Party conference is a great time to learn new ideas and pick up a bit of motivation from Liberal Democrats campaigning in the rest of the country.

Download and print out ALDC's Conference Planner for our full guide to training and fringe events for this year's September Conference. 

Come and visit us in the Exhibition Hall - we're at Stand 104 in the main Hall 4. Let us know how ALDC is doing and tell us how we can help you be a more effective Liberal Democrat councillor or campaigner.  

ALDC Fringe Programme

Saturday 17 September 2011, 8.15pm, ICC 10B
ALDC Annual General Meeting and Campaigner Awards 2011
Party President Tim Farron MP presents the 2011 Campaigner Awards for the best campaign literature in the last year.  Drinks available.

Sunday 18 September 2011, 1.00pm, ICC 8A
ALDC Members Reception (Members Only)
Join Nick Clegg MP and Andrew Stunell MP at our annual members reception in partnership with the Co-operative. "How can partners encourage and empower volunteering in our communities, to the co-operative and mutual benefit of all?" Refreshments provided.

Sunday 18 September 2011, 8.00pm Jury's Inn 112
Local Campaigning on National Issues
How do we campaign as a party in the new political environment? What are the best ways we can deliver our Autumn party campaign locally and nationally -  “Save money, Stay Warm, Go Green”. Speakers include: Andrew Stunell MP, Shaun Roberts. Drinks available.

Monday 19 September 2011, 6.15pm ICC 8A
Community politics for 2011 and beyond
Come and hear how we can use community politics in 2011 to shape both our local communities and our distinctive identity as a party. Speakers include Paddy Ashdown, Tim Farron MP, Hilary Stephenson and others. Drinks available.

Monday 19 September 2011, 8.00pm Jury's Inn 106
Localism & the Green Deal
Turning the Green Deal into a Great Deal for Councils Cllr Keith House, Liz Hutchins (FoE), Ben Earl (B and Q) Chris Davies MEP. Refreshments provided.

Inspired

Winning in 2011
How we won in Portsmouth, Eastleigh, Hinckley & Bosworth and Oadby & Wigston against Labour and the Conservatives.  If you are a candidate, sitting councillor or campaigner or campaign team member, you will benefit from their experience.
Jury’s Inn room 114 – Tuesday 9-15 to 10-45
Cllr Keith House – Leader Eastleigh, Cllr Gerald Vernon-Jackson - Leader Portsmouth, Cllr Stuart Bray - Leader Hinckley and Bosworth, Cllr John Boyce - Leader Oadby and Wigston

Facing a new challenge – Defending your council seat in 2012
If you are standing for re-election in 2012 this session is a must for you
Room 113/115/117 - Sunday 9-15 to 10-45 and
Tuesday 9-15 to 10-45 - Jury’s Inn room 102
Dave McCobb, Elections and Skills & Cllr Mark Alcock, ALDC

This is just a part of the over 50 hours of training that ALDC is involved in this year!

Download and print out ALDC's Conference Planner for our full guide to training and fringe events for this year's September Conference. 

Party conference is a great time to take part in training to help you succeed as a Liberal Democrat campaigner and councillor. Training in Birmingham is all free and available to all Party Members. Most of it is just outside the conference "secure area" so you don't event have to be registered for Conference to attend. 

Download and print out ALDC's Conference Planner for our full guide to training and fringe events for this year's September Conference. 

Thanks to Jonathan Swift for kindly giving permission to use this photo.

Here's just a small part of ALDC's 50 hours of training. 

Training for Lib Dem Councillors

Working Smarter for Councillors 
As councillors and campaigners we have very limited time, this session will help you make best use of your time.  Ideal for all local election candidates and councillors.
Jury’s Inn room 114 – Monday 4-00 to 5-30

Power of the Small Group
If you are a small voice by number in your council group or in viewpoint then this session is your guide to winning the argument.
Jury’s Inn room 114 – Tuesday 11-00 to 12-30

Next Generation Alumni
Update training session for the participants of Lib Dem Next Generation 1-5 and Lib Dems on previous Leadership Academies. 
Jury’s Inn room 114 – Sunday 9-15 to 10-45

Why should anyone vote for me in May?
This special session workshop will work through developing your message for next year's local elections. Ideal for all local election candidates, councillors, agents and campaign organisers.
Hyatt Regency Hotel Allegro – Saturday – 2-30 to 5-30

