VOLUNTEER MOBILIZATION GUIDE

Version: 2.0.1 | Last Updated: October 12, 2025

Building the Grassroots Army for Dave Biggers

Candidate: Dave Biggers
Website: rundaverun.org
Purpose: Scale volunteer operation from 10 to 1,000+ volunteers

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Winning requires volunteers. This guide shows how to recruit, train, deploy, and retain a volunteer army that can reach every voter in Louisville.

Target: 1,000 active volunteers by Election Day
Current: [Starting from campaign launch]
Timeline: 12-18 months to build full capacity

Success Formula:

• Recruit continuously
• Train systematically
• Deploy strategically
• Appreciate genuinely
• Retain consistently

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PHASE 1: FOUNDATION (Months 1-3)

Building Your Core Team

Goal: 50 Committed Volunteers

Profile of Early Volunteers:

• Highly motivated believers in the mission
• Willing to recruit others
• Available for multiple shifts per week
• Representative of Louisville’s diversity
• Connected to their communities

Recruitment Strategies:

Week 1-2: Personal Network

• Dave’s personal contacts
• Early campaign supporters
• People who signed up at announcement
• Friends and family (if willing)

Week 3-4: Social Media

• Facebook volunteer signup form
• Twitter call for volunteers
• Instagram stories
• LinkedIn for professional volunteers
• Email blast to early supporters

Week 5-8: Community Events

• Table at farmers markets
• Presence at neighborhood meetings
• Faith community outreach
• Service organization presentations
• University campus recruiting

Week 9-12: Earned Media

• Press coverage mentions “how to volunteer”
• Website prominently features volunteer signup
• Every public appearance includes volunteer ask
• Testimonials from current volunteers

Training for Core 50:

Session 1 (2 hours): Campaign Overview

• Dave’s vision and budget explained
• Why evidence-based approach matters
• How to talk about the budget (simplified)
• Q&A with Dave

Session 2 (2 hours): Door-to-Door Basics

• How to knock doors
• What to say (30-second pitch)
• How to handle objections
• Data entry and follow-up
• Safety protocols

Session 3 (1 hour): Phone Banking

• Script training
• Tone and approach
• Data entry
• When to escalate

Session 4 (1 hour): Event Support

• Setup and breakdown
• Greeting attendees
• Materials distribution
• Event photography/social media

Total Training Time: 6 hours per core volunteer

Roles for Core 50:

Tier 1 Leaders (5-10 people):

• Team Captains
• Manage 5-10 volunteers each
• Report to Field Director
• Lead training sessions
• Highest commitment level

Tier 2 Regular Volunteers (40-45 people):

• Weekly canvassing shifts
• Phone banking
• Event support
• Social media sharing
• Peer recruiting

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PHASE 2: GROWTH (Months 4-8)

Scaling to 250 Volunteers

Goal: 250 Active Volunteers

Growth Strategies:

Volunteer-Recruited-Volunteers:

• Each core volunteer recruits 4 friends
• “Bring a friend” canvassing days
• Volunteer appreciation events (recruiting opportunity)
• Social media challenges (#5for5 – recruit 5, get 5 hours)

Event-Based Recruitment:

• Major campaign events as recruiting opportunities
• Volunteer signup stations at all events
• “Try volunteering” low-commitment opportunities
• Event follow-up within 24 hours

Digital Recruitment:

• Facebook ads targeting likely volunteers
• Email drip campaign to supporters
• Text banking “would you like to volunteer?”
• Website optimization for signup conversion

Community Partnerships:

• Partner with aligned organizations
• University service-learning programs
• Faith community volunteer networks
• Neighborhood association partnerships

Streamlined Training:

Quick Start (1 hour):

• Campaign overview video (15 min)
• Door knocking demo (20 min)
• Practice with Team Captain (20 min)
• Deploy same day (5 min)

Advanced Training (Optional):

• Deep dive on budget (2 hours)
• Debate watching parties (ongoing)
• Phone banking excellence (1 hour)
• Social media amplification (1 hour)

Volunteer Management System:

Tools Needed:

