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Class Schedule

This is the currently planned schedule for the IDF Class of 2020. Programming will be finalized closer to the dates. The topics listed below are representative of past programming and subject to change based on speaker availability. Final schedules will be emailed to the class about one week prior to the session. IDF program fellows are expected to miss no more than two weekends (not counting Washington, DC, which is optional) and are all expected to attend kickoff weekend.

  • Kickoff – January 10-12 (Friday evening – Sunday) This IDF session will be in Seattle and will begin with a kickoff reception Friday evening.
    • Program Overview
    • Preview of Basic Political Institutions and State Government
    • Breakout Session on Race and Social Justice
    • State Budget Simulations
    • Our speakers for this weekend have generally included:
      • State Democratic Party Chairs
      • State elected officials
      • Constitutional experts
      • Motivational speakers on the issues of race/social justice, leadership, and public service
      • Other political leaders who provide overviews on elections, state government, and politics
  • Olympia – January 20-21 (Monday – Tuesday) This IDF session focuses on Washington state government, state agencies, state elected officials, lobbying, and policymakers. Programming may include:
    • Shadowing a state legislator
    • State executive elected officials and state agency directors
    • Tour of Washington State Supreme Court
    • Bad Karaoke
    • We plan this weekend over MLK Jr Day, which is a holiday for most. However, this is a big day in Olympia as this is the lobby day for many activists, protesters, concerned residents, and youth organizations.
    • Accommodations: IDF will cover the cost of the hotel in Olympia for Monday evening as well as dinner for a panel discussion on Monday evening.
  • Local Government / Pierce County – February 8-9 (Saturday – Sunday)  This IDF session focuses on local governments, current issues, and broader issues impacting Pierce County communities. Programming may include:
    • Tour of the Port of Tacoma and/or Tour of the Port of Seattle
    • Overview of Local Governments
    • Elected Officials from City of Seattle, King County, Port of Seattle, and City of Tacoma
    • Simulations on local government
    • Accommodations: Hotels are not provided on weekends based in the central Puget Sound area. If you are a remote IDF’er outside central Puget Sound and need help being matched with some housing, let us know.
  • Clark County / Thurston County – February 21-23 (Friday night – Sunday) This weekend we’ll drive to Vancouver on Friday night, spend full day in Vancouver on Saturday, the drive to Olympia Saturday night for Thurston County themed programming on Sunday. Programming may include:
    • Columbia River Crossing
    • Healthcare
    • Political mail/Oregon politics
    • Homelessness
    • Education
    • Accommodations: One hotel night in Vancouver, One hotel night in Olympia
  • Kitsap Peninsula / Snohomish County – March 7-8 (Saturday – Sunday) This weekend will focus on issues unique to Kitsap Peninsula economy and Snohomish County. Programming may include:
    • Tour of a Naval ship
    • Tour of AMTEC Program
    • Conversations with Mayors and/or County Executives
    • Rural resources for queer youth
    • Military service and family members
    • Law enforcement
    • Accommodations: Hotels are not provided on weekends based in the central Puget Sound area. If you are a remote IDF’er outside central Puget Sound and need help being matched with some housing, let us know.
  • Northwest Washington Weekend – March 20-22 (Friday – Sunday)  This IDF session focuses on the economics, politics, and issues affecting Northwest Washington. We will likely drive to Bellingham Friday night and work our way back down. Programming may include: :
    • Skagit Valley Farmers and agricultural experts
    • Immigration policy
    • Coal terminals
    • Conservationist presentation
    • Accommodations: Hotels will be provided Friday and Saturday nights.
  • Central WA – April 3-5 (Friday night – Sunday ) This IDF session focuses on the economics, politics, and issues affecting Central Washington, and will be focused in Yakima and possibly Wenatchee.  Programming may include:
    • Tour of a wind farm
    • Tour of apple or cherry orchard
    • Meetings with cattle ranchers and migrant farmer advocates
    • Discussion on water rights issues
    • Accommodations: Hotels will be provided both Friday and Saturday nights. One of these nights we’ll be staying in farm worker housing.
  • SW Washington – April 17-19 (Friday night – Sunday)  This weekend IDF will travel to Pacific County and the rural, coastal region, and its economy and politics. Programming may include:
    •  Cranberry farm tour
    • Marijuana grow facility
    • Discussion with commercial fishermen
    • Rural healthcare and education
    • Immigration and ICE enforcement
    • Accommodations: We will spend two nights in Long Beach.
  • Washington, DC – May 5-10 (Tuesday night – Saturday)  The Washington, DC session is one of the highlights of IDF’s program. This is an optional trip, and missing it does not count against your attendance. Because of the content of the programming for DC, we HIGHLY recommend you attend, but understand it may be difficult for cost and work related reasons to participate (program fellows have fund-raised in the past to cover travel costs). These dates may change based on the congressional calendar. Programming will be scheduled on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday of the week we are in Washington, DC. Programming may include:
    • Meetings with our Democratic delegation in Congress
    • Think tank speakers and policy makers
    • Tour of the Democratic National Committee’s HQ
    • Brown bag lunch with national consultants, lobbyists, and policymakers
    • Tour of Embassies
    • Meetings with Department Directors, NGO staffers, and committee staff
    • Meetings with veterans organizations
    • Accommodations and Cost: IDF covers your tickets to the Potlatch gala and your hotels during your stay in DC. Plane tickets, transportation, and food are your own responsibility. Hotel rooms will be covered Tuesday night through Friday night.
  • Campaigns and Elections – May 30-31 (Saturday – Sunday) This weekend is based in Seattle and will focus on the nuts and bolts of campaigns and is relevant for both people who want to run for office and those who want to work in campaigns. Programming may include:
    • Candidate 101
    • Building a field plan
    • Fundraising
    • Media and communications
    • Polling and research
    • Independent Expenditures and initiatives
    • Accommodations: Hotels are not provided on weekends based in the central Puget Sound area. If you are a remote IDF’er outside central Puget Sound and need help being matched with some housing, let us know.
  • Eastern WA – June 5-7 (Friday night – Sunday) This IDF session focuses on the economics, politics, and issues affecting Eastern Washington. We will likely focus programming in Walla Walla and Spokane. Programming may include:
    • Meeting with Spokane business and elected leaders
    • Discussion on water rights issues
    • Tour of a prison and talk with local law enforcement
    • Re-Entry programs
    • Discussion of gun rights
    • Accommodations: Hotels will be provided both Friday and Saturday nights.
  • Speed Mentoring and Graduation – June 20 (Saturday) This will be our last day together and will begin with an opportunity to have small group conversations with leaders and professionals in various political fields. This is your opportunity to get expert advice and network with people who could be your future boss or coworker! In the evening we’ll host a graduation ceremony for you with alumni and special guests in attendance.