What a 1:1 is and what it isn't

A 1:1 is a structured, intentional, 45-60 minute conversation in which an organizer learns a potential leader's story, self-interest, and capacity, and tests whether there is shared work to do.

A 1:1 is not the same as catching up over coffee, auditioning a friendship, running a sales pitch, or doing a check-in. It's a deliberate conversation with a purpose: surface what someone cares about deeply enough to take risk for, and figure out whether your campaign is a vehicle for that.

The organizer talks roughly 30% of the time. The leader-prospect talks the other 70%. The organizer is listening for three things: (1) a story of a moment that shaped this person's politics; (2) the relationships and constituencies this person has access to; (3) the capacities — skills, time, resources — they would be willing to bring to shared work.

A good 1:1 ends with one of three outcomes: an agreement on a small first action together (attend a meeting, host a house meeting, recruit one other person); a clear no, with the relationship still intact; or a 'not yet' with a follow-up date. Ambiguity is the failure mode.

You will do hundreds of these over a career. They get faster but never automatic. The day they feel automatic is the day to take a break.