• Volunteer database (NationBuilder, VAN, or similar)
• Shift scheduling software
• Text messaging platform
• Email automation
• Canvassing app (MiniVAN or similar)

Weekly Workflow:
1. Monday: Schedule shifts for the week
2. Tuesday-Thursday: Send shift reminders
3. Friday-Sunday: Deploy volunteers
4. Sunday night: Thank volunteers, report results
5. Repeat

Retention Strategies:

Recognition:

• Weekly “Volunteer of the Week”
• Monthly leaderboards (doors knocked, calls made)
• Quarterly appreciation events
• Personal thank you texts from Dave
• Social media shoutouts

Community Building:

• Volunteer Slack or Facebook group
• Group outings (not campaign related)
• Mentorship program (new to experienced)
• Volunteer newsletter
• Campaign swag (t-shirts, buttons, stickers)

Impact Demonstration:

• Share data on volunteer impact
• “Your 50 doors reached 23 voters who…”
• Election projections based on volunteer work
• Stories of voters changed by conversations

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PHASE 3: PEAK OPERATION (Months 9-12)

Scaling to 1,000 Volunteers

Goal: 1,000 Active Volunteers by Election Day

Final Push Recruitment:

Months 9-10 (200 Days Out):

• “200 Days to Change Louisville” campaign
• Major recruitment events
• Media blitz about volunteer opportunities
• Endorser networks activated for recruiting

Months 11-12 (Final 60 Days):

• “All hands on deck” messaging
• Lower commitment asks (1 shift = meaningful)
• Election Day volunteer deployment planning
• Get Out The Vote (GOTV) training

Specialized Volunteer Teams:

Canvassing Teams (400 volunteers):

• Weekend warriors (Saturday/Sunday only)
• Weekday crews (retired folks, flexible schedules)
• Evening shifts (after work 5-8 PM)
• Turf captains (own specific neighborhoods)

Phone Banking Teams (200 volunteers):

• Remote phone bankers (from home)
• Phone bank events (centralized)
• Text banking (newer, easier for some)
• Voter registration verification

Events Team (100 volunteers):

• Setup/breakdown crew
• Greeters and hosts
• Materials distribution
• Photography/videography
• Social media live coverage

Data & Tech Team (50 volunteers):

• Data entry
• Voter file management
• Website updates
• Social media scheduling
• Digital ads management

Creative Team (50 volunteers):

• Graphic design
• Video editing
• Content creation
• Photography
• Sign making

Special Projects (200 volunteers):

• Voter registration drives
• Literature drops (no knocking, just leaving materials)
• Sign installations (yard signs, banners)
• Debate watch parties (hosting)
• Surrogate speakers (community presentations)

Peak Operations Schedule:

60 Days Out:

• 7 days/week canvassing operations
• Daily phone banking shifts
• Weekend canvassing: 9 AM – 5 PM
• Weeknight canvassing: 5 PM – 8 PM
• Phone banking: 10 AM – 8 PM daily

30 Days Out:

• All volunteer teams activated
• Multiple shifts per day all week
• Major weekend rallies and canvassing
• Nightly phone banking
• Daily lit drops in target precincts

14 Days Out:

• Maximum volunteer deployment
• Early voting GOTV operations
• Poll watching recruitment
• Election Day volunteer training
• Final preparation events

Election Day:

• 1,000 volunteers deployed
• Poll coverage (observers, supporters outside polls)
• Ride-to-polls program
• Real-time turnout tracking
• Victory party preparation

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VOLUNTEER RECRUITMENT SCRIPTS

Social Media Posts:

Facebook:
“Want to be part of Louisville’s transformation? We’re building a movement for evidence-based governance and community safety. Join our volunteer team – no experience necessary, full training provided. Sign up: rundaverun.org/volunteer”

Instagram:
“????️ Build the Louisville we deserve
???? Join our volunteer team
???? Full training provided
???? Make history with us
Link in bio → rundaverun.org/volunteer”

Twitter:
“Louisville deserves evidence-based leadership. Join our volunteer team and help us knock 100,000 doors. Sign up: rundaverun.org/volunteer #RunDaveRun”

In-Person Pitch:

At Events (30 seconds):
“Hey, I’m [name] with Dave Biggers’ campaign. We’re building a grassroots movement to transform Louisville’s approach to public safety. Want to join us? We’re looking for volunteers to knock doors, make calls, and help spread the word. No experience needed – we’ll train you. Can I get your info to follow up?”

