1. Re-energizing Your PAC & Grassroots Program August 18, 2009 12:45pm-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 People

2. Interviews American Hospital Association
International Franchise Association
Independent Electrical Contractors Association

3. Critical Components for Successful Grassroots Efforts
Timely Communications
Effective Website
High Member Response Rate

4. Most Difficult Grassroots Program Component to Develop
Controlling Member Communications (Flood of Information)
Member Engagement with Elected Officials Via Grassroots Program
Message Calibration

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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 , Facebook, Twitter

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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)

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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)

18. 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

19. 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

20. 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)

21. 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)