Candidate Training Program

The Sorensen Institute is proud to announce the graduation of the Candidate Training Program Class of 2008.

For the first time in the nearly 10-year history of the program, our Candidate Training Program was held at James Madison's Montpelier near Orange. The facilities and setting proved to be a big hit among the participants.

This year's CTP class included four Sorensen alumni: Brandon Hudson and Charniele Herring (Political Leaders Program Class of 2006), and Terron Sims and Vance Ayres (Political Leaders Program Class of 2007).

Click here to meet all the members of the Candidate Training Program Class of 2008.

Click here to learn more about Sorensen's unique Candidate Training Program.

Quentin Kidd is an Associate professor of political science at Christopher Newport University in Newport News. He specializes in the study of southern politics, civic engagement, and political behavior. Dr. Kidd is a faculty member for the Sorensen Institute’s College and High School Leaders Programs. He served for eleven years in the Army and Army Reserve as a psychological warfare specialist, including a combat tour in Kuwait and Iraq during the Persian Gulf War in 1991 where he was awarded an Army Commendation Medal with “v” device for actions in combat.

Dr. Kidd was a keynote speaker at the Sorensen Institute's Candidate Training Program in Charlottesville on January 26.  His talk—Love Lost: Byrd-Era Values and Suburban Virginia Voters—examined the development of politics in Virginia since the collapse of the Byrd machine. We believe you will agree that Dr. Kidd's take on the modern landscape of Virginia politics, especially his interpretation of very recent trends and elections, is enlightening and compelling. This podcast is a "must-listen" for Republicans and Democrats alike, indeed all of us who are interested and care about public affairs in the Commonwealth. It lasts just under 12 minutes.

The Sorensen Institute's Candidate Training Program was the subject of news coverage this past weekend. Network TV affiliates in both the Charlottesville and Richmond markets reported on the history and success of the program.

CBS 19 in Charlottesville reported that The Executive Director of the Sorensen Institute believes the program in its 12th year is unique."It's
not a program for campaign managers, or press secretaries. This is a
program for candidates, so everybody who is that room, is thinking
about this in terms of their personal life, and how this is going to
affect them going forward," said Sean O'Brien. The program teaches the "nuts and bolts" of an ethical and powerful campaign. It
has seen 43 graduates over the years. Six of them are currently
serving in the House of Delegates, and 21 have been appointed to boards
and commissions by the governor. 

Click here to read/view the full story that ran in Charlottesville on CBS 19.

This coming weekend, January 26-28, the Sorensen Institute will host its annual Candidate Training Program in Charlottesville. Over two dozen Virginians from across the Commonwealth will participate in the program this year. We will have more to report about the class next week right here on the blog.

Meanwhile, from the Sorensen Archive comes this Public Radio story that explores our Candidate Training Program in detail. The story was produced by "With Good Reason" and was broadcast on NPR stations throughout Virginia in October of last year. It includes interviews with Sorensen staff, alumni, and students and instructors of the Candidate Training Program Class of 2006.

A Reminder: The Sorensen Institute will host a reception for alumni and prospective
students in the Southside region in Danville TONIGHT, October
30.

The event will be held downtown at the Yene Fusion Cafe from 5:30-7:30pm. Light fare will be provided and the bar will be open.

All
Sorensen alumni and board members in the area are invited to attend
and are encouraged to bring a friend or someone you know who might be
interested in applying to the Sorensen Institute for the 2007 program
season.

Applications are now being accepted for the Political Leaders Program, the Candidate Training Program, and the newly redesigned Danville-Southside Public Leadership Program.

This event is being co-hosted by the Sorensen Institute's Southside Regional Board.

This is certainly Sorensen Week on public radio stations across the Commonwealth. Here is yet another story that has been running on some NPR stations about the Sorensen Institute, which includes interviews with Executive Director Sean O'Brien, Political Leaders Program Class of 2004 graudate Holly Hatcher, Political Leaders Program Class of 2006 fellow Mike Farruggio, and Candidate Training Program Class of 2006 graduate Dave Norris.

The Sorensen Institute will host a reception for alumni and prospective students in the Southside region in Danville on Monday evening, October 30.

The event will be held downtown at the Yene Fusion Cafe from 5:30-7:30pm. Light fare will be provided and the bar will be open.

All Sorensen alumni and board members in that area are invited to attend and are encouraged to bring a friend or someone you know who might be interested in applying to the Sorensen Institute for the 2007 program season.

Applications are now being accepted for the Political Leaders Program, the Candidate Training Program, and the newly redesigned Danville-Southside Public Leadership Program.

This event is being co-hosted by the Sorensen Institute's Southside Regional Board.

Please RSVP for the event with Amber Capron at capron@virginia.edu.

The Sorensen Institute is hosting a happy hour and reception for prospective students at La Tasca Spanish Tapas Bar and Restaurant in Clarendon from 5:30-7:30pm this evening. We encourage our Sorensen alumni who will be in the area to please join us for this event.

The Sorensen Institute is now accepting applications for the 2007 class of the Political Leaders Program and the 2007 class of the Candidate Training Program Click here for more information on how to apply.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   

Sorensen Institute Opens Application Process for 2007 Season

Charlottesville—The Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership is now accepting applications for its 2007 program season. The 2007 Political Leaders Program will accept applications until November 13. The 2007 Candidate Training Program application deadline is December 4. For more information please visit the Sorensen website at www.sorenseninstitute.org.

The Sorensen Institute
The Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership was founded in 1993 to identify, educate, and train emerging leaders from across the Commonwealth. The Sorensen Institute is a non-partisan organization dedicated to improving the quality of governance and the strength of civic engagement in Virginia.

Through a variety of popular programs—from high school and college leaders to first-time political candidates and even current members of the General Assembly—the Sorensen Institute has established itself as a powerful and effective force for restoring public confidence in our political system. Former Governor Mark Warner has commented that, "This organization is incredibly important. Sorensen has become the model of successful bipartisan leadership training for the nation."

The Sorensen Institute has 13 graduates serving in the Virginia General Assembly with dozens more in critical positions of leadership in local government and community organizations throughout the Commonwealth. Sorensen aims to create ethical, principled leaders who are eager to put aside partisan stereotypes and work cooperatively with others who have different political affiliations than their own to improve the quality of life for all Virginians. The Sorensen Institute does not participate in campaigns on behalf of issues, causes, or candidates for office. Though it is housed at the University of Virginia, the Sorensen Institute relies entirely on individual and corporate gifts to support its programs.

Recruitment Receptions
A number of receptions will be hosted throughout Virginia in the coming weeks to provide prospective students an opportunity to meet staff, alumni, and board members. Please stay tuned to this blog for information about a reception in your region.

More Information
The Sorensen Institute will accept applications for the 2007 class of its flagship Political Leaders Program until November 13. Applications for the three-day Candidate Training Program (to be held in Charlottesville, VA Jan. 26-28, 2007) will be accepted until December 4. For more information visit us on the web at www.sorenseninstitute.org or call Coy Barefoot, Director of Communications and Alumni Relations at (434) 243-2427.

The CBS affiliate in Charlottesville recently put the spotlight on the Sorensen Institute. Executive Director Sean O'Brien (who is a regular guest and political commentator on their "Live at 5" program) discussed the Political Leaders Program, which is now open to applications for its 2007 class. Please help us get the word out: the application deadline is November 13. This interview lasts just about three minutes.