Field Plan Development & Approach Philosophy of Grassroots Organizing
You Are Leaders Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. Margaret Mead I’m asking you to believe. Not just in my ability to bring about real change... I’m asking you to believe in yours. Barack Obama
The 2010 Election was lost on turnout Americans Abroad were under-represented in 2010 We can make the difference Our Challenge: The White House
If You Remember Nothing Else Today Respect Empower Include This is how we treat everyone we meet.
Respect What you’re asking them to do is important You won’t waste their time You’re interested in their thoughts You will take yourself and the campaign seriously They will have an opportunity to make real change We will be professional We are always, always courteous
Include The campaign is built around the people who care about it Their stories are a part of the campaign The ideas, suggestions, views and experiences of our activists are the fuel for this campaign – respect them and listen to them
Empower Public Supporters Activists Leaders Give supporters many opportunities to help Train and support activists Hand over responsibility Set clear goals and demonstrate shared accountability Each volunteer should be able to make the campaign their own
Constructive Interactions –Sign up on the website/sign this card –Come to our next meeting –Talk to your friends –Volunteer for us at [date, location] –Vote [expected referendum date, local voting centre]
2012 key events timeline UK Council DA PRIMARY ELECTION Week of May 1 UK July 4 Picnic UK Council DA Global Convention Puerto Vallarta, Mexico May US GENERAL ELECTION Nov 6 Democratic National Convention Charlotte, North Carolina September 3-6 DA EMEA Regional Strasbourg, France January Deadline to declare UK locations for DA Primary UK ExCom (plus additional throughout year)
Ingredients Voter Registration Phone Banking Events Social and Traditional Media
Voter Registration Put a committee in place –Their job is to coordinate, not do it all –Voter reg people at every meeting or event –Compile a list of US organisations, locations and events popular with Americans –Contact study abroad offices (before students arrive)
Voter Registration For the Field Plan –Establish some goals Tiered in the runup to election –Number of volunteers –Number of voter contacts –Number of voters registered –State how you’ll track and record outcomes
Phone Banking Ideally: call all members twice –Jan-Sept: Ballot request –Sept-Nov: GOTV Divide and conquer: –Assign chapters to call their own members –Prioritise swing states
Phone Banking Logistics –Where and when? Remote calling is rarely effective Face to face in physical location –Quiet cafe at a regular time? –Data management Signed confidentiality sheets Consistent recording of call outcomes Keep the same list for entire calling cycle Coordinate with database team
“I love the AR-Vols” AR = Already Requested AV = Already Voted WR = Will Request WV = Will Vote NV = Not Voting LM = Left Message WN = Wrong Number CB = Call Back Vol = Volunteer
Events Plan them around major calendar moments Remember you need main election events to happen at least 1 month BEFORE Major events –Debate watches –Convention watches Get these in listings magazines
What type? Type of EventGood for... RallyGenerating buzz, Recruiting activists, Visibility & Media Canvass or Door KnockRaising awareness, Signing up supporters Speaker PresentationEducating supporters, Attracting attention TrainingEngaging activists, Managing message, Developing leaders Film NightEngaging activists FundraisersRaising money, Engaging activists Social EventsBuild community, have fun
Social Media Tips and Tricks Facebook –Use a Facebook group –Create Facebook event with open invitations –Ask people to tag themselves in event photos Twitter –Use TwitPic to post photos –Get a volunteer to “Live Tweet” from the event –Use a relevant hashtag Blogger outreach –Do your members blog? –Get them the info