Re-Energizing Your PAC and Grassroots Program

Re-energizing Your PAC & Grassroots Program

August 18, 200912:45pm-2:00pm

Content Leaders:Amy Mignogna CAE, Senior Manager of Government Relations, Ohio

Society of CPAs

Paul J. Williams CAE, Senior Director of Government Relations, Assisted Living Federation of America

Connecting Great Ideas and Great Peoplewww.asaecenter.org

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Interviews American Hospital Association International Franchise Association Independent Electrical Contractors

Association

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Critical Components for Successful Grassroots Efforts

Timely Communications Effective Website High Member Response Rate

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Most Difficult Grassroots Program Component to Develop

Controlling Member Communications (Flood of Information)

Member Engagement with Elected Officials Via Grassroots Program

Message Calibration

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How Do You Measure Success for Your Grassroots Program?

Did you Win or Lose The Issue? Member Response to Grassroots

Requests Member Evaluation of Grassroots

Requests/Communications Visits to Website if Applicable

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Reporting of Grassroots Activities

Government Relations/Advocacy Newsletters

Association Annual Reports Board of Directors Reports Monthly Updates to Board/Volunteer

Leadership Weekly Twitter Feed Highlights

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Recognition of Grassroots Volunteers

Grassroots Champion Breakfast/Luncheon at Annual Conference

Guest Speaker/Leadership Participation as Part of Recognition Event

Listing in Association Publication Co-Recognition with State Affiliate

Organizations

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Biggest Challenges for Grassroots Programs

Keeping Members Informed and Meeting Expectations (Bill Summary)

Motivating Members to Respond to Grassroots Requests (Letters, Meetings with Legislators, Phone Calls)

Keeping Members on Message

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Biggest Challenges for Grassroots Programs

Ramping Up Dormant Grassroots Program

Reinvigorating Chapter Relationships to Increase Member Participation

How To Cultivate Participation With Diverse Membership

Message Alignment and Subsequent Action for Diverse Membership

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How Do You Avoid Volunteer Burnout in Grassroots Activities

Emphasize Consequences of Being Dis-Engaged

Recognizing Members Daily Challenges and Adapting Strategies to Accommodate These Challenges

Monitor Number of “Alerts” and Action Requests, Integrate Communications

Drive Members to Website Platform

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What Do You Do Differently Now in Your Grassroots Program vs a Few

Years Ago Eliminated Overnight Mail Alerts Eliminate Blast Faxes Don’t Jump On Every Application of New

Technology (Blogs, Twitter) Driving More Grassroots Activities to Website

Portals Customized E-Mail, Facebook, Twitter


Good Tips For Developing Effective PACS

Leadership Buy-In and Participation Participatory Fundraising vs Event-Based

Fundraising Develop an Effective Elevator Pitch of

Why Contributing to the PAC is Important Communicate Your Organization’s “Giving

Strategy”, Criteria for Expenditures, Decision Making Process

Integrate PAC with Advocacy Activities


How Do Define Success for Your PAC

Achieving Fundraising Targets Making Effective Strategic

Investments in Candidates Whether or Not They Win or Lose (contrast with many corporate pacs philosophy of equal giving)

% of Supported Candidates Who Won


Key Indicators for PAC Effectiveness

Total Contributions Overall Proportion of Members Who

Contribute to the PAC Number of New Donors Average Amount of Donation Political Education (Legislators

Knowing What Your Members Do)


Reporting of PAC Activities Monthly Membership Newsletters

(Contribution Information) Government Relations, Grassroots

Advocacy Newsletters (Semi-Annual Message to Membership of why PAC is Important)

Detailed Information to Board of Directors at least Once A Year


Recognizing PAC Contributors Thank You Reception at Annual

Conference (Exclusive to Contributors, Guest Speakers, Political Pundits*, Recognition in Association Publications)

Special Name Badges at Annual Conference Denoting PAC Contributor

Pins (entry level, max level) Recognize State Affiliates Who Meet

Goals


Challenges Faced By PACS

Participation in Bad Economy (Monthly Credit Card Contributions)

Legal Compliance e.g. FEC violations, silent auctions, event based fundraising rules (Recognition Based Fundraising)

Never Ending Fundraising Cycle (No When To Lay Off A Bit and Time Your Contribution Messages)


Addressing PAC Fatigue Letter from PAC Chairman and Chief

Volunteer Officer (Beginning of the Year)To Past Year Contributors With Fresh Call to Action for Contributions for New Year

Continue Efforts to Grow Donor Base Utilize Leadership and Peer to Peer

Influence


Dealing with Competitor PACs Message to PAC Members and

Membership Should Talk About How Your Organization and PAC is Laser Focused On Their Interests

Run The Best PAC You Can, Demonstrate Value, Have a Good Elevator Pitch

Consider Soliciting to Shared Members Who Participate in a Governance Capacity With Your Association


Do You Do Anything Different Now In Developing Your PAC Than In

The Past Established Recognition Program Involve PAC Champions In Assisting

with Potential Soliciations (Prior Authorization)

Establishing PAC Retention Metrics Customer Behavior Analysis Applied

to PAC (Find Out Why Customers Come Back)


Grassroots and PACS All Should Work Together for Maximum

Results (PAC Contributors Should Participate in Grassroots Activities and Grassroots Advocates Should Be PAC Contributors)

More Consolidation of Functions Between Association PAC & Grassroots Advocacy Staff (Less of a Silo Mentality)

Re-Energizing Your PAC and Grassroots Program

Health & Medicine

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