Swing Left Team Up
Swing Left's Team Up training program brings together a core team of new co-leaders to start a Swing Left group in their community to defend democracy and defeat MAGA extremism by winning elections for Democrats in the most competitive races.
We’re looking for new leaders like you to team up and start your Swing Left group! Starting a local group is a powerful way to build community and engage volunteers to make change at the state and national level—and we're here to support you as you go.
Attend an in-person kickoff training
Get matched with a team of co-leaders
Receive ongoing support & resources
Applications are now closed for the 2024 Team Up program. But, we'd love to help you start and lead a Swing Left group in your community! Schedule a meeting with our team to get started.
Why organize with Swing Left?
Swing Left connects volunteers and donors to the elections where their resources can most effectively make a difference in the outcomes of competitive races.
- We’re focused on the elections that decide the balance of power in this country. By electing Democrats and defeating MAGA extremists—in state-level and national races—we can bring about positive change, preserve our democracy, and defend our freedoms.
- We're committed to harnessing and supporting long-lasting grassroots energy, momentum, and infrastructure by engaging in year-round electoral work.
- We coordinate directly with campaigns and on-the-ground partners so we're working strategically and aren’t duplicating efforts.
- We provide training, resources, and materials to build your group, power up your organizing, and support your effective action taking.
Since they launched in 2022, Swing Left West Valley focuses on canvassing in CA-27, and getting together to write letters and raise money for candidates.
Why start a Swing Left group?
Starting a Swing Left group is an effective way to increase your impact. We’ll match you with other new leaders in your area to work together to start a group.
- Build community with other volunteers in your neighborhood or broader city and give people opportunities to make a difference.
- Amplify your impact by hosting voter contact events and recruiting new volunteers to join you.
- Connect joyfully in this work—taking action with others in your community is more energizing, fun, and powerful than taking action alone.
Swing Left groups have written millions of Vote Forward letters to voters.
Program FAQs
When is the deadline to apply?
The application for 2024 is now closed. Interested in starting a Swing Left group in your community? Meet with an organizer instead to get started!
Who can participate?
This is a location-based program, and we’re looking for applicants who can commit to leading a local group in your home community. The ideal candidate for this program is not yet a leader of a local group, but wants to go deeper with their strategic action taking beyond a single volunteer shift or even joining an existing progressive group in their area.
What will I learn at the kickoff training?
Expect a mix of presentations, interactive sessions, and small-group discussions. After the Team Up kickoff training, you'll have access to Swing Left's Group Leader Toolkit with online how-to guides and resources, plus frequent opportunities to meet with Swing Left staff for continued training.
Topics covered at the kickoff training include:
- Benefits of group organizing
- Community organizing fundamentals
- Building a strong and effective team
- Planning strategic actions
- Recruiting and retaining volunteers
- Swing Left tools, tactics, and resources
What is the time commitment for the Team Up program?
Participants should plan to attend one in-person training session (3-6 hours, depending on your location) to get your Swing Left group started with fellow volunteer leaders in your community.
The cadence for your subsequent meetings and leader collaboration is totally up to you and your co-leaders based on your group's needs.
Who will I be co-leading a group with?
We will assemble a team of 3-5 participants who will then form a Swing Left group together. Participants will be other like-minded volunteer leaders in your city. Based on the number of applicants we have, we might create additional teams that cover different geographic regions (e.g. specific neighborhoods, suburbs, or nearby cities). When you're accepted to the program, you'll be e-introduced to your teammates!
We’ll do our best to recruit co-leaders for anyone who applies! However, if we do not receive enough applications from volunteers in your particular city, we will reach out to you personally with options to determine what will work best for you.
Following the Team Up kickoff training, what will I do as a Swing Left group leader?
As a new Swing Left group leader, you’ll work with co-leaders in your community to organize volunteers and take action on the highest priority races nearby.
Swing Left will support you in recruiting group members and planning action opportunities, such as canvassing, phone banking, letter writing, and fundraising.
As a co-leader, you might be responsible for things like volunteer communications, hosting events, training other volunteers, or data management.
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