Opportunity is knocking on some doors

This past Sunday was one of the warmest days of the year, so what better way to spend it than getting out for a walk and spending some time chatting with my neighbours. For me, this came in the form of door-knocking for the upcoming provincial election.

Door-knocking is the foundation of every local election campaign. Teams of volunteers, sometimes accompanied by the candidate, head out with a list of electors and go door to door, starting a conversation with residents about the upcoming election and some of the issues of interest in it. Typically, the goal is to identify people who are likely to vote for the favoured candidate.

It can seem daunting at first, but once you get into it, it quickly becomes easy and enjoyable. Most people you interact with are courteous and responsive. The campaign team will arm you with everything you need including some literature, a script, and a list of names and addresses for tracking the responses. If it is one of your first times out, they will likely have you buddy-up with someone who has done it before.

I really enjoy door-knocking. For me the benefits are many: I get to spend time outside in the fresh air; I get a bit of exercise; I get to meet my neighbours and get to know my community more; I get to know the candidate — someone who might be my next MLA — better; I get to talk about education and democracy — two things that are vitally important to me; and I feel like I am doing something active that is making a difference.

I follow the script, but I usually try to add in a comment about the value of public education as an issue that is important to me.

I think this is a really important election for public education. In the last election, education was not seen as a very important issue, and the government that came in implemented a mandate that hadn’t received a ton of public scrutiny. This created tension between what the government had in their platform and what was important to many Albertans. Not everything that was in the platform was tested in the election, and I think that created a number of problems for the government after the election.

We need to get education talked about on the doorsteps, and one of the best ways to do that, in my opinion, is to have teachers out starting that conversation. It doesn’t really matter which party you decide to support. All parties should see teachers as active participants and should see education being frequently discussed. It will serve us well regardless of which party is ultimately successful.

Even if door-knocking is not for you, there are many other ways that teachers can get involved and influence the conversation that occurs during the election. Volunteer work on a campaign team can include making phone calls to prospective voters, volunteer recruitment, building and erecting signs, data entry, or helping with reception or paperwork in the campaign office. If you’re willing to help, I’m sure they will find a job that has value for them and is a good fit for you.

Every hour that you can give to the campaign is appreciated, and the best way to get started is to check out the party’s website or drop in at the campaign office and tell them that you are willing to help.

And if time is hard for you to give, consider monetary donations — campaigns can always use more funds to support their work. Political donations also come with very generous tax write-offs. In fact, for the first $200 you donate, you will receive three-quarters of it back at tax time. You will get half back for the next $900 you donate after that.

Election time provides an abundance of opportunities to get involved and to advance a conversation about the issues that matter to you. All across the spectrum of issues, people will be participating and having their voice added to that important conversation. One of the best things we can do for public education is to ensure that teachers are part of it.

So strap on your runners, grab a clipboard and we’ll see you on the doorsteps. ❚

I welcome your comments. Contact me at jonathan.teghtmeyer@ata.ab.ca.