Companion Notebook: Making the decision to serve


We want the next generation of extraordinary women to approach public service as necessary - and as routine as voting itself. For women nominated through She Should Run,™ we’ve produced the She Should Run™ Companion Notebook: Making the decision to serve. Our goal is to show you that sometime during your life and career will be the right time for public service.

The newly released Companion Notebook provides aspiring women with information on all aspects of running for office - from the types of office there are, to the skills you already have, to the long term financial and personal rewards you can receive from public service.

To receive a copy of the Companion Notebook, or to have one sent to an amazing woman you know who should run for office, nominate someone to the She Should Run™ program today.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS FROM THE COMPANION NOTEBOOK:    

  • Why do we need more women in public service? With the United States ranking 70th among nations for the percentage of women in the federal legislature the Companion Notebook sets out the positive difference that women can bring to the policy and decision making process, and why it is essential that you and women you know step up to make a difference.

  • Opportunities Abound: Did you know that there are at least 515,000 elected officials in America, and more than 96% of these are local government officials? The Companion Notebook has tips and advice on finding out which public service roles there are, which ones are best for you, and how to go about being elected or appointed to your first rewarding public service role.

  • What does it take: skills and preparation: Are you wanting to take the plunge towards public office, but aren’t sure if you’re qualified?  Don’t worry, you are. The Companion Notebook sets out how the skills, talents and experiences you have from your everyday live are just the sort of skills, talents and experiences you need to run for office.

  • Living well and serving well: You can do both: "At the end of the day, you can point to your work and tell your children: See, Mommy left the world a better place."  The Companion Notebook sets out clear and practical advice for balancing your public and private life, and how to give your all to career, family and public service, with help and advice from women who have done just that.

  • Is it rewarding: From the policy changes achieved by women in public office, such as all day state funded kindergarten in Arizona and providing health care benefits to domestic partners in New York, to the rewards of camaraderie, and the pay and benefits you can expect in public office, the Companion Notebook covers it all.

  • You can get there from here. Just start: Women from all walks of life, women of every age and women with every imaginable passion serve their communities, governments and parties. The Companion Notebook looks at where women in public office have come from, how they got to where they are today, and how you could too. 

The She Should Run™ Companion Notebook: Making the decision to serve will be an invaluable resource to women thinking about running for office, and to women who have made the decision to run. To receive a copy of the Companion Notebook or to send one to an extraordinary woman you know who should run for office, nominate her or yourself to the She Should Run™ program today.