Host a FLIP NC Pop-Up Canvass - It’s Easy!

FLIP NC volunteers at our recent Wendell pop-up canvass

FLIP NC is holding monthly canvasses in Durham along with pop-up canvasses around the state. Upcoming pop-up canvasses include Asheville, High Point, and Raleigh.

Want to canvass somewhere else? Host your own pop-up canvass anywhere in North Carolina – we’ll provide everything you need!

Here’s how it works.

The canvass host (that’s you!) decides:

  1. Whether it’s an open event. Choose whether you’d rather host a public canvass (that we post and promote) or a private canvass just for your own invitees. Your book club? Just you and your bestie? We got you. No group is too small!

  2. When to hold the canvass. We recommend scheduling at least a few weeks out.

  3. Where to hold the canvass. First, you’ll decide the general area (city/town) where you want to canvass. Then, you’ll decide where to launch the canvass (typically a bar/pub for a public canvass and a home for a private canvass, but it’s up to the host). Not sure of a good canvass launch site? We can help with that, too!

FLIP NC will: provide the host with a complete canvass toolkit, including a timeline, canvassing materials, targeted voter lists and turf maps, and training information emailed to canvassers (or to the host to circulate for private canvasses). For public canvasses, we can also send post-canvass pizza or snacks!

Here’s FLIP NC volunteer Llogan talking about why she decided to host a FLIP NC canvass in her adopted hometown of Wendell and what the experience was like.

Ready to go? Complete this form to get started!

Intrigued and want to learn more? Read on for more information.

How it works, extended version:

1. You let us know where and when you want to canvass. You can let us know a specific neighborhood, or you can tell us which city/town or precinct, and we’ll determine the best area to canvass within it (e.g., more walkable, more left-leaning voters). We can also choose a good target area near your chosen canvass launch site.

We generally recommend scheduling a pop-up canvass at least 3 weeks in advance. Saturday canvasses can start in the late morning or afternoon. Sunday canvasses are best conducted in the afternoon.

2. You choose whether you want to host a public or private event. You can host a public canvass that FLIP NC will post and promote, or you can host a private event just for your own group (formal or informal). No group is too small; every bit helps!

3. You (with our help if desired) determine a launch site for the canvass. For public canvasses, we generally like to launch from a bar or pub so we can return after canvassing to debrief over snacks and drinks (snacks or pizza is on us!). If you don’t have a location in mind, we can help. For a private canvass, you may want to launch from your home, or you can choose to meet up at a public location.

4. Tell your people. We’ll provide you with an email template you can use if you wish. And, for a public canvass, we’ll also spread the word!

5. We’ll mail canvassing materials to you. This will include:

  • Packets with information for canvassers

  • Leave-behind flyers (to leave at doors)

  • Paper turf maps

6. We’ll send canvass training info a few days before the canvass. This will include:

  • An email to the canvass host with a suggested welcome/intro script to launch your canvass.

  • An informational email to canvassers with short canvass training information (including a brief video), a link to download the super-easy MiniVAN canvassing app, and instructions for using it.

7. The day of the canvass, the host:

  • Pairs up canvassers

  • Distributes the turf maps and packets

  • Delivers the canvass welcome/intro

  • Debriefs with canvassers after the event (with snacks!)


Complete this form to get started! Questions? Email Amy at amy@flipnc.org.