When Asked (2 minutes):
“Dave’s budget is different because it’s based on what actually works in 50+ other cities – mini police substations in neighborhoods, wellness centers for mental health and addiction, co-responder teams. Same total budget as the current mayor, but better priorities. We need volunteers to help share this vision with voters. We provide full training, flexible shifts, and it’s actually kind of fun once you get into it. Plus you’ll meet great people who care about Louisville’s future.”

Email Campaigns:

Subject: Louisville needs you

“[First Name],

You signed up to support Dave Biggers’ campaign for mayor. Thank you.

Now I need to ask you to do more.

We’re building a volunteer team to knock on 100,000 doors and have real conversations with Louisville voters. These conversations matter – they’re how we win.

No experience necessary. Full training provided. Flexible shifts.

Can you spare 4 hours this month? That’s one Saturday morning or two weeknight shifts.

Your 4 hours = 50 doors knocked = 20 voters reached = 3-5 votes earned.

Sign up for your first shift: [LINK]

Let’s do this together.

[Field Director Name]
Dave Biggers for Mayor”

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VOLUNTEER TRAINING MATERIALS

Quick Start Guide (All Volunteers Get This):

Welcome Packet Contents:
1. Campaign one-pager (to leave with voters)
2. Quick facts sheet (for volunteer reference)
3. Door knocking script (laminated)
4. Territory map
5. Data entry instructions
6. Emergency contacts
7. Campaign t-shirt or button

Door Knocking Script (Laminated Card):

Opening:
“Hi, I’m [NAME], a volunteer with Dave Biggers’ campaign for mayor. Do you have a minute to hear about his plan for Louisville?”

If YES:
“Dave’s budget is the same total as what’s already approved – $1.2 billion – but with better priorities: 63 mini police substations in neighborhoods instead of a few big stations far away, plus wellness centers for mental health and addiction. It’s proven to work in 50+ cities. What matters most to you about public safety?”

If Supportive:
“Great! Can Dave count on your vote? [IF YES:] Awesome – can I give you this one-pager with more info? And would you consider putting a yard sign up?”

If Neutral/Questions:
“I hear you. Let me leave you this flyer with all the details. Can I mark you down as undecided for now?”

If Opposed:
“I appreciate your time. Thanks for letting me know where you stand.”

Closing:
“Have a great day! You can learn more at rundaverun.org.”

Phone Banking Script:

Opening:
“Hi, is [NAME] available? … Hi [NAME], I’m [VOLUNTEER NAME] calling on behalf of Dave Biggers’ campaign for mayor. Do you have a quick minute?”

If YES:
“Great! I’m calling to see if you’re familiar with Dave’s plan for Louisville. [PAUSE] He’s proposing evidence-based public safety – mini police substations in every neighborhood plus wellness centers for mental health and addiction. Same budget total, better priorities. Does that sound like something you’d support?”

If Supportive:
“Wonderful! Can Dave count on your vote in [ELECTION DATE]? [IF YES:] Perfect – we’ll be in touch closer to Election Day about early voting. Would you be interested in volunteering or putting up a yard sign?”

If Undecided:
“I understand. Can I send you some information by email? What’s the best address?” [COLLECT EMAIL] “And we’ll probably follow up closer to the election. Thank you for your time!”

If Opposed:
“I appreciate you sharing that. Thanks for your time, and have a good [day/evening].”

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VOLUNTEER MANAGEMENT BEST PRACTICES

Do’s:

✅ Respond quickly – Within 24 hours to new volunteer signups
✅ Train thoroughly – Don’t send people out unprepared
✅ Set clear expectations – What shift entails, what success looks like
✅ Provide materials – Everything they need to succeed
✅ Communicate regularly – Weekly updates to all volunteers
✅ Show appreciation – Thank everyone, every time
✅ Track data – Who’s volunteering when, what results they’re getting
✅ Build community – Help volunteers know each other
✅ Share impact – Show how volunteer work is making a difference
✅ Follow up – After first shift, check in: How’d it go?

