Online Candidate Development Program
What do councils do? What is the role of a councillor? How can you represent your Hobsons Bay community?
Hobsons Bay City Council, in partnership with the Victorian Local Government Association, is holding a free online Candidate Development Program. This program will prepare candidates in the community to stand for the local government elections. It will equip participants with the information, tools and knowledge they need when considering the role of a councillor, and highlight the importance of this role in council’s delivery of positive outcomes for their community through high performance leadership and effective governance.
There are six free online modules available for potential candidates to attend:
Life as a woman councillor
Date: Thursday 25 July, 10am-12pm
Registration closes: Friday 19 July 2024
In this session, women candidates in your region will be provided with an opportunity to hear from previous women councillors about their experiences representing local community. From standing for office, to getting elected and serving as a councillor, the unique experiences of women will be shared in an informal and relaxed environment promoting discussion and sharing of ideas.
Gender-based canvassing for votes as a woman
Date: Thursday 25 July, 12pm-2pm
Registration closes: Friday 19 July 2024
In this session, women candidates in your region will learn how to leverage their experiences as women leaders in their community. Women candidates will learn about the importance of understanding the needs and issues in their community, the priorities of rate payers, and how to get out the women’s vote for their campaign.
Safety and self-care for women in public office
Date: Thursday 25 July, 2pm-4pm
Registration closes: Friday 19 July 2024
In this session, women candidates in your region will learn how to stay safe on the campaign trail, to manage gender-based backlash and resistance to their campaigns, as well as sexual harassment and online abuse. In this session, candidates in your region will learn how to practice self-care during and after the campaign, with a focus on balancing care, work, and representation responsibilities.
Becoming a councillor
Date: Thursday 8 August, 2pm-4pm
Registration closes: Friday 2 August 2024
This introductory module covers all the foundations of becoming a councillor. Candidates will learn about their legal and regulatory obligations, participatory decision making, the importance of Codes of Conduct and essential community leadership skills that promote and model good governance.
Election campaign essentials
Date: Thursday 15 August, 3pm-4pm
Registration closes: Friday 9 August 2024
In this module, candidates are introduced to the importance of recognising and representing the diverse people, views and needs within the community. The module explores effective campaign techniques, canvassing, as well as developing and using communications and social media to reach your community members.
Self-care in public office
Date: Thursday 15 August, 4pm-6pm
Registration closes: Friday 9 August 2024
This module focuses on self-care during office, promoting health, safety and wellbeing on the campaign trail and beyond. Module 3 offers an opportunity to hear from previous councillors about their experiences. Consider this module as an opportunity for candidates to look behind the curtain on the reality of time in office and explore what steps they can put in place to enable them to balance work, life and local representation responsibilities.
Registration
Register your attendance to any of the online modules via the following form. Please note: You don't have to register for every module, just the modules you wish to attend.