The Common Power Way of Experiencing Elections
We understand that education and community power our movement. That’s why our travel into communities to talk with voters includes learning from local leaders and building understanding across race and age within our team.
Fieldwork is where our differences are united in a common purpose. Fieldwork Assembly is how we hone that purpose.
At Common Power we go further together.
How we (Field)Work
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 are moved ourselves to learn and participate in the communities we touch. Educating ourselves on the communities and 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. A just and inclusive democracy demands we work with people that do not look like us or think like us but are willing to walk beside us. Teams that are diverse across age and race are more resilient and innovative. We build collaborative environments where community can thrive and next generation leaders can develop skills.
2022 FIeldwork Stats
Our success is measured by more than the number of doors we knock. Learn why, below.
IN TEAMS.
WITH LOCAL PARTNERS.
ALL YEAR.
EVERY YEAR.
In Teams
We work in community and in Teams, organized around collective action in a key state. Through working collaboratively, we overcome challenges we may face and stay motivated for the long haul.
Volunteer leadership that is intentionally diverse across age, race, and gender.
We work to build the leadership capacity of our team leads by offering training, resources, networking opportunities, financial support and — most critically — the opportunity to tangibly work with those on the ground across the country that are fighting daily to build a more just country.
Doorknocking in pairs and carpools for comradery.
Canvassing in groups is just more fun! The support of teammates ensures the experience is both impactful and sustainable.
Learning and debriefing as a team during and after fieldwork trips.
We build lasting relationships with each other as we share challenges, highlights, feedback, and tips and tricks. The community built in each team and on each trip carries through all of CP.
Community in remote work
Part of sustaining our effort means ensuring we create opportunities to work together even if we’re remote. This looks like:
Community sessions before and after phonebanks
Postcarding, letter writing parties
Watch parties of elections and debates
Developing Next-Generation Leaders
A movement lasts beyond an election and building capacity for our future ensures the work continues. Young leaders (currently Gen Z) operate in decision-making positions as they organize actions and lead teams in the field. Growing the next generation of civically committed leaders is the best investment in our democracy.
With Local Partners
The most lasting change is driven by local citizens. As out-of-state volunteers, we recognize our privilege. We defer to local citizens who live and work in community and will continue to do so after we leave. While on the ground we fully adopt our partner’s plans, priorities and tactics.
We seek out partners in our selected states that know the political landscape, can support our volunteer volume and are committed and connected to progressive causes and candidates.
CP Partner Organization in Virginia, New Virginia Majority
We partner with organizations that:
know the political landscape
can support our volunteer volume
are committed and connected to progressive causes and candidates
In particular, we look for partners who align with our values and are:
BIPOC / femme led
center the needs of and focus outreach on marginalized communities in their work
are invested in youth engagement
do work year-round
CP with You Can Vote, our partner in North Carolina (2022)
These partnerships ensure our teams are effective while in-state, and help us keep our out-of-state perspectives to ourselves… ;-)
We’re field multipliers
How We Choose Our States
In 2020, we worked in 20+ states. In 2021 and 2022, we narrowed our focus to seven core states and have expanded to additional states for the 2022 midterms. In 2023, we are focused in VA, KY, PA, and WA.
We selected our core states based on three key criteria:
1. History of Voter Suppression of Black & Brown Communities
Our Mindset principle inspires this first criterion. As we fight for a democracy that is more just & inclusive, we focus on states where justice and inclusivity in elections have been directly targeted by extreme voter suppression of Black and brown communities.
2. Trusted Grassroots Movements
Our Mobilize principle inspires our second criterion. In following the lead of partner organizations, we prioritize states where local grassroots groups have built trust and strong momentum with voters.
3. Ability to Foster Cross-racial & Cross-generational Team Building
Our Mojo principle inspires the final criterion. Because we do this work in community, we’ve chosen states where the local civil rights history and authentic partner organization connection are conducive to fostering cross-generational and cross-racial team building.
All Year. Every Year.
Civic engagement should not be driven by political crises. Elections naturally have periods of low and high intensity. Instead of ramping up or spinning down constantly, we sustain our work through programming and community. CP Fieldwork is a part of a holistic effort to build a just and inclusive democracy that includes education and advocacy.