Don’ts:

❌ Don’t ghost volunteers – If they reach out, respond
❌ Don’t waste their time – Be organized, have materials ready
❌ Don’t overcomplicate – Simple systems work best
❌ Don’t ignore safety – Pairs in some neighborhoods, safety protocols
❌ Don’t burn people out – Respect their limits
❌ Don’t play favorites – All volunteers matter
❌ Don’t forget to thank – Every volunteer, every time
❌ Don’t ignore feedback – If volunteers say something isn’t working, listen
❌ Don’t assume commitment – Check in, people’s situations change
❌ Don’t neglect data – Track everything for optimization

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VOLUNTEER RETENTION PROGRAM

Month 1-3: Honeymoon Phase

Goal: Make first impression great

Actions:

• Personal welcome from Team Captain
• Successful first shift experience
• Quick follow-up: “How’d it go?”
• Invitation to next event
• Add to volunteer community channels

Retention Rate Target: 80%

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Month 4-6: Reality Phase

Goal: Keep enthusiasm high through slow periods

Actions:

• Share impact data
• Volunteer appreciation event
• Advanced training opportunities
• Leadership opportunities for top volunteers
• Regular communication

Retention Rate Target: 65%

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Month 7-9: Commitment Phase

Goal: Deepen investment in campaign

Actions:

• Personal note from Dave to active volunteers
• Volunteer summit or retreat
• Campaign updates “you heard it first”
• Increased responsibility for proven volunteers
• Recognition program

Retention Rate Target: 75% (people coming back)

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Month 10-12: Sprint to Victory

Goal: Maximum deployment

Actions:

• All hands on deck messaging
• Daily shifts available
• Real-time election projections shared
• Team competition and gamification
• Victory vision casting

Retention Rate Target: 90% (final push)

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VOLUNTEER SAFETY PROTOCOLS

Before Shifts:

Buddy System:

• Volunteers work in pairs when possible
• Especially in unfamiliar neighborhoods
• Evening shifts always paired

Check-In System:

• All volunteers text Team Captain when starting
• Check-in at midpoint
• Check-out when done
• If no check-out within reasonable time, Captain calls

Safety Training:

• Trust your instincts – if uncomfortable, leave
• Don’t enter homes (ever)
• Stay in public view
• Park legally and safely
• Keep phone charged
• Have emergency contact info

Weather Protocols:

• No canvassing in severe weather
• Heat safety (water, breaks)
• Cold safety (limit time outside)
• Lightning/tornado procedures

During Shifts:

Red Flags – Leave Immediately:

• Aggressive or threatening behavior
• Intoxicated individuals
• Unleashed aggressive dogs
• Any physical threat
• Gut feeling of danger

How to Disengage:

• “Thanks for your time” and walk away
• Don’t argue or escalate
• Report incident to Team Captain
• Mark house as “do not knock” in data

After Incidents:

Report to Team Captain:

• Any threatening behavior
• Physical contact (even minor)
• Verbal abuse
• Property damage
• Police involvement
• Medical issues

Team Captain Reports to Field Director:

• Field Director determines if incident needs escalation
• Support provided to volunteer
• Adjustments made to safety protocols if needed

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GAMIFICATION & COMPETITION

Individual Leaderboards:

Monthly Top Performers:

• Most doors knocked
• Most phone calls made
• Most voter registrations
• Most volunteer recruits
• Most social media shares

Recognition:

• Top 10 posted on website
• Social media shoutouts
• Personal call from Dave (top 3)
• Special swag (custom items)
• VIP treatment at events

Team Competitions:

Neighborhood Challenges:

• West End vs. East End vs. South End
• Most doors knocked in district
• Highest voter contact rate
• Best turnout in precinct

Weekly Sprints:

• “50 States Weekend” – knock 50 doors for each state that proves this model works
• “Call-a-thon” – most calls in 4 hours
• “Register to Win” – voter registration drives

