The Republican National Committee has recently launched a new effort to win the 2016 presidential election. Their efforts involve engaging communities, including college campuses, and training staffers and volunteers to step up their ground game from the 2012 election. While offered for all ages, the Republican Leadership Initiative (RLI) is especially important for college students.
The initiative helps college students create circles of volunteers on their campuses and prepares them for possible staff positions after graduation. The six-week fellowship also fits well with the typical college student’s schedule because it allows students to work around their own calendar. While each fellow can have an individualized plan to complete the hours, a fellow must commit a certain amount of time for each week of the program.
The Republican Leadership Initiative is offered throughout the entire country. By using the relationships already present on campuses, the initiative is getting students and their friends to talk about and get involved with the race.
In a Republican National Committee press release, RNC Chair, Reince Priebus said, “with the RLI we will have the largest, earliest, most effective and most diverse staff in the history of our party. Our eventual presidential nominee will have the support of a trained, dedicated, and prepared team of organizers and volunteers, which will not only help Republicans win the White House but also help us win races up and down the ballot.”
As Millennials continue to play a key role in the election cycle, the initiative to reach out to college students is an increasingly important trend. Recently, presidential candidates Ted Cruz, Rand Paul and Jeb Bush have stepped up their efforts to reach out to Millennials. College students will continue to be pivotal throughout the 2016 race.
College students who want more information or would like to apply to the Republican Leadership Initiative can go here.
This article is from Red Alert Politics’ Campus Correspondent Program. Would you like to contribute a story from your school? Apply here to be a Campus Correspondent for RAP!
