HELP ELECT PROGRESSIVE DEMOCRATS IN 2008 Frequently Asked Questions What Former Patriot Corps Staffers Have to Say Meet the 2006 Patriot Corps Senator Feingold has long believed that a strong grassroots field program is the key to electoral victory. As such, Senator Feingold's Progressive Patriots Fund created the Patriot Corps in 2006 as a way to support progressive candidates across the nation. In the lead-up to the 2008 election, the Progressive Patriots Fund will again be hiring, training and sending field staff to key races across the country. “We're looking to hire energetic, personable activists that want to make a difference in the 2008 election cycle.” - Russ Feingold The program will run from September 4th – November 12th, 2008. Participants will be paid $500/week and will be provided housing free of charge on their assigned campaigns. Once chosen, Patriot Corps members will participate in an extensive, multi-day training program in Milwaukee, WI. Senator Feingold’s senior staff will personally train participants. Training will run from Thursday, Sept. 4th – Saturday, Sept. 6th. Participants will be expected to report to their assigned campaign on Tuesday, Sept. 9th. This training will focus on volunteer recruitment, organizing a canvass, running a phone bank, working with local activists, advanced GOTV training, and staffing a candidate. Patriot Corps members will then be placed on targeted campaigns across the country for the last two months leading up to the election. In 2006, Patriot Corps staff members were placed on a wide variety of campaigns including Amy Klobuchar for Senate, Jennifer Granholm for Governor, Bill Winter for Congress, Steve Kagen for Congress, Ned Lamont for Senate, Rich Olive for State Senate, John Courage for Congress and Patricia Madrid for Congress. While we’re looking for organizers with experience, we’re also hoping to hire activists with a willingness to learn, word hard, and bring victory home this fall. For more information or to apply for the Patriots Corps Program, please contact Paula Zellner at zellner@progressivepatriotsfund.com or 715-735-7811. All applications must be submitted by Monday, July 28th. PATRIOT CORPS FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ) What will my work schedule be like? While your workweek will be established by your individual campaigns, field organizers on a competitive campaign are often expected to work 7 days a week. It is not uncommon for campaigns to establish a workday that can be 10-12 hours per day. We are looking for a significant commitment from Patriot Corps participants and you should understand this before you decide if this program is right for you. Participants should not expect to leave the campaign site for any significant amount of time during the eight weeks they are working on their assigned campaign. How will I get to the training in Milwaukee and to and from my assigned campaign? Participants are expected to make their own arrangements for travel to Milwaukee for the initial Patriot Corps training in September. The Progressive Patriots Fund will help subsidize your expenses by reimbursing you for your gas costs for travel from the Milwaukee training to your assigned campaign and your return to Milwaukee following the election. While having access to a car is not a requirement for participation in the program, it is strongly recommended that Patriot Corps participants have their own vehicle. In order to be effective campaigners, applicants are generally expected to be able to provide transportation to travel around their district. Where will I be housed during the training in Milwaukee and after being assigned to a campaign? Housing will be provided for all participants during the training in Milwaukee. Once on the campaign, housing will be provided at no cost to you by the local campaigns. The Progressive Patriots Fund will work with local campaigns to ensure basic housing arrangements are made for all Patriot Corps employees. In most cases this will mean living with a local campaign staff person or volunteer. What support will I get from the Progressive Patriots Fund while working on my assigned campaign? Guidance and support will be provided through weekly conference calls with Progressive Patriots Fund staff. In addition, your trainers will be available to answer any questions you may have and will work with you to address any challenges you face while working on your assigned campaign. What campaign will I be sent to? Senator Feingold will be deciding throughout the summer and fall as to which campaigns we will be targeting. The Progressive Patriots Fund will match Patriot Corp participants with campaigns where they will have the greatest impact. Participants will not be given a list of campaigns from which to choose for their placement.   What Former Patriot Corps Staffers Have to Say