Kamala Harris Launches Innovative Iowa Campus Distributed Organizing Program to Train and Empower Students
“Students for Kamala” will participate in trainings and receive a digital campus toolkit
“Kamala Campus Captains” will serve as leaders to organize their own communities
As students start to move back to Iowa’s college and community college campuses this week, Kamala’s campaign is reigniting its campus organizing program with the “Students for Kamala” initiative. Last spring, Kamala Harris became the first presidential candidate to launch a program to organize and train students. “Students for Kamala” will help the campaign continue to build a broad coalition of Harris supporters on campus, including many first-time caucusgoers from diverse backgrounds.
Distributed organizing programs put the power in the hands of supporters, giving them the tools and training necessary to run their own programs that are tailored to the unique needs of their communities. This campus organizing program will train and give students the resources they need to be involved in the caucus process, in organizing, and in progressive causes far beyond the 2020 cycle. This includes providing the “Campus Toolkit,” a unique digital organizing tool that will allow students to access resources such as policy one-pagers, storytelling trainings, and relational organizing materials on their phones at any time.
“Students for Kamala” will begin in full force during move-in week, with Harris organizers tabling alongside student groups such as College Democrats chapters and signing students up to get involved at high-traffic at locations around campus.
Harris Iowa Campaign Chair and former Drake University student Deidre DeJear said, “I really got my start in politics through active engagement at Drake. Our campaign is going to show students that their voices matter, and that their activism for Kamala Harris can just be the start of their political involvement in Iowa. Welcome week is a great opportunity for us to get in touch with students as they are planning out their semester, and we are making informing, motivating, and mobilizing students a key priority.”
The initiative builds upon the extensive organizing program the campaign has already established in Iowa. The campaign will bring the “Kamala Captains” program it launched in the beginning of August to campuses. “Kamala Campus Captains” will be a core part of the campaign’s volunteer network and will serve as leaders and precinct captains for Harris on their campuses. It will also hold the second series of “Camp Kamala” student and youth organizing trainings, which first occurred on a number of campuses in April.
In addition, the campaign will host new “Campus Caucus Trainings” tailored to inform students about the caucus process, including the new virtual caucus option. “Students for Kamala” will have individual chapters at various campuses, including “Hawkeyes for Harris,” “Bulldogs For the People,” “Cyclone Students for Kamala,” “Panthers for Harris,” among others.
This targeted investment will harness the energy and enthusiasm the campaign has seen from young people since Harris launched her campaign in February, and extends the reach of the organizing efforts that are already reaching into every county and precinct in Iowa.
Monday, August 19
Team Kamala at DMACC – Ankeny Campus Kick-Off!
When: 11:00 am
Where: DMACC Ankeny Campus, 2006 S Ankeny Blvd., Ankeny, IA 50023
Tuesday, August 20
Cyclone Students for Kamala Freshman Move-In Canvassing
When: 9:00 am and 1:00 pm
Where: Iowa State University, Ames, IA, 50011
Hawkeyes For Harris Move-In Canvassing
When: 12:00 pm and 3:00 pm
Where: The University of Iowa, T. Anne Cleary Walkway, Iowa City, IA 52240
Wednesday, August 21
Bulldogs For the People Move-In Canvassing
When: 9:00 am and 1:00 pm
Where: Drake University, 2507 University Ave., Des Moines, IA 50311
Panthers for Harris Move-In Tabling
When: 10:00 am and 12:00 pm
Where: Maucker Union, 063 Sabin-Maucker, University of Northern Iowa, 1227 W 27th St., Cedar Falls, IA 50614
Hawkeyes For Harris Move-In Canvassing
When: 1:00 pm
Where: The University of Iowa, T. Anne Cleary Walkway, Iowa City, IA 52240
Hawkeyes for Harris On Iowa! Farmers Market Canvassing
When: 5:00 pm
Where: Chauncey Swan Ramp, 410 E Washington St., Iowa City, IA 52240
Bulldogs For the People Papa Keno’s Trivia Night!
When: 7:30 pm
Where: Papa Keno’s, 2330 University Ave., Des Moines, IA 50311
Thursday, August 22
Panthers for Harris Move-In Tabling
When: 10:00 am and 12:00 pm
Where: Maucker Union, 063 Sabin-Maucker, University of Northern Iowa, 1227 W 27th St., Cedar Falls, IA 50614
Cyclone Students for Kamala Destination Iowa State Tabling with ISU College Democrats
When: 11:00 am and 2:00 pm
Where: Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011
Hawkeyes For Harris Move-In Canvassing
When: 2:00 pm
Where: The University of Iowa, T. Anne Cleary Walkway, Iowa City, IA 52240
Hawkeyes for Harris On Iowa! Late Night Activities Canvassing
When: 7:30 pm
Where: Hancher Auditorium, 141 East Park Rd., Iowa City, IA, 52242
Saturday, August 24
Hawkeyes for Harris On Iowa! Farmers Market Canvassing
When: 8:00 am and 10:00 am
Where: Chauncey Swan Ramp, 410 E Washington St. Iowa City, IA 52240
Sunday, August 25
Hawkeyes for Harris Student Block Party Tabling
When: 5:00 pm
Where: 102 Church St., Iowa City, IA 52245
Monday, August 26
Cyclone Students for Kamala First Day of Class Canvassing
When: 9:00 am and 12:00 pm
Where: Iowa State University Library, Ames, IA 50011
Bulldogs For the People First Day of Class Canvassing
When: 10:00 am and 12:00 pm
Where: Olmstead Breezeway, Drake University, 2875 University Ave., Des Moines, IA 50311
Hawkeyes for Harris First Day of Class Canvassing
When: 12:00 pm and 3:00 pm
Where: The University of Iowa, T. Anne Cleary Walkway, Iowa City, IA 52240
Panthers for Harris Welcome Back BBQ Canvassing
When: 5:00 pm
Where: Maucker Union, 063 Sabin-Maucker, University of Northern Iowa, 1227 W 27th St., Cedar Falls, IA 50614
Wednesday, August 28
Panthers for Harris Tabling at UNI Rainbow Reception
When: 5:00 pm
Where: Gallagher Bluedorn Performing Arts Center, 8201 Dakota St., Cedar Falls, IA 50614
Cyclone Students for Kamala WelcomeFest Tabling
When: 4:30 pm
Where: Memorial Union, 2229 Lincoln Way, Ames, IA 50014
Saturday, August 31
Cyclone Students for Kamala ISU v. UNI Tailgate Canvass
When: 8:00 am
Where: Jack Trice Stadium, Ames, IA 50011
