There must be 50 ways: Participating in democracy #21: Host a candidate canvass

Volunteering in general for any political campaign is a way to participate in democracy, and hosting a canvass is a next-level step. Tell the field director in the campaign that you are volunteering to do that, if the campaign can use it. If another volunteer in your neighborhood has already scheduled such hosting events, you can let that person know you are happy to help with several aspects of hosting, such as bringing coffee, cans of sparkling water, donuts, ordering some pizza for the end of the day for the crew, or just being there to help her or him with the hosting. 

The field coördinator for the campaign will need table space for clipboards, handouts, and other canvassing materials. You will need table space for snacks and beverages. Be sure to get an estimate ahead of time from the field coördinator of numbers so you have enough chairs arranged in a room big enough to accommodate it all.

The canvasses I've hosted have met mid-morning and everyone gets oriented by the field coördinator while enjoying coffee, tea, water, a donut, muffin, or healthy granola bar. Then they all hit their assigned blocks for a couple hours while you clean up and get some more robust refreshments going for noon time. Finally, they finish their third canvass, all recorded and organized by the field coördinator, and, if it is okay with her or him, you have beer and pizza and sodas waiting for everyone in the mid or late afternoon. 

The field coördinator decides the purposes of the canvass. It may be generalized promotion, in which case canvassers learn talking points and protocols for delivery (e.g., never argue, listen more than talk, be respectful, smile a lot). Or it might be a show of candidate care and issue market research, in which case the field coördinator may have explicit detailed sheets with specific addresses to attempt contact and which to avoid, based on party registration.

I've hosted a few of these and the hospitality shown by the host is generally part of the spirit and resilience of the canvassing crew experience. If they feel like they are returning to a spartan barracks workspace that may affect their willingness to continue. If they feel like they are appreciated and part of a little purposeful community they may be more likely to continue and to volunteer to canvass again. Veteran campaign directors have strong feelings and war stories about canvassing and its role in the difference between winning and losing a campaign. There is a reason it is a common and repeated practice--and a deep way to engage in a democracy.