Ground Game

Ground Game

Ground Game · Card FP–01

Field & People

FP–01

The Volunteer Debrief

The Volunteer Debrief

The Volunteer Debrief

Make every shift count

Make every shift count

Make every shift count

3 steps · 3 scenarios

The Volunteer Debrief

The Volunteer Debrief

The Volunteer Debrief

Listen. Sort. Close the loop.

A good debrief isn't just about what volunteers heard at the doors. It's also your chance to find out what happened to the volunteers themselves.

Before people leave, take a few minutes to hear what stood out, identify anything that needs attention, and make sure important problems don't disappear when the shift ends.

The problem

Your volunteers come back from a shift with questions, observations, frustrations and sometimes problems you need to know about.

If the debrief is just “How'd it go?”, you'll usually hear “Fine.”

If it's only a hunt for useful voter intel, you can miss something just as important: confusing instructions, an inaccessible entrance, an uncomfortable interaction or a volunteer who isn't sure they want to do this again.

You don't need a long meeting. You need a short conversation that helps you figure out what happened, what matters now, and who needs to do something about it.

Your volunteers come back from a shift with questions, observations, frustrations and sometimes problems you need to know about.

If the debrief is just “How'd it go?”, you'll usually hear “Fine.”

If it's only a hunt for useful voter intel, you can miss something just as important: confusing instructions, an inaccessible entrance, an uncomfortable interaction or a volunteer who isn't sure they want to do this again.

You don't need a long meeting. You need a short conversation that helps you figure out what happened, what matters now, and who needs to do something about it.

The technique

Explore the technique. Select one to read it in full.

Explore the technique. Select one to read it in full.

See it work

The debrief that catches what matters

The debrief that catches what matters

A volunteer returns from a canvass.

Volunteer

A couple of people on Oak Street asked whether the road project is going to eliminate parking. I didn't know what to tell them. Also, the walk sheet sent me through the side entrance at the apartment complex, but there are stairs there. I had to backtrack to find an accessible entrance.

Organizer

Thanks. Let's separate those. The parking question needs an answer before the next canvass. I'll check the project details with Priya and get you the answer.

And the entrance problem is on us. Show me which building it was so we can correct the walk instructions before anyone else gets sent that way.

Was there anything else about the shift that was frustrating or uncomfortable? We can talk privately if you'd rather.

Volunteer

No, that was it. Once I found the other entrance, I was okay.

Organizer

Good. I'll fix the instructions tonight, and I'll send you the parking answer when we have it.

Why this works

The organizer doesn't treat both reports as the same kind of information.

The parking question needs verification and an answer. The inaccessible route needs to be corrected before another volunteer encounters it.

And instead of treating the volunteer as a source of field intelligence, the organizer checks on the volunteer's experience too.

The organizer doesn't treat both reports as the same kind of information.

The parking question needs verification and an answer. The inaccessible route needs to be corrected before another volunteer encounters it.

And instead of treating the volunteer as a source of field intelligence, the organizer checks on the volunteer's experience too.

Your turn

What Would You Do Next?

What Would You Do Next?

Three volunteers return from the same shift.

Before revealing the organizer response, decide:

What needs immediate attention?

What needs to be verified?

What needs to be corrected before the next shift?

Alex

“Two people asked me whether the proposed school budget cuts the after-school program. I didn't know the answer.”

Think first: What should the organizer do next?

Jordan

“The walk instructions were confusing. They sent me behind the community center, and I couldn't figure out where I was supposed to start.”

Think first: What should the organizer do next?

Sam

“A guy started yelling at me and followed me down the block after I left his house.”

Think first: What should the organizer do next?

The Habit to Keep

The Habit to Keep

A useful debrief doesn't require a complicated form or a half-hour meeting.

Before volunteers leave, make sure you've answered three questions:

  1. What happened?

  2. What needs attention?

  3. Who owns the next step?

And make room for one more:

Is there anything the volunteer needs from us?

Cautions

Watch Out For

Watch Out For

Don't turn anecdotes into data

A few doorstep conversations can flag something worth watching. They don't tell you what the whole district thinks.

Capture the observation. Don't inflate it into a conclusion.

Don't make people report personal concerns to the group

Some problems are easy to mention in front of everyone. Others aren't.

Always give volunteers a private way to raise a concern, especially when it involves another person, accessibility, harassment or safety.

Don't collect problems you won't follow up on

If someone needs an answer, a correction or help, assign an owner.

Closing the loop is part of the debrief.

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