Winning Ways 1: Campaigning in your Community
In communities across the country there are improvements just waiting for a successful campaign to bring them about. If you are a candidate, campaigner, councillor or Member of Parliament this is your chance to update your knowledge and skills needed to work with people to bring about change. 
Jury’s Inn room 112 – Sunday 9-15 to 10-45 and Tuesday 2-30 to 3-45

Winning Ways 3: A Record of Action – Delivering on Community Politics
This session looks at how we use Community Politics to get the best for our residents and our area.  Ideal for all local election candidates, councillors, agents and campaign organisers.
Jury’s Inn room 112 – Sunday 2-30 to 3-45 and Monday 9-15 to 10-45

Winning Ways 4: The Best Person for the Job
How can we build and sell the profile of our candidates, make the electorate see that our candidate is the best person for the job, and how you can do this between now and polling day.  Ideal for all local election candidates, councillors, agents and campaign organisers.
Jury’s Inn room 112 – Sunday 4-00 to 5-30 and Monday 11-00 to 12-30

Getting Technology Right

CONNECT for Councillors
See the party’s new campaign database system CONNECT (VAN) in action. Focus on how CONNECT can empower Councillors to campaign more effectively in your community.

Soprano Room, Hyatt Regency Hotel - Saturday – 2-30 to 3-45

Room 101, Jury’s Inn - Monday - 9.15 to 10.45

MyCouncillor Basics

Now is the time to get your ward website up and running. Regardless of where you are in the country there is now an expectation that local representatives will have a website.  Come here and learn how easy it is to set up and manage a free MyCouncillor website through ALDC (for ALDC members) 

Jury’s Inn room 114 – Sunday 2-30 to 3-45

MyCouncillor Advanced

This session is for users of the My Councillor websites provided free to ALDC members. This session will explore ways of making the most of your website and look at the latest technological developments.

Jury’s Inn room 114 – Tuesday 2-30 to 3-45

ALDC's full Training Programme consists of over 50 hours of training - Download and print out ALDC's Conference Planner for our full guide to training and fringe events for this year's September Conference.

Party conference is a great time to take part in training to help you succeed as a Liberal Democrat campaigner and councillor. We're all learning to operate in the different circumstances of campaigning as a Party that's in Government, so keeping up with new skills and ideas is more important than ever. 

Training in Birmingham is all free and available to all Party Members. Most of it is just outside the conference "secure area" so you don't event have to be registered for Conference to attend 

Download and print out ALDC's Conference Planner for our full guide to training and fringe events for this year's September Conference. 

Thanks to Jonathan Swift for kindly giving permission to use this photo.

Here's just some of our 50 hours of training. 

Make the most of Saturday!

On Saturday afternoon we have two workshop sessions which take up the whole afternoon. 

Winning Elections for Beginners 
This workshop is for people just starting out, it will give you the basics you will need to start campaigning in your ward, area, with practical ideas and examples to take away. Ideal for local election candidates and new campaigners.
Hyatt Regency Hotel Andante – Saturday – 2-30 to 5-30

Why should anyone vote for me in May?
This special session workshop will work through developing your message for next year's local elections. Ideal for all local election candidates, councillors, agents and campaign organisers.
Hyatt Regency Hotel Allegro – Saturday – 2-30 to 5-30

Winning Ways!

We've developed a set of six training modules, each of which are being repeated twice during conference which identify areas of campainging which we we need to see more of, or need to be improved or changed. 

Winning Ways 1: Campaigning in your Community
In communities across the country there are improvements just waiting for a successful campaign to bring them about. If you are a candidate, campaigner, councillor or Member of Parliament this is your chance to update your knowledge and skills needed to work with people to bring about change. 
Jury’s Inn room 112 – Sunday 9-15 to 10-45 and Tuesday 2-30 to 3-45

Winning Ways 2: In Touch All Year Round
It's never been more important to communicate effectively with the residents in your ward.  Get an overview of the different techniques ranging from Focus to social networking, via direct mail and the local media.  Find out more about the advantages of each approach and how to choose the best technique for your different messages.
Jury’s Inn room 112 – Sunday 11-00 to 12-30 and Monday 2-30 to 3-45

Winning Ways 3: A Record of Action – Delivering on Community Politics
This session looks at how we use Community Politics to get the best for our residents and our area.  Ideal for all local election candidates, councillors, agents and campaign organisers.
Jury’s Inn room 112 – Sunday 2-30 to 3-45 and Monday 9-15 to 10-45

