{"id":45215,"date":"2019-04-23T06:50:17","date_gmt":"2019-04-22T20:50:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nofibs.com.au\/?p=45215"},"modified":"2022-05-02T13:02:28","modified_gmt":"2022-05-02T03:02:28","slug":"a-successful-independentsday-is-like-winning-eurovision-adropex-reviews-getelected-activedemocracy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/archive.nofibs.com.au\/a-successful-independentsday-is-like-winning-eurovision-adropex-reviews-getelected-activedemocracy\/","title":{"rendered":"A successful #IndependentsDay is like winning Eurovision: @adropex reviews #GetElected #ActiveDemocracy"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nofibs.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/3D-Book-Cover-.jpg?resize=433%2C433&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-43291\" width=\"433\" height=\"433\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/archive.nofibs.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/3D-Book-Cover-.jpg?w=600&amp;ssl=1 600w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/archive.nofibs.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/3D-Book-Cover-.jpg?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/archive.nofibs.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/3D-Book-Cover-.jpg?resize=300%2C300&amp;ssl=1 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 433px) 100vw, 433px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><figcaption><em><a href=\"https:\/\/ruthmcgowan.com\/book\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"Get Elected by Ruth McGowan (opens in a new tab)\">Get Elected<\/a><\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/ruthmcgowan.com\/book\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"Get Elected by Ruth McGowan (opens in a new tab)\"> by Ruth McGowan<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h4>Pale, male and stale<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>The political class \u2018is on the nose\u2019 and trust in our politicians is going into a deep dive. Parliament is seen as being dominated by <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"&quot;personalities, parties and pecuniary interests&quot; (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/adamblakester\/status\/1119332769127997440\" target=\"_blank\">&#8220;personalities, parties and pecuniary interests&#8221;<\/a>. People are tired of the scandals, the factional power struggles and the revolving door of leadership and prime ministers. With each new scandal the calls for a <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/australia-news\/2019\/apr\/15\/pressure-for-integrity-commission-builds-as-poll-reveals-loss-of-trust-in-politics?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Tweet\" target=\"_blank\">properly empowered federal independent integrity commission<\/a>, Royal Commissions and transparency get more strident.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed-twitter aligncenter wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Citizens all across <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/indivotes?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#indivotes<\/a> tell me of their lack of trust in major party politics. No wonder! I support the call for an independent &amp; robust Federal Integrity &amp; Anti- Corruption Commission <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/Auspol?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#Auspol<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/Sv6z0yYarR\">https:\/\/t.co\/Sv6z0yYarR<\/a><\/p>&mdash; Helen Haines (@HelenHaines1) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/HelenHaines1\/status\/1119110465437622279?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">April 19, 2019<\/a><\/blockquote><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>It&#8217;s the perfect storm for an insightful how-to guide on how to stand up and enter politics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The electorate has had enough and the frustration and dissatisfaction is apparent in the rising number of micro-party and Independent candidates contesting federal, state and local elections. <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"Ruth McGowan argues in her book Get Elected that the remedy is  (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/ruthmcgowan.com\/book\/\" target=\"_blank\">Ruth McGowan argues in her timely book <\/a><em><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"Ruth McGowan argues in her book Get Elected that the remedy is  (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/ruthmcgowan.com\/book\/\" target=\"_blank\">Get Elected<\/a><\/em><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"Ruth McGowan argues in her book Get Elected that the remedy is  (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/ruthmcgowan.com\/book\/\" target=\"_blank\"> that the remedy is<\/a> to encourage a greater number and diversity of candidates to stand for public office, to turn their dissatisfaction into action and to lead the change they wish to see in their communities. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote\"><p>It\u2019s time for more voices to be heard in chambers and parliaments across our nation and it is time to challenge the stereotype of the &#8216;typical pale, male, stale politician&#8217;.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Inspired by her sister <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"Cathy McGowan\u2019s election in 2013 as the independent federal member for Indi (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/nofibs.com.au\/cathy-mcgowan-indivotes-journey\/\" target=\"_blank\">Cathy McGowan\u2019s election in 2013 as the Independent federal member for Indi<\/a>, Ruth draws upon Cathy\u2019s time in office as an \u201cexample of how an independent can successfully campaign, get elected, thrive as a politician, and make a difference whilst maintaining integrity\u201d. At the time of her election Cathy McGowan was the first female Independent to be elected to the House of Representatives of the Australian Federal Parliament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/nofibs.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/CBR-launch-CR-1.png?fit=1024%2C578&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-45258\" width=\"561\" height=\"317\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/archive.nofibs.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/CBR-launch-CR-1.png?w=1434&amp;ssl=1 1434w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/archive.nofibs.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/CBR-launch-CR-1.png?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/archive.nofibs.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/CBR-launch-CR-1.png?resize=768%2C433&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/archive.nofibs.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/CBR-launch-CR-1.png?resize=1024%2C578&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/archive.nofibs.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/CBR-launch-CR-1.png?resize=600%2C338&amp;ssl=1 600w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/archive.nofibs.