RED SPRINGS — Lumbee River EMC will co-host a Campaign Academy on Feb. 1 at the DoubleTree Inn in Fayetteville for individuals interested in running for public office this fall.

The Campaign Academy was created by electric cooperatives to help prospective candidates for school board, town or county council, state or federal office or any other elected position sharpen their political skills and prepare for the rigors of the campaign trail.

“The academy is an intensive learning experience for any candidate hoping to win and serve their community,” said Carmen Dietrich, the vice president of Corporate Services at Lumbee River EMC. “By offering this training, we believe both the candidate and the community are better served. Some of the best candidates just need to know how to run.”

The school is open to candidates of any political party and will feature seasoned campaign veterans and professionals focusing on the following core areas: fundraising, campaign strategy, message development and communication skills.

“There just isn’t enough training given to local candidates who are willing to step forward and serve our communities,” Dietrich said. “This program meets that need.”

Attendees will also learn about campaign rules and regulations from state Board of Elections representatives.

“The skills one learns here are applicable to any campaign,” Dietrich said.

If interested in attending, call Walter White at 910-843-7910 or e-mail him at walter.white@lumbeeriver.com.

North Carolina’s electric cooperatives serve 2.5 million people in 93 of the state’s 100 counties.