HOST GUIDE

How to host a Listen to Win training

Thank you for hosting a Listen to Win training with Swing Left! This guide will help you organize a successful event.

In a fractured political environment, it is both more challenging and more important to engage with those who might not vote like us (or not vote at all!). We know talking with voters works, but more often than not, Democratic campaigns start too late and target too narrowly. They underinvest in persuasion conversations, and ignore potential voters because they’re unlisted or mislisted in the data Democrats rely on. Swing Left's new Ground Truth canvassing program will change that. By starting early and having deep listening conversations with every voter, we’re uncovering concerns that campaigns need to address, earning trust in communities that might feel overlooked, and making sure Democrats are speaking to what people actually need. That’s how we help Democrats flip the House and Senate in the 2026 midterm elections, and build durable Democratic majorities into the next decade.

This new approach to voter contact means we’ll be talking with all kinds of people, and we know that can be intimidating. Whether you’re canvassing or phone banking with Ground Truth, simply talking with a neighbor, or anything in between, honing your empathetic listening skills will help us engage in productive conversations—and ultimately change the hearts and minds we need to win. 

At these events, you will:

• Introduce your attendees to Swing Left’s 2026 strategy (updated to account for added targets and a longer-term vision!)

• Go deep on how to have effective conversations with all types of voters through empathetic listening and building common ground.

• Build attendees’ confidence in their ability to talk to voters so they’re ready to participate in Ground Truth canvasses and/or phone banks.

Getting started

• Finalize the date, time, and location of your event. Be sure to give yourself enough time to plan and recruit.

  • Time: The recommend program for this event is 1.5 hours. If you want some extra time to mix and mingle before and after the program, you can round up to 2 hours!

  • Location: The slide presentation includes videos recorded by Swing Left. When selecting a location for your event, keep in mind  that you’ll need to be able to play these videos (with sound) using the internet.

• Post your event on Mobilize. Once you’ve worked out the event details, post the event on Mobilize using this link.

• Recruit attendees for your event. Promote the Mobilize event with your group, and encourage members to spread the word to their own networks.

Before your event

Plan your program

Review Swing Left’s sample slide presentation and sample agenda*. Reach out to your Swing Left staff contact if you need help customizing the program for your needs!

*These materials included pre-recorded videos you can use to facilitate your event. If you'd prefer to present yourself, and not use the videos, scroll to the bottom for a version of the materials you can use.

Set up your next event

The main goal of this event is to get your group members comfortable  with, and excited about, having effective conversations with voters and  potential voters. After the event, you’ll want to capture their  commitment so you don’t lose momentum.

Post your next event on Mobilize in advance so you’re ready to ask  your attendees to sign up on the spot! This is your ‘call to action,’  and it’ll vary depending on where your group is located and when you’re  hosting your event. Some options include:

• If you’re in or near a target district, you might:

  • Priority: Host a Ground Truth canvass

  • Ask attendees to step up to help host a canvass

• If you’re outside a target district:

  • Priority: Host a Ground Truth phone bank

  • Direct attendees to sign up for a phone bank hosted by Swing Left National (every Wednesday and Sunday)

Gather your materials

• Consider what supplies you’ll need, such as nametags, scratch paper, and pens.

• Test your technology. Make sure you can display the slides and videos provided by Swing Left. Most of the presentation is through recorded videos created by Swing Left and a Youtube clip that the main activity is based around, so please make sure you can successfully play videos with sound.

Lead your event

Event logistics

When guests arrive, be sure to take attendance. Use a sign-in sheet or take attendance on Mobilize by changing their status to “completed” when they check in. Add anyone who didn't originally sign up to Mobilize using the "new attendee” button.

Agenda at a glance

• Welcome and introductions

• Icebreaker (recorded video)

• Swing Left’s strategy

• Ground Truth overview + listening training (recorded video)

• Practice via interactive activities

• Next steps

Hosting tips

• Be inclusive and connect with attendees. Greet each person when they arrive and sign them in. Creating real connections is the most important step towards building a strong team, so take the time at your event to get to know each other, to create a sense of shared purpose, and to build community.

• Delegate tasks to other people. Having a role in the event increases the likelihood that people will show up. For example, ask for volunteers to bring a snack, or ask someone to lead a section of the agenda so you’re not the only one speaking.

• Stay on schedule. Start on time and follow your event agenda. It’s fine to keep questions and answers short so that you keep moving and don’t keep people too late.

• Be positive and constructive. Keep the tone upbeat—this is an exciting, fun, and participatory event!

• Show everyone what volunteering with Swing Left looks like! Share a group photo, video, or anecdote from your event on social media. Tag @swingleft so that we can repost your content.

After your event

• Update your attendance on Mobilize by marking people as “completed” or “no show.” This will allow you to keep track of your attendees and their contact information.

• Send a thank you email to all attendees after the event. Recap any relevant resources, and include the link to your next event to make sure everyone signs up!

• Show everyone what Swing Left looks like! Share a group photo, video, or anecdote from your event on Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook (or all three)! Tag @swingleft and use the hashtag #SwingLeft to help us retweet/repost!