Using MiniVAN for Canvassing

Using MiniVAN for Canvassing

By Peter Dougherty
45 min
Data Management

Course Outline

Content
  • 4 Videos
  • 1 Activity (15 min)
What You Need
  • Just yourself!

What You’ll Learn

  • Explore the capabilities of the MiniVAN application
  • Determine how to best use MiniVAN on your campaign 
  • Train volunteers on MiniVAN to prepare them for a successful canvass
  • Create systems of accountability for synching data collected via MiniVAN

Why This is Important

When running a campaign, having a face-to-face conversation is the most effective way to turn out voters, but classic, paper-packet canvassing requires a lot of resources. By utilizing MiniVAN for your canvassing efforts, you can save time, money, and improve the experience of canvassers. 

Key Resources

  • NGP VAN MiniVANual
  • Sample GOTV Canvass Script
  • NGPVAN Mobile Canvassing Guide
  • Sample Canvass Training Agenda

Related Trainings

  • Field Tactics — Canvassing and phone bank packets aren’t the only thing volunteers need to succeed. You also need to train and manage them — this course teaches the best techniques for training field volunteers. 
  • Targeting Voters — This course helps you identify and reach the voters you need to gain support from in order to win.
  • VoteBuilder 101 — Introduces the software Democratic campaigns across the country use to develop voter contact plans. Using this software helps you organize your field efforts and reach your vote goal.
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Peter Dougherty

Trainer

Peter Dougherty is a campaign operative with almost a decade of experience working to support Democratic candidates. Most recently, Peter served as the Deputy Coordinated and Voter Contact Director for President Joe Biden’s successful campaign in Pennsylvania, leading one of the largest organizing programs in the country. Peter was the New Hampshire Organizing Director for Joe Biden’s primary campaign and went on to oversee the Biden team’s organizing program in the Florida primary, where Biden won every county and city in the state. Peter spent half a decade overseeing field programs and managing campaigns on congressional campaigns and local races. Afterwards, Peter worked for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee as their Southern Regional Field Director and oversaw the historic flip of the U.S. House of Representatives in 2018. Peter has worked on or helped oversee campaigns in 17 different states and supports campaigns at every level.