Winning Ways 4: The Best Person for the Job

How can we build and sell the profile of our candidates, make the electorate see that our candidate is the best person for the job, and how you can do this between now and polling day.  Ideal for all local election candidates, councillors, agents and campaign organisers.
Jury’s Inn room 112 – Sunday 4-00 to 5-30 and Monday 11-00 to 12-30

Winning Ways 5: Voter ID 
Most pre-2010 historic voter ID data is now less reliable and many canvassers in May found it harder to get accurate information from voters. This course will go over the basics of voter ID and look at how to approach it in the new environment.
Jury’s Inn room 112 – Monday 4-00 to 5-30 and Monday 9-15 to 10-45

Winning Ways 6: Targeting Voters
You have lots of data you have collected about your electorate; this session will give you ways to use that data to target your voters throughout the year.  Ideal for all local election candidates, councillors, agents and campaign organisers.
Jury’s Inn room 112 – Monday 2-30 to 3-45 and Tuesday 11-00 to 12-30

Getting Candidates Right

Finding Council Candidates
More than ever finding the right candidate to WIN elections is critical. Use this programme to identify new and different potential candidates including from people who may not even yet be Party members.
Jury’s Inn room 114 – Sunday 4-00 to 5-30

Candidate Approval and Selection
Approving and selecting council candidates properly is vital in ensuring we have candidates that will represent the party well to the electorate and reducing potential for embarrassment later.  This training course will tell you what you need to do as well as good practice from elsewhere.
Jury’s Inn room 114 – Monday 11-00 to 12-30

ALDC's full Training Programme consists of over 50 hours of training - Download and print out ALDC's Conference Planner for our full guide to training and fringe events for this year's September Conference. 

Localism the New Opportunities
A Conference for Liberal Democrats

Book Now

On Friday 21st October 2011, in Westminster, an important one day conference will take place for Liberal Democrat involved in local government. This is a conference and workshop for Liberal Democrats to look at the new opportunities provided by the Localism Bill. 

Guest 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

Bevin Hall, Local Government House, Smith Square, London SW1

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. 

Taking place at: Local Government House, Smith Square, City of London SW1P 3HZ

Programme 

9.30 Reception and Coffee 

10.00 Introduction.
Cllr Gerald Vernon-Jackson, Leader of the Liberal Democrats in Local Government

10.20 An external perspective. 

The challenges to politicians in the localism agenda by: Lord Victor Adebowale, Chief Executive, Turning Point Helen Williams, Deputy Director of Neighbourhoods, National Housing Federation Followed by Q and A

11.00 Speech by Rt Hon Nick Clegg followed by Q and A.

11.45 Making things happen the Lib Dem Way 
The long term view – Gordon Lishman
Legislation into action – Andrew Stunell MP
Inside the Council Chamber – Cllr Richard Kemp
Followed by Q & A

12.45 Lunch 

13.30 Workshops
Localism the Whole council approach - Carl Minns
Cabinet Member for your Ward – Cllr Erica Kemp
Housing and neighbourhoods – Cllr Richard Kemp
Integrating Town Hall and Campaigning – Howard Sykes.

15.00 Finish 

Book Now

Liberal Democrat Federal Party Conference takes place Saturday 17 - Wednesday 21 September 2011, in Birmingham. All Party members can attend, more details on registration are available from the main party website here. 

Come and visit us in the Exhibition Hall - we're at Stand 104 in the main Hall 4. Staff and volunteers will be on hand from Saturday through to Wednesday to help with advice, information, membership information and technical queries. 

Thanks to Jonathan Swift for kindly giving permission to use this photo.

ALDC Fringe Programme

Saturday 17 September 2011, 8.15pm, ICC 10B
ALDC Annual General Meeting and Campaigner Awards 2011
Party President Tim Farron MP presents the 2011 Campaigner Awards. £500 for the top prize sponsored by RISO and Midshires. Submit your campaign materials for an award here.  

Sunday 18 September 2011, 1.00pm, ICC 8A
ALDC Members Reception (Members Only)
Join Nick Clegg MP and Andrew Stunell MP at our annual members reception in partnership with the Co-operative. 

Sunday 18 September 2011, 8.00pm Jury's Inn 112
Local Campaigning on National Issues
How do we campaign as a party in the new political environment? What are the best ways we can deliver our Autumn party campaign locally and nationally -  “Save money, Stay Warm, Go Green”. Speakers include: Andrew Stunnel MP, Shaun Roberts. 