Prizes:

• Pizza party for winning team
• Tickets to Louisville events
• Dave comes to your neighborhood event
• Campaign swag packages
• Social media glory

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TOOLS & TECHNOLOGY

Essential Tools:

Volunteer Management:

• NationBuilder or VAN – Volunteer database and shift scheduling
• SignUpGenius – Event volunteer signups
• Slack or GroupMe – Volunteer communication
• Mobilize – Shift management and RSVP

Canvassing:

• MiniVAN – Mobile canvassing app
• Google Maps – Territory planning
• Canvassing turfs – Pre-planned routes
• PDF maps – Backup when tech fails

Phone Banking:

• ThruText – Text banking
• CallHub or LiveVox – Phone banking
• Google Voice – Personal call forwarding
• Scripts in Google Docs – Easy updates

Data & Reporting:

• Google Sheets – Simple data tracking
• VAN – Comprehensive voter database
• Google Forms – Volunteer feedback
• Airtable – Project management

Communication:

• MailChimp – Email campaigns
• Facebook Events – Event promotion
• Remind – Text message platform
• Zoom – Virtual training/meetings

Budget for Tools:

• VAN/NationBuilder: $2,000-5,000/month
• Canvassing apps: $500-1,000/month
• Phone banking: $1,000-2,000/month
• Email platform: $200-500/month
• Text banking: $500-1,500/month

Total Tech Budget: ~$4,000-10,000/month depending on scale

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METRICS & REPORTING

Track Weekly:

Recruitment:

• New volunteer signups
• Volunteer source (how they found us)
• Demographics (age, location, etc.)

Deployment:

• Volunteers who took shifts
• Total shifts filled
• Cancellation rate
• Show-up rate (scheduled vs. actual)

Activity:

• Doors knocked
• Calls made
• Texts sent
• Voters registered
• Literature distributed

Results:

• Voter contacts (actual conversations)
• Identified supporters
• Identified opponents
• Undecided voters
• Voter data updated

Retention:

• Volunteers who returned for 2nd shift
• Average shifts per volunteer
• Dropout rate
• Top performers

Report Monthly to Campaign:

Volunteer Dashboard:

• Total active volunteers
• Month-over-month growth
• Volunteer productivity (contacts per hour)
• Geographic coverage (all districts?)
• Retention rate
• Pipeline (recruits not yet trained)

Impact Report:

• Total voter contacts to date
• Identified support vs. opposition
• Voter registration numbers
• Doors knocked to date
• Calls made to date

Projections:

• Path to 1,000 volunteers
• Doors remaining to knock
• Voters remaining to contact
• GOTV capacity

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VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION EVENTS

Monthly Appreciation:

Format:

• 2-hour evening event
• Food and drinks (pizza, etc.)
• Dave speaks (15 min)
• Volunteer recognition
• Campaign update
• Social time

Budget: $300-500 per event

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Quarterly Celebrations:

Format:

• Larger event (4 hours)
• Better venue
• Nicer food
• Awards ceremony
• Team building activities
• Guest speakers
• Entertainment

Budget: $1,500-2,500 per event

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Election Eve Event:

Format:

• Big rally for all volunteers
• Dave’s final message
• Energy and excitement building
• Election Day assignments distributed
• “Get rest, tomorrow we win” send-off

Budget: $5,000-10,000

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Victory Celebration:

Format:

• Election night party
• All volunteers invited (bring family!)
• Live results viewing
• Dave’s victory speech
• Celebration of volunteer impact
• “We did this together” message

Budget: $10,000-20,000

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VOLUNTEER COMMUNICATIONS CALENDAR

Weekly:

Monday Morning:
“Week Ahead” email to all volunteers

• This week’s priorities
• Shift opportunities
• Week in review from last week

Thursday Evening:
“Weekend Warrior” recruitment push

• Text message: “Can you knock doors this weekend?”
• Social media posts
• Email to inactive volunteers

Sunday Night:
“Thank You” message to weekend volunteers

• Personal thanks
• Impact report (you knocked X doors, reached Y voters)
• Next week preview

Monthly:

