Ready to Run® Iowa, a nonpartisan campaign training program offered every other spring by the Carrie Chapman Catt Center for Women and Politics, will be back in 2025 with several new session topics.
“Increasing the number of women running for elective office and serving on boards and commissions in Iowa continues to be a central part of the Catt Center’s mission,” said Carrie Ann Johnson, associate director of outreach and communication at the center. “Our Ready to Run® Iowa campaign training program provides practical training for anyone considering entering public office.”
The 2025 Ready to Run Iowa program will consist of six workshops held over three Fridays in February, March, and April.
The February 21 workshops will be held virtually and will cover ways to get involved in politics (both through elected office and by appointment to boards and commissions), Iowa election laws, entering a race, tips for overcoming doubts or anxiety about serving in public office, and insights from women who have held elected office or served on boards in Iowa. The morning workshop will also have a special appearance by two former congresswomen from the Congress to Campus program—one Democrat and one Republican—who will discuss bipartisanship and public service.
The March 28 workshops, also held virtually, will cover the steps for launching a campaign, including creating a campaign plan, building a team and hosting campaign events, and discuss several aspects of campaign fundraising, including different sources of funds, how to ask for donations, and Iowa’s campaign finance rules and regulations.
The April 25 workshop will be held in person at Iowa State University’s Reiman Gardens and will cover crafting your campaign message, working with the news media, and talking with constituents. Between the morning and afternoon workshops, participants can network over lunch and have a professional headshot photograph taken by the Catt Center’s public relations intern.
The schedule for the 2025 Ready to Run Iowa workshops is posted on the Catt Center website. More information about each session will be added as it becomes available.
Registration is required for all six workshops, but is free for the February and March virtual workshops. The $25 registration fee for each of the April workshops covers lunch and refreshments and is waived for Iowa State students. Registration opens one month prior to each workshop date.
If you would like to be added to the Ready to Run Iowa mailing list, please email the Catt Center at cattcntr@iastate.edu.