Candidate Training Program
Aug 13 2010 - 10:11am
This year, the Sorensen Institute is proud to claim several congressional candidates as our Alumni. These Sorensen grads are running in United States Congressional races all across Virginia and are striving to implement the lessons they learned at Sorensen into their campaigns. These candidates give hope to the Sorensen idea that politics can be about the heated clash of ideas, but that our differences do not have to divide us. Below you'll find a link to each of the candidates websites.
Democrats
Republicans
Independents
Feb 23 2010 - 11:34am
The Sorensen Institute is now accepting applications for the Spring class of our nationally recognized Candidate Training Program. Deadline for applications is 5pm Friday April 16, 2010. Click here to learn more about the program. The program will run May 20-23 at Montpelier in Orange County.
Feb 3 2010 - 10:22am
Congratulations to the members of the Candidate Training Program Class of Winter 2010, which graduated this past weekend! Click here or the photo at left for the main alumni page.
Nov 9 2009 - 11:49am
This morning's edition of the Staunton News Leader spotlights the success of Sorensen graduates in the recent elections.
The University of Virginia's Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership offers two political training programs to those interested in becoming more active in public service in Virginia – be they Republicans, Democrats or independents. In the wake of Tuesday's elections, it's clear that the programs are working.
Nov 5 2009 - 12:47pm
The Sorensen Institute's Candidate Training Program was founded in 1999 to teach aspiring political candidates in Virginia the fundamentals of a winning campaign for office. Participants explore the nuts and bolts of building a strong campaign from the ground up—all within the context of ethics and principled public service.
In this, its 10th anniversary year, the CTP celebrates a particularly impressive achievement. A total of seven CTP graduates of the 2009 program alone were elected to office this year: 2 to city council, 1 as sheriff, and a whopping 4 to the Virginia General Assembly: 3 Republicans, 3 Democrats, and 1 Independent.
Of the four CTP 09 alumni who were elected to the GA, 2 are Republicans and 2 are Democrats. All of them were brand-new to state-level campaign politics.
We can say without any equivocation that the Sorensen Institute's Candidate Training Program is one of the very best programs of its kind in the world.
The 2010 Candidate Training Program is now accepting applications. Click here for more information.
Sep 8 2009 - 11:41am
Today the Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership began accepting applications to its Political Leaders Program Class of 2010 as well as its Candidate Training Program Class of 2010.
Applications are available online. The deadline will be 5pm on Monday, November 9.
The Candidate Training Program Class of 2010 will be held January 28-31 at historic Carter Hall in Millwood, Virginia.. This is an intensive, four-day program focused on the fundamentals of a winning campaign for elected office. Participants explore the nuts and bolts of building a strong campaign from the ground up—all within the context of ethics and principled public service. Members of the class will enjoy the benefit of meeting with and learning from a host of experienced campaign advisors. Click here to learn more about the CTP 2010 and for links to the online application.
Sorensen's flagship Political Leaders Program is a leadership development program for residents of Virginia interested in becoming more active in public service, whether as community leaders or as elected officials. Participation in this program has become a traditional "first step" for future political leaders in the Commonwealth. The class meets in various locations across Virginia, once a month for 10 months from March through December. Click here to learn more and to access the online application.
The Sorensen Institute relies on its alumni to help us identify prospective participants for the 2010 programs and encourage them to apply.
Sep 8 2009 - 11:41am
The Sorensen Institute will host a series of recruiting receptions throughout Virginia in the coming weeks. These receptions offer a wonderful opportunity for prospective applicants to meet with staff, alumni, and board members to learn more about our Political Leaders and Candidate Training 2010 Programs. Alumni are encouraged to bring applicants to these receptions. The Sorensen Institute relies on the willingness of its alumni to help us recruit next year's classes. RSVPs are not required but will be very much appreciated. Please contact our Recruiting Coordinator April Auger at 434-243-2470, april.auger@virginia.edu.
Recruiting receptions for the 2010 Political Leaders and Candidate Training Programs are scheduled as follows (click links for locations and directions):
September 10th— Lunch reception at Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center in Abingdon.
Time: 12 noon.
October 5th— Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce.
Time: 5pm
October 12th— Breakfast reception at the Virginia Discovery Museum in Charlottesville.
Time: 8am
October 13th— Riverviews Artspace in Lynchburg.
Time: 5pm
October 20th— Harrisonburg Reception (location TBA)
Time: 6pm
For more information contact April Auger at 434-243-2470, april.auger@virginia.edu.
May 11 2009 - 12:01pm
From the Sorensen Archives comes this public radio story about our Candidate Training Program. Produced in 2007 and broadcast statewide on With Good Reason, this story— one of the very best ever produced about a Sorensen program— explores the history and mission of our nationally recognized CTP. The Sorensen Institute will host the Spring 2009 class of our Candidate Training Program this coming Thursday May 14 through Sunday May 15 at historic Carter Hall in Millwood.
Feb 11 2009 - 12:41pm
Executive Director Bob Gibson recently sent this email to our alumni:
I write with exciting news: due to overwhelming demand and a generous grant from the Claude Moore Charitable Foundation, we are able to offer the Candidate Training Program for a second time in 2009. With the number of individuals running for office for the first time in 2009 we know that there are those who would benefit from this program but were unable to join us in January.
The Spring Candidate Training Program will take place from May 14-17 at historic Carter Hall in Millwood, Virginia in eastern Clarke County. We are very excited to be able to offer this program at another historic venue and in Northern Virginia.
The application deadline is March 30th at 5 p.m. but applications will be processed on a rolling basis, so applicants are strongly encouraged to get their application in early.
If you or someone you know is planning to run for office this year or thinking about running in the near future, please encourage them to apply.
Click here to learn more and to access our online application for the Spring 2009 class of the Candidate Training Program.
Jan 26 2009 - 11:29am
Congratulations to the Candidate Training Program Class of 2009, which celebrated its graduation from the Sorensen Institute yesterday, completing a four-day program.
We are also very proud to report that this was the tenth anniversary of classes in our Candidate Training Program, which began in 1999 with a grant from the Pew Charitable Trusts. The program has since become a national model, has been replicated in many states, and is this year the subject of a PhD dissertation.
Of the 212 graduates of the Candidate Training Program since 1999, 60 have served in elected office around the Commonwealth, including one in the Virginia State Senate and seven in the Virginia House of Delegates; 24 have been appointed to state boards and commissions.
