The Association of Liberal Democrat Councillors (ALDC) recently held another successful Kickstart event over the weekend of 25-27^th November. 140 keen Lib Dem campaigners and candidates from across Britain, gathered in a hotel near Birmingham for a weekend of training and mentoring.  Over the many years it has been running you can trace the electoral success in a range of different places back to their decision to attend the event. With 20 different training sessions, three drop-in Q&A sessions, several hours of mentoring with an experienced campaigner and inspiring speeches, the participants came away with improved campaign plans, refreshed knowledge and loads of new ideas to try out.

One participant, Sarah McStravick from Lewes said: “It was very thought provoking, motivating and gave me plenty of ideas. I have come away, more focused, enthusiastic and knowledgeable about how to help the local community in action. I would highly recommend this training to all members of the party at all levels.”

Louise Shaw from Stockport said: “From Friday night until Sunday afternoon, our time was packed with training sessions, time with our mentor and of course socialising. It was a great event to attend and be a part of and our mentor really knew her stuff.”

The date for next year’s event is already set for 23^rd-25^th November 2012 and so put it in your diary now. Bookings will open around the time of the next Autumn Federal Conference.

The 2012 LGiU and CCLA C'llr Achievement Awards are open for entries.  Liberal Democrat councillors have done very well in these awards since they first started two years ago.  Last year, Cllr James Barber from Southwark won Online Councillor of the Year and two years ago we had three winning councillors.  They are now established as the only national ceremony that recognises and rewards the fantastic work of councillors from across the political spectrum.

In light of the ever-growing popularity of the awards, they have created some exciting new categories for 2012, including the Age UK Pride of Place Award, the Judges’ Special Award for Contribution to Local Government, and the Bruce-Lockhart Member Scholarship.

With these additions, there will be a total of 11 different awards on offer at the 2012 ceremony. The Bruce-Lockhart Member Scholarship will be of particular interest as the winning councillor will be presented with a £10,000 bursary, supported by Kent, Essex, and East Sussex councils.

It is free to enter the 2012 awards, and the closing date is set for Friday 30th December 2011. The ceremony is due to be held in late February 2012.

For further details on the different awards and the new streamlined nomination process then visit www.lgiu.org.uk/cllrawards or contact the LGiU at awards@lgiu.org.uk.

Localism the New Opportunities
A Conference for Liberal Democrats

Book Online Now

Don't miss out on the chance to spend a day with other Liberal Democrats in local government, the Deputy Prime Minister and others at our one day Lib Dem Localism conference taking place on Friday 21st October 2011 (LONDON).

9:30am - 3.30pm (lunch and refreshments provided), Smith Square, Westminster, SW1P 3HZ

This is a conference and workshop for Liberal Democrats to look at the new opportunities provided by the Localism Bill. 

Speakers:
Rt Hon Nick Clegg, Deputy Prime Minister
Lord Victor Adebowale, Chief Executive, Turning Point
Gordon Lishman CBE, Author of the 1970 Community Politics Resolution to the Liberal Assembly
Andrew Stunell OBE, Lib Dem Minister DCLG 
Helen Williams, Deputy Director of Neighbourhoods, National Housing Federation
Cllr Richard Kemp CBE, Deputy Leader, Liverpool Liberal Democrats
Chaired by Cllr Gerald Vernon-Jackson, Leader LGA Liberal Democrats

Who should attend?

Liberal Democrats who are: • Councillors • Community activists • Campaigners • Health Trusts and Housing Association Board members • School Governors

Register online now, more details of the programme and workshops below. 

Afternoon workshops include: 
Localism the Whole council approach
Cabinet Member for your Ward 
Housing and neighbourhoods
Integrating Town Hall and Campaigning 

The conference will be immediately followed by a discussion of the Resource Review (business rate) proposals at 3.00pm with Andrew Stunell MP and advisors to Danny Alexander MP. (this is for Group Leaders or other representatives, please email alanna.coombes@local.gov.uk if you are interested in attending.)

Book Now

ALDC is asking every local party who has local elections in May 2012 to let us know NOW the details of all candidates that area has already in place. Elections take place in Scotland, Wales and in many parts of England. 

Each year ALDC provides a free support programme for Liberal Democrat local election candidates and organisers - in the next few weeks we'll be sending out a Liberal Democrat "Candidates' Handbook". This is being followed by regular emails and mailings.

But we can only send the information if we have the know who your candidates are.

Register your candidates online at www.aldc.org/elections/candidates/  If it's easier just send these by email to david.ball@aldc.org

Don't forget to receive our full advice service candidates will need to be members of ALDC. To help we're offering HALF PRICE membership of ALDC for all 2012 local election candidates. 

Join by direct debit online and paper free here. 

Cheaper "Early Bird" registrations for ALDC's Kickstart Training weekend end this Saturday (8 October 2011).

Kickstart takes place 25-27 November 2011, just north of Birmingham.. This is the main training event of the year for volunteer campaigners, and a great opportunity to ensure your team is a WINNING TEAM at your next local elections

Click here to go direct to the online booking form. 

We've had an unprecedented level of interest in the event this year. It is great to see that so many people are up to the challenge of fighting local elections and sending a team to Kickstart. 

WHAT YOU GET:
Over 20 hours of training – both advanced and beginner.
Over six hours for your team working with an experienced mentor to develop your campaign plan. 
A weekend's accommodation at the Holiday Inn (M6 Junction 7 near Birmingham), food and training rooms.  (There's even time for both the pool and the bar...).  The weekend starts at 6:00pm on Friday and finishes 2:30pm on Sunday.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND: 
Kickstart is great if you can bring along your campaign team. Imagine a whole weekend of campaign planning with expert help without any interference! This year we're encouraging everyone with elections in 2012 and 2013 to attend, but everyone is welcome.

 
Individual campaigners are also welcome - they will work together in small teams to develop plans and ideas. Kickstart works for experienced campaigners and new campaigners. It’s a great way to develop ideas and bring on new people. 

IS MONEY A PROBLEM? 
Many council areas provide assistance to their team to attend out of group funds. We know this isn't possible for everyone so there are a number of ways we can help.

- The G8 committee is happy to support council areas with elections in 2012 and 2013 with up to two "Half Price" places, with a priority for places with less resources than others. Contact ALDC for more details or email eleanor.ritchie@aldc.org

- If you've not got elections in 2012 or 2013, ALDC has a fund to support "Black Holes" attending Kickstart (no councillors or councillors in only one ward) - contact anders.hanson@aldc.org for more information. 

- Save £60 by sharing a room (with someone you know!)

- If you're near to Birmingham we have some low-cost non-residential rates - not available to book online but contact emma.hall@aldc.org  

 
HOW DO I BOOK: 
You can book now – online at ALDC’s website – click here to go direct to the booking form. Remember you need to LOG IN as an ALDC member FIRST to receive your members discount which will then be applied automatically. 
More information from Emma Hall – 01422 843 785 emma.hall@aldc.org