Monday 19 September 2011, 6.15pm ICC 8A
Community politics for 2011 and beyond
Come and hear how we can use community politics in 2011 to shape both our local communities and our distinctive identity as a party. Speakers include Paddy Ashdown, Tim Farron MP, Hilary Stephenson and others

Monday 19 September 2011, 8.00pm Jury's Inn 106
Localism & the Green Deal
Turning the Green Deal into a Great Deal for Councils Cllr Keith House, Liz Hutchins (FoE), Ben Earl (B and Q) Chris Davies MEP

ALDC Training Programme

ALDC have 22 training session and six workshops at this Autumn’s conference in Birmingham. 

Winning Ways

We are running a set of six ‘Winning Ways’ training sessions, these sessions will be run twice once in the morning and once in the afternoon:

Winning Ways 1:
Campaigning in your Community
In communities across the country there are improvements just waiting for a successful campaign to bring them about. If you are a candidate, campaigner, councillor or Member of Parliament this is your chance to update your knowledge and skills needed to work with people to bring about change. 
 
Jury’s Inn room 112 – Sunday 9-15 to 10-45 and Tuesday 2-30 to 3-45
Cllr Jeanette Sunderland ALDC - Shaun Roberts Campaigns Department

Winning Ways 2:
In Touch All Year Round
It's never been more important to communicate effectively with the residents in your ward.  Get an overview of the different techniques ranging from Focus to social networking, via direct mail and the local media.  Find out more about the advantages of each approach and how to choose the best technique for your different messages.

Jury’s Inn room 112 – Sunday 11-00 to 12-30 and Monday 2-30 to 3-45
Cllr Anders Hanson ALDC – Cllr Adam Williams

Winning Ways 3:
A Record of Action – Delivering on Community Politics
This session looks at how we use Community Politics to get the best for our residents and our area.  Ideal for all local election candidates, councillors, agents and campaign organisers.
Jury’s Inn room 112 – Sunday 2-30 to 3-45 and Monday 9-15 to 10-45
Cllr Howard Sykes – Isobel McCall ALDC

Winning Ways 4:
The Best Person for the Job
How can we build and sell the profile of our candidates, make the electorate see that our candidate is the best person for the job, and how you can do this between now and polling day.  Ideal for all local election candidates, councillors, agents and campaign organisers.
Jury’s Inn room 112 – Sunday 4-00 to 5-30 and Monday 11-00 to 12-30
Cllr Tim Pickstone - Cllr Claire Hudson ALDC

Winning Ways 5:
Voter ID
Most pre-2010 historic voter ID data is now less reliable and many canvassers in May found it harder to get accurate information from voters. This course will go over the basics of voter ID and look at how to approach it in the new environment.
Jury’s Inn room 112 – Monday 4-00 to 5-30 and Monday 9-15 to 10-45
Cllr John Bridges ALDC - Ian Horner

Winning Ways 6:
Targeting Voters
You have lots of data you have collected about your electorate; this session will give you ways to use that data to target your voters throughout the year.  Ideal for all local election candidates, councillors, agents and campaign organisers"

Jury’s Inn room 112 – Monday 2-30 to 3-45 and Tuesday 11-00 to 12-30
Cllr Mark Alcock ALDC – Tim Pollard Campaigns Department

CONNECT for councillors

See the party’s new campaign database system CONNECT ( VAN) in action. Focus on how CONNECT can empower Councillors to campaign more effectively in your community.

Soprano Room, Hyatt Regency Hotel - Saturday – 2-30 to 3-45
Room 101, Jury’s Inn - Monday - 9.15 to 10.45
Austin Rathe, Elections and Skills & Cllr Anders Hanson, ALDC

MyCouncillor

MyCouncillor Basics
Now is the time to get your ward website up and running. Regardless of where you are in the country there is now an expectation that local representatives will have a website.  Come here and learn how easy it is to set up and manage a free MyCouncillor website through ALDC (for ALDC members)

Jury’s Inn room 114 – Sunday 2-30 to 3-45
Laura Willoughby – Cllr Anders Hanson ALDC

MyCouncillor Advanced
This session is for users of the My Councillor websites provided free to ALDC members. This session will explore ways of making the most of your website and look at the latest technological developments.

Jury’s Inn room 114 – Tuesday 2-30 to 3-45
Cllr Tim Pickstone ALDC

Council Candidates

Finding Council Candidates
More than ever finding the right candidate to WIN elections is critical. Use this programme to identify new and different potential candidates including from people who may not even yet be Party members.

