Operation Clean Government hosting Candidate School for aspiring candidates

MARGARET KANE, Operation Clean Government president, said Candidate School is "an ideal chance for candidates new to the political scene to get a complete briefing on the campaigning process." / COURTESY OPERATION CLEAN GOVERNMENT
MARGARET KANE, Operation Clean Government president, said Candidate School is "an ideal chance for candidates new to the political scene to get a complete briefing on the campaigning process." / COURTESY OPERATION CLEAN GOVERNMENT

PROVIDENCE – Operation Clean Government is holding Candidate School, a day-long educational seminar on Saturday about how to run for political office.
The seminar – OCG’s eighth – will be held in the student union ballroom at Rhode Island College.
“This is an ideal chance for candidates new to the political scene to get a complete briefing on the campaigning process,” OCG President Margaret Kane said in a statement.
Richard Thornton of the Board of Elections will join Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea and Ethics Commission Attorney Jason Grammit at the seminar to discuss eligibility, financial disclosure and ethical issues.
Phil West, an observer of the local political scene, will add commentary.
Kane also will lead a discussion entitled “Attributes of a successful candidate: What it takes to run and win.” State Sen. Louis DiPalma, Rep. Brian Newberry and former representative Linda Finn will join her on this panel.
Moderate Party founder and former gubernatorial candidate Ken Block will participate in a session on campaign organization.
Negative campaigning and self-defense strategies, as well as social media and websites such as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, also will be discussed.
The non-partisan program is designed to help first-time candidates, campaign workers and volunteers run ethical, winning campaigns. It will be hosted by the Political Science Department at Rhode Island College and is supported by clean government advocates within the community.
Since 2002, more than 650 aspirants for public office have attended OCG Candidate Schools.
The day will begin with an optional 8:45 a.m. continental breakfast, followed by the first session at 9:30 a.m. The event ends at 5 p.m. Registration fee is $110, which includes course materials, a one-year OCG membership, breakfast, lunch and refreshment during breaks. Paid attendees will receive a copy of the book, “The Essential Guide to Running for Local Office: How to Plan, Organize and Win Your Next Election,” by North Providence Town Councilman Paul Caranci.
Registration is available online at ocgri.org. Checks also can be mailed (no later than June 2) to Candidate School 2016, PO Box 8683, Warwick, RI 02888. Checks will be accepted at the door with advance notice to robertsanturrijr@gmail.com.

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