On Saturday, Sept. 8, from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Stetson University will host its third annual “Politics 101” conference, a free, one-day crash course on the nuts and bolts of political campaigning. The conference will be held in the Stetson Room of the Carlton Union Building.

“The goal of Politics 101 is to provide area students and citizens free education in the craft of making political and social change,” said co-organizer David Hill, a political scientist at Stetson. “Stetson values engaged citizenship, and Politics 101 is a way for us to advance this value to the benefit not only of our students, but all interested area students, citizens and aspiring community leaders.”

Politics 101 will feature workshops led by campaign operatives, political scholars and community leaders of varied political stripes. Workshop leaders will, among other things, show participants how to build grassroots campaign organizations, create winning campaign strategies, analyze data to make informed decisions, use social media, and fundraise.

In addition, area political organizations and campaigns will be present during a networking fair to provide information about their candidates or causes, and to recruit interns and volunteers.

“Politics is not a spectator sport,” says Kevin Winchell, conference director. “Whether you’re a Republican, Democrat, independent or else, whether you want to run for public office, manage a candidate or issue campaign, or simply learn how ordinary citizens can help make change in a democracy, Politics 101 is a great way for citizens to get informed and engaged.”

For more information about Politics 101 or to register, visit www2.stetson.edu/politics101.