Jury’s Inn room 114 – Sunday 4-00 to 5-30
Steve Hitchins ALDC – Cllr Anood Al Samerai

and once you have found your potential candidates:

Candidate Approval and Selection
Approving and selecting council candidates properly is vital in ensuring we have candidates that will represent the party well to the electorate and reducing potential for embarrassment later.  This training course will tell you what you need to do as well as good practice from elsewhere.

Jury’s Inn room 114 – Monday 11-00 to 12-30
Laura Willoughby – Cllr Anders Hanson ALDC

Email

Keeping in Touch – by Email!
Workshop to look how best to use email in our campaigning and communications.
Looking at the emails we send, collecting addresses and different systems we can use.  Ideal for all local election candidates, councillors, agents and campaign organisers.

Jury’s Inn room 114 – Monday 2-30 to 3-45
Cllr Tim Pickstone ALDC

Councillors and council groups

Working Smarter for Councillors 
As councillors and campaigners we have very limited time, this session will help you make best use of your time.  Ideal for all local election candidates and councillors"

Jury’s Inn room 114 – Monday 4-00 to 5-30
Cllr Erica Kemp

Power of the Small Group
If you are a small voice by number in your council group or in viewpoint then this session is your guide to winning the argument.

Jury’s Inn room 114 – Tuesday 11-00 to 12-30
Cllr Jeanette Sunderland ALDC

Next Generation Alumni
Update training session for the participants of Lib Dem Next Generation 1-5 and Lib Dems on previous Leadership Academies. 

Jury’s Inn room 114 – Sunday 9-15 to 10-45
Cllr Erica Kemp

Campaign Workshops

Police & Crime Commissioner elections
The Police & Crime Commissioner elections are coming up and we need to be prepared. This session will help highlight the policies and messages that will allow us to maximise our vote.

Hyatt Regency Hotel Allegro - Saturday – 11-00 to 12-30
Hilary Stephenson Campaigns Department

Winning Elections for Beginners 
This workshop is for people just starting out, it will give you the basics you will need to start campaigning in your ward, area, with practical ideas and examples to take away. Ideal for local election candidates and new campaigners.

Hyatt Regency Hotel Andante – Saturday – 2-30 to 5-30
Rhiannon Wadeson Campaigns Department - John Bridges & Cllr Mark Alcock ALDC

Why should anyone vote for me in May?
This special session workshop will work though developing your message for next year's local elections. Ideal for all local election candidates, councillors, agents and campaign organisers.

Hyatt Regency Hotel Allegro – Saturday – 2-30 to 5-30
Cllr Howard Sykes ALDC & Shaun Roberts Campaigns Department

Using the Localism Bill to boost your campaign
The Localism Bill offers some real campaigning opportunities for Liberal Democrats in their local community. Key tips and a chance to discuss how you can use this with Andrew Stunell MP and the LGA Lib Dem Group.

Jury’s Inn room 114 – Sunday 11-00 to 12-30
Andrew Stunell MP – Rob Banks LGA

Lib Dem Council Group Researchers
An opportunity for Lib Dem Council group political assistants and researchers to get the latest briefings and to learn best practice from colleagues in other authorities.

Jury’s Inn room 114 – Monday 9-15 to 10-45

Workshop on Organised Independents 
This is a workshop on how other groups have worked to combat organised independent groups. Ideal for all local election candidates, councillors, agents and campaign organisers.

Jury’s Inn room 114 – Tuesday 4-00 to 5-30
Cllr Chris White - Cllr Claire Hudson ALDC

Inspired

Winning in 2011
How we won in Portsmouth, Eastleigh, Hinckley & Bosworth and Oadby & Wigston against Labour and the Conservatives.  If you are a candidate, sitting councillor or campaigner or campaign team member, you will benefit from their experience.

Jury’s Inn room 114 – Tuesday 9-15 to 10-45
Cllr Keith House – Leader Eastleigh, Cllr Gerald Vernon-Jackson Leader Portsmouth, Cllr Stuart Bray Leader Hinckley and Bosworth, Cllr John Boyce Leader Oadby and Wigston

Facing a new challenge – Defending your council seat in 2012
If you are standing for re-election in 2012 this session is a must for you

Room 113/115/117 - Sunday 9-15 to 10-45 and
Tuesday 9-15 to 10-45 - Jury’s Inn room 102
Dave McCobb, Elections and Skills & Cllr Mark Alcock, ALDC