Precinct Chair Training

Training Course Catalog
Introduction.  The Bexar County Democratic Party has numerous training courses that provide the tools Precinct Chairs and Coordinators need to get out the vote (GOTV).  Once Summer/Fall classes are scheduled they will be listed below and also on the BCDP Calendar.

Training Course #1: Developing Your Precinct
The first course that all new precinct chairs and coordinators should take.  Existing chairs and coordinators are invited as well.  New information gets added, so if it’s been a while, come back to class!

Next Class: Wednesday, Oct 14th, 6:30 - 8pm
Prerequisite: None
Register/Info/Additional Dates:  Click HERE

Training Course #2: Looking at Data
Take a deep dive into the Bexar Elections website to learn about how it can help our GOTV efforts.  

Next Class: Thursday, Sep 17th, 6:30 - 7:30pm
Prerequisite: None
Register/Info/Additional Dates: Click HERE

Training Course #3: Basic VAN Skills
You will use the Voter Activation Network (VAN) system to create lists of Democratic voters in your precinct.  ​

​Next Class: Saturday, Sept 19, 10am - Noon
Prerequisites:

• Training Course #1: Developing your precinct  
• ​Ensure that your VAN account has been created, and access it at least one time before attending class. To request a VAN account click here: https://apps.bexardemocrat.org/van-access​ ​

Register/Info/Additional Dates: Click HERE

Training Course #4: Advanced VAN Training
Continuation of the Basic VAN Skills course. 
Course Objectives. Lean how to:

• Do research and update voter information
• Print labels
• Create and manage phone banks

​​Next Class: Not Scheduled
Course Duration: 2 hours
Prerequisite:

• Training Course #1: Developing your precinct.  
• Ensure that your VAN account has been created, and access it at least one time before attending class. To request a VAN account click here: https://apps.bexardemocrat.org/van-access​

Register/Info/Additional Dates: TBD

Training Course #5: Volunteer Voter Registrar by the County 

More Information:  Please Contact Co chairs 
for more information or to volunteer for an event.                              
   Teresa Mazuca - Email
   Gina Sandoval - Email

Training Course #6: Voting By Mail
Help voters to register to vote by mail.
Course Objectives. Learn how to:

• Obtain an Application for Ballot By Mail (ABBM)
• Fill out an ABBM
• Find 65+ voters in VAN

Next Class:  TBD
Prerequisite: None
Register/Info/Additional Dates:  Around the first of September, each Precinct Chair will get a email event to this event.

Training Course #7: Robert's Rules of Order
This course covers:

• How a meeting should run, from the viewpoints of both the chair and an organization's other members and how you should take part in it effectively.
• What remedies you can use if the meeting runs off the rails and a brief description of those obscure parts of Roberts' Rules that you don't think you need - until you do, then you look them up.

Next Class: Tuesday, Nov 17th, 6:30-8pm
Prerequisite: None
​Register/Info/Additional Dates: Check back for registration info.

Training Course #8: Civic Engagement.  Taught by former SA City Council Member, John Courage

Next Class: Not Scheduled
Prerequisite: None
​More Info: 
As a precinct chair, it's important to understand how government works because you're going to get in conversations with your neighbors and it's good to be informed. This course will teach what happens at the local level and at the state level; how laws are made, budgeted and implemented; and how you can engage your neighbors to vote.