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/CBR-launch-CR-1.png?resize=1320%2C745&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 561px) 100vw, 561px\" \/><figcaption>Ruth with Cathy &#8216;in full flight&#8217; at the launch of <em>Get Elected,<\/em> Parliament House, Canberra. Photo: Georgia Ginnivan<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h4>Action from dissatisfaction<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Get Elected<\/em> is a step-by-step campaign guide to winning public office at the three levels of government. The guide is widely researched and extensive in its practical and emotional advice and offers knowledge, tips and strategies for successful campaigning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Ruth brings her own lived experiences as a local councillor, a mayor and as chief strategist of Cathy McGowan\u2019s 2013 Indi campaign and is informed by the collective wisdom of many successful campaigners who contributed their stories and their advice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Practical in format and written in an easy-to-read style, <em>Get Elected<\/em> is divided into four parts: <em>Decide, Plan, Run, Next<\/em>. Planning the campaign is by far the biggest section and details the actions and timelines for a successful campaign. Running the campaign covers putting those actions into practice and managing the campaign process, including the emotional wellbeing of the candidate and the team. Practical post-election matters for both the successful and unsuccessful candidate are covered in the final section.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, it is <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"the decision-making process outlined in part one (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/nofibs.com.au\/pissed-off-and-passionate-independentsday-primer-hula_grl-extract-from-getelected\/\" target=\"_blank\">the decision-making process outlined in part one<\/a> that lays the groundwork necessary for a successful campaign, be it as an Independent or as a party-aligned candidate. In this section Ruth challenges the reader to delve into the deep recesses of the &#8216;why&#8217; of running for office. This section is largely composed of questions, some of which potential candidates may have already thought about or would get to on their own, but some are confronting and require the reader to really examine their emotional strengths and weakness if they are to usefully answer them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote\"><p>What sort of dirt would opponents toss on me, and is my skin thick enough for that?<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Whilst the aim of <em>Get Elected<\/em> is to encourage a diversity of candidates to step into the political arena, Ruth deliberately uses the pronoun \u2018she\u2019 throughout the book when referring to the candidate \u201cso that women contemplating standing for office can more easily picture themselves in the role.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote\"><p>Our political landscape will never change unless more, diverse and competent citizens stop complaining, step up and get elected\u2026 I hope that I can inspire diverse candidates and prompt more women to step forward, run for office and get elected.<\/p><cite>Ruth McGowan<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Cathy McGowan describes <em>Get Elected<\/em> as a how-to for community activists to make a change through political candidacy. However, the audience for this book is one far wider than only those people considering standing as an Independent candidate. I for one would not enjoy or thrive in that environment but I would be happy to put up my hand as part of a campaign team for the right Independent candidate. As the saying goes &#8216;it takes a village to raise a child&#8217; and a successful political campaign takes a well organised team with a diverse skill set. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Whether you are an aspiring candidate, or see yourself as a campaign manager or part of the team of supporting volunteers, <em>Get Elected<\/em> is a practical guide for planning and running a political campaign. Whilst geared towards the Independent candidate, this book also offers valuable insights for the party aligned candidate as well, or even the aspiring singer!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed-twitter wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Great to speak with <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/GavinMcGrath?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#GavinMcGrath<\/a> on <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/abcnews?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@abcnews<\/a> Ballarat mornings about Get Elected. Eurovision is same date as the Fed election and running a successful campaign is like winning Eurovision; its all about the Singer, the Song, the Dress =  candidate, message &amp; brand. <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/getelected?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#getelected<\/a><\/p>&mdash; ruth mcgowan (@hula_grl) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hula_grl\/status\/1116114223124242432?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">April 10, 2019<\/a><\/blockquote><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/nofibs.com.au\/pissed-off-and-passionate-independentsday-primer-hula_grl-extract-from-getelected\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"Read an extract (opens in a new tab)\">Read an extract<\/a> from <em>Get Elected<\/em>.<\/p>\n<!-- AddThis Advanced Settings generic via filter on the_content --><!-- AddThis Share Buttons generic via filter on the_content -->","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Pale, male and stale The political class \u2018is on the nose\u2019 and trust in our politicians is going into a deep dive. Parliament is seen as being dominated by &#8220;personalities, parties and pecuniary interests&#8221;. People are tired of the scandals, the factional power struggles and the revolving door of leadership and prime ministers. With each [&hellip;]<!-- AddThis Advanced Settings generic via filter on get_the_excerpt --><!-- AddThis Share Buttons generic via filter on get_the_excerpt --><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":48,"featured_media":45317,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_is_tweetstorm":false,"jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","enabled":false}}},"categories":[3349,2969,3387,3330,2198,3329,3300,62,3548,66,585,1163,1578,1026],"tags":[],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/archive.nofibs.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/getelectedfeature.png?fit=800%2C400&ssl=1","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p3t0mw-bLh","jetpack_likes_enabled":false,"jetpack-related-posts":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/archive.nofibs.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/45215"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/archive.nofibs.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/archive.nofibs.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/archive.nofibs.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/48"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/archive.nofibs.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=45215"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/archive.nofibs.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/45215\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":57666,"href":"https:\/\/archive.nofibs.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/45215\/revisions\/57666"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/archive.nofibs.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/45317"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/archive.nofibs.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=45215"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/archive.nofibs.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=45215"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/archive.nofibs.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=45215"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}