First Monday:
Newsletter to all volunteers

• Monthly impact report
• Volunteer spotlight (3-4 people)
• Campaign updates
• Next month’s calendar

Mid-Month:
“We miss you” email to inactive volunteers

• Personal message
• Easy on-ramp opportunity
• Reminder of why they signed up

End of Month:
Thank you video from Dave

• Personal message to volunteers
• Impact recap
• Vision casting for next month

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SCALING CHALLENGES & SOLUTIONS

Challenge: Too Many Volunteers, Not Enough Supervision

Solution:

• Develop Team Captain program (1 captain per 10 volunteers)
• Systematic captain training
• Clear escalation paths
• Self-serve volunteer opportunities (lit drops, social media)

Challenge: Volunteer Quality Control

Solution:

• Clear expectations set in training
• Feedback mechanism from voters
• Team Captain spot-checks
• Remove problematic volunteers quickly but gracefully
• Focus on culture: “We represent Dave and Louisville”

Challenge: Volunteer Burnout

Solution:

• Encourage reasonable commitments (4 hours/month is valuable!)
• Rotate volunteers through different activities
• Watch for overcommitted individuals
• Mandatory rest week before final sprint
• Mental health check-ins for high-activity volunteers

Challenge: Geographic Coverage Gaps

Solution:

• Recruit specifically in underrepresented areas
• Paired canvassing (experienced + new volunteer)
• Literature drops in hard-to-cover areas
• Virtual phone banking from anywhere
• Ride-along with Dave to recruit in those areas

Challenge: Data Entry Backlog

Solution:

• Dedicated data entry volunteers
• Real-time data entry via apps (MiniVAN)
• Data entry parties (make it social)
• Hire part-time data coordinator if needed
• Simplified data collection forms

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VOLUNTEER SUCCESS STORIES (Examples to Share)

Maria’s Story:

“I’d never done anything political before. But Dave’s plan made so much sense – evidence-based, not political. I knocked my first door terrified. The voter thanked me for coming and said she’d been waiting for someone like Dave. I knocked 200 more doors that day. Now I’m a Team Captain training others.”

James’s Story:

“As a retired teacher, I wanted to do something meaningful. Phone banking seemed safe (no door knocking!). I’ve made 5,000 calls. You know what I’ve learned? Louisville voters are smart. They get it when you explain the evidence. We’re winning this because voters recognize real leadership when they see it.”

The JCPS Students:

“Our Political Science class did a project on Dave’s campaign. We ended up forming our own volunteer team. Twenty of us knocked doors together on weekends. We registered 300 new voters. We’re not old enough to vote yet, but we’re building the Louisville we’ll inherit.”

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FINAL CHECKLIST: BUILDING TO 1,000 VOLUNTEERS

Months 1-3: Foundation

☐ Recruit 50 core volunteers
☐ Train all 50 systematically
☐ Develop 5-10 Team Captains
☐ Set up volunteer database
☐ Create training materials
☐ Host first appreciation event

Months 4-8: Growth

☐ Scale to 250 volunteers
☐ Launch volunteer recruitment campaigns
☐ Implement retention program
☐ Build out specialized teams
☐ Host quarterly celebration
☐ Optimize systems based on learnings

Months 9-12: Peak

☐ Recruit to 1,000 volunteers
☐ All specialized teams operational
☐ Daily shift operations
☐ Election Day plan finalized
☐ GOTV training completed
☐ Victory party planned

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THE BOTTOM LINE

Volunteers win elections.

Your job is to:
1. Make it easy to volunteer
2. Make it meaningful
3. Make it fun
4. Make them feel valued
5. Make history together

1,000 volunteers × 100 contacts each = 100,000 voters reached

100,000 voters reached = Election won

Let’s build this army. ????

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VOLUNTEER MOBILIZATION GUIDE

Goal: 1,000 Active Volunteers by Election Day

Strategy: Recruit, Train, Deploy, Appreciate, Retain

Result: Victory for Louisville

rundaverun.org/volunteer

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Volunteer Mobilization Guide | Created October 2025 | For Dave Biggers Mayoral Campaign