
The event will be located in Lowder Building, Alabama Power Room 502. Registration starts at 8 a.m. and the day ends at 5 p.m. with a $39 registration fee.
Scholarships are offered to participants if they write a page explaining reasons for attending the training and how it can better their future.
"When you go through our programs, you get empowered by other women and their stories," said Martina Janska, a representative from the Women's Institute.
In the United States Congress, no women serve representing Alabama.
In Alabama, there are only four women serving as state senators out of the 35 seats.
And 14 of the 105 state House Representatives are women.
"To run for a political office, one must first know thyself," Salgado said. "Ready to Run trains women how to develop a campaign team and a campaign message. Fundraising and networking are key to being elected to government leadership."
The seminar and speakers offers instructions on running for office, fundraising and media skills, strategic advice for upcoming leaders, campaigning tips and a general understanding of Alabama politics.
Anyone is open to attend Ready to Run Tuesday, not just students, Janska said.
The event is sponsored in part by the American Association of University Women, a group started in 1881. This organization has more than 100,000 members, 1,300 branches and 500 college and university partners, according to the AAUW Web site.
"After much research, AAUW of Alabama determined the problems affecting Alabama women and their issues are centered on the fundamentally flawed Alabama constitution and the insufficient number of women participating in governmental processes," Salgado said.
There are plans to extend the program to other universities.
"Ready to Run has been presented at the University of North Alabama, Florence, Ala., in 2008 and will be presented at Troy University, Montgomery, Ala., on April 3, 2009," Salgado said.
Registration forms can be picked up at 2046 Haley Center or from their Web site, www.auburn.edu/womenleaders.
For more information, e-mail Salgado at audrey5190@yahoo.com or visit www.aauw-alabama.org.
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