The second Ready to Run workshop took place at the Gateway Hotel Conference Center in Ames, Friday.

Put on by the Carrie Chapman Catt Center for Women and Politics, the workshops focused on fundraising and campaign messaging.

The activities within the workshops ranged from cultivating a campaign message, to working with the media.

David Martin, an Ames resident considering a run for Ames City Council, said that he found the fundraising portions of the workshop to be the most informative.

“To demystify that part of the process was great, and was all new insight for me,” he said.

Experts were on hand throughout the day to offer advice and tips to the participants about topics from asking for fundraising money, to setting a campaign spending goal.

Van. Honyang Shi, another Ames resident, said that she found out about Ready to Run through the Iowa State Daily.

“After I saw the post, and after watching the new president not answer the questions I still have, I wanted to learn more about the process and get more involved,” she said.

As a Chinese Buddhist nun, Shi said that her personal goals revolve around working in harmony with others. She currently helps provide social welfare care for the Ames community.

She said that her biggest takeaway from the day was “knowing your message.”

“You must be able to be on target, and communicate well with others, which I plan to work on,” she said.

Another participant, Jamie Myers, has no current plans to run for office, but came to the program to learn more about the political process.

“I wanted to know more about how to support other political campaigns,” she said.

Myers said that her favorite parts of the day were the times when lobbyists spoke about their positions, and hearing from all the people who help work on campaigns.

“All the different aspects of the day were enjoyable,” she said.

This was the second of three total Ready to Run workshops that the Catt Center is presenting this year.

Martin said that he liked how “encouraging” the Catt Center was throughout the day, and in general.

“I’m impressed with the amount of work they do,” he said.

The third and final Ready to Run workshop will take place Friday, April 28th at the Holiday Inn Conference Center in Ames.

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