THE COMMON POWER
We’re intentional. We don’t just get out the vote at doors, we make connections with voters. We don’t just volunteer for self-enrichment, we are building relationships with each other because we’re all here with a common purpose. That’s why when we travel into communities to talk with voters, it includes learning from local leaders, and building understanding across race and age within our team.
THE COMMON POWER WAY OF EXPERIENCING ELECTIONS
VOTER ENGAGEMENT
We move voters at doors to win elections. We believe electing the right people to the right office is the most effective path to create lasting advances in voting rights and to our democracy.
POLITICAL EDUCATION
We move ourselves to learn. Educating ourselves on the political environment we work in results in more meaningful interactions, creates better practices, and sustains involvement
LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT
We move each other to work across differences. Diverse teams across age and race are more resilient and innovative. We build collaborative environments where the community can thrive and next-gen leaders can develop skills.
How do we make canvassing easy?
WE ALWAYS WORK IN TEAMS
TAKE ACTION TOGETHER
We actually live out the saying “further together” and don’t let our volunteers work alone. You’ll see that in training with our Volunteer Trainers, in traveling with our Team Leads, and in doorknocking as a group, we do it as teams (even volunteer remotely in-person).
On the ground, volunteers arrive and depart together as a Team. Whether you’re there for the entire trip or just a couple of days, you’re part of a larger Common Power cohort.
THE DAY-TO-DAY AS A FIELDWORK TEAM
An average State Team trip is 5 days, Friday through Wednesday, but volunteers are welcome to attend for however many days they are available to travel. Friday and Wednesday are designated travel days. Saturday through Tuesday are dedicated to taking action as a team through canvassing turf, attending local events and rallies, and learning about the community we’re canvassing in. Travel dates are determined by the urgency for voter turn-out, the request of assistance, and availability of our local partners. Unless announced otherwise, most trips occur the weekend before an election to do rapid GOTV work and view election results together.
Attend an upcoming session of Volunteer Training 103: Traveling with CP to learn more about how we travel together.
Team Nevada at a hotel in Las Vegas, NV.
MORNING MEETINGS
The Team meets every morning at the hotel lobby to get the latest information and your day’s assignments. After breakfast, we share updates on carpools, turf locations, and mini-van refreshers before heading out to get out the vote!
Carpool group in Phoenix, AZ.
CARPOOL GROUPS
Volunteers are in carpool groups that our Team Leads organize. We intentionally pair inexperienced volunteers with experienced ones. These volunteers will then tackle neighborhoods together for the rest of the day.
New carpool groups are assigned each day so volunteers can work (and get to know) everyone on the team.
Volunteers doorknocking in Philadelphia, PA.
DOORKNOCKING TOGETHER
For the majority of the day, the carpool groups will work together to complete a collection of turfs our partners have given us for the trip. The average carpool group can finish up to 4 turfs a day.
In the middle of the day, carpool groups will take a break for lunch nearby before finishing their turfs.
Group debrief at hotel in Richmond, VA.
EVENING DEBRIEFS
Everyone gathers again every evening to debrief and share the day’s challenges, highlights, feedback, and tips and tricks.
This is what a typical day of doorknocking looks like, but we always make room for special events, or updates from partners. Rinse and repeat. By Day 3, you’ll be a pro.
STATE TRIPS ARE ORGANIZED BY TEAM LEADS
NV Team Leads during a morning meeting.
Fieldwork team together in VA 2023.
WI Team Leads organizing before doorknocking.
Team Leads are select volunteers across the country. Some come from our Institute Educators and Action Academy programs, some are super volunteers stepping up. All of them are ready to lead you to win this election!
Team Leads facilitate our doorknocking trips. They coordinate travel logistics, provide critical communications, and are the organizers in the field when you travel with CP. Common Power offers Team Leads training, resources, networking opportunities, financial support and — most critically — the opportunity to tangibly work with those on the ground across the country.
If you are interested in lead teams, visit our Volunteer Roles page to find extra opportunities to level up your experience!
FIELDWORK ASSEMBLY
= Political Education + Leadership Development
Volunteers at Emancipation and Freedom Monument in Richmond, VA 2023.
While we’re on the ground, our team will speak to local experts who can share the political history of the community and inform us on the specific issues that voters care about. These assemblies, which often happen the morning before we doorknock, give our volunteers a deeper understanding of the communities they enter and engage with.
Dr. Donna Murch in PA, 2024
ED of Advance Carolina Marcus Bass in NC, 2024