Building Your Activist Base

Paid for by Democracy for America, www.democracyforamerica.com, and not

authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee.

2

People Powered Campaigns

Volunteers give a campaign life

Campaigns activate people who can help build the progressive movement

Think about the first campaign you ever volunteered on.

What’s Your Motivation?

3

Why do people volunteer?

Personal connection (R)

Inspiring candidate (Id)

Inspiring opponent (Av)

Particular issue or interest (Ax)

Sound familiar?

What’s Your Motivation?

4

Another way to think about it:

• Community

• Opportunity

• Policy

• Social

Which are you?

5

Where to look?

Super Dem Activists - Early touch to the D “base”- Party org’s: county, local Dem club

- Vol. requirement for voting privileges?

Allied groups and organizations- Labor unions- Campus groups- Issue groups (LGBT, Immigration, Environmental, etc.)

- Where in your community?

6

What kind of people?

People with a vested interest:- Relatives- Donors

People who are:- Busy- Already volunteer elsewhere

- (food banks, local clubs, scouts)- Social/have good social networks

“give a busy person a task…”

Tactics: How to ask

7

More personal = more effective & more time consuming

- Face to face, over the phone

Less personal = less effective & less time consuming

- Email, social media, flyering

Target super-volunteers early

8

The 5 C’s of an Ask

9

The 5 C’s of an Ask

1. ConnectMake a connection to the person

10

The 5 C’s of an Ask

2. ContextExplain how this activity will help us win

11

The 5 C’s of an Ask

3. Commit Make a solid “ask” to get a firm yes

12

The 5 C’s of an Ask

4. CatapultThrow the volunteer into their commitment

13

The 5 C’s of an Ask

5. ConfirmReminder calls to everyone the day before

Say Thank You

…and never stop