Upcoming Virtual Information Sessions:
Saturday, January 10, 2026 from 11:00AM - 12:00N
2026 Candidate Training Academy Begins January 22, 2026
Schedule:
Thursdays for four weeks
Dates:
February 12, 19, & 26
March 5
Time:
7:00–8:30 PM
RUN FOR YOUR LOCAL SCHOOL, COMMUNITY, AND LIBRARY BOARDS
Long Island and Queens need more parents, teachers, students and community members who can be the voice for equality, equity, safety, visibility and opportunity on our school and library boards! We need you to run. We need the real majority to be the voice for our youth and families!
Parents and community members have approached the NY LGBT Network with fear about what’s happening at their school board meetings and the hate that is being spewed against LGBTQ students and other marginalized groups. They want to get involved but don’t know how.
It takes courage and determination to run for local office and we have your back! One of the most difficult barriers to increasing our power and representation is convincing people they are qualified and up to the challenge and building the confidence to pursue real and sustainable change. Those who believe in fairness, safety, equality and equity often underestimate their abilities and assume they are less qualified than other candidates – despite this being the complete opposite. We are on the right side of the issues and our voices need to be heard and seen!
You do not need years of experience in government or a degree from an elite school to run. You need strong ties to your community, a smart strategy and a determination to make a difference. Join the new NY LGBT Network Candidate Training Academy and get elected to your school and library board! We need you. Our youth need you.
If you are unable to attend this cycle, but would like to be kept informed about future cycles, complete the form below:
NY LGBT Network Candidate Training Academy
The nonpartisan NY LGBT Network Candidate Training Academy provides parents, students, teachers and community members with the tools and skills necessary to develop a winning strategy and campaign!
Some of the topics that will be covered in the NY LGBT Network Candidate Training Academy include:
- How to prepare to run and run a campaign
- Resume checklist
- Learning local issues
- Planning, Budgeting and Fundraising
- Marketing
- Public Speaking
- Voter targeting and contact
- Online campaigning
- Volunteers
- Organizing door-to-door
- Early voting strategies
- Get-Out-The-Vote (GOTV)