PAC Fundraising Fundamentals

So while you're thinking about your PAC Fundraising program, it's important to understand why people would give to your PAC ... or for that matter, why they would give their money away to anything!

Most people will contribute their money for one of three reasons:

1) They believe in the cause
2) They are asked
3) They want recognition

Therefore, knowing this is why someone would give away their money, you will want to build your fundraising efforts around this premise.

For someone to contribute to your PAC based on believing in the cause, you need to make sure they know what the cause is ... in other words, a central part of your fundraising program needs to be educating your audience (whoever you want to contribute to your PAC) about what your program is trying to achieve and why the PAC is essential to achieving the goals that your audience cares about.

Once your target audience is educated about the cause, its time to ask them for the order ... you can't assume they will give just because they know what the PAC is all about and why it is important. You need to make sure they are asked personally to contribute to your PAC. It is always best to set up a system where the individual is asked by someone they respect or will want to say yes to. While that is not always possible, it is still important to make sure your audience is given the personal opportunity to contribute.

And when they do contribute to your PAC, make sure they are recognized for doing so ... recognize contributors by both thanking them personally as well as recognizing their contributions at every opportunity possible (website, newsletters, meetings, etc.).

When you have a system in place that takes these key aspects into account, you will see your PAC Fundraising program reach new heights.

As always, let us know how we can help you achieve your goals.

Quarterly Checkup - PAC

The Political Action Committee
Your Political Money

Former California Speaker of the Assembly Jesse Unruh once called Money the Mother's Milk of Politics.

True enough.  At times.

It is also one of the most effective methods of educating influential people and groups on your issues.

So what have you done about your PAC?

If you are like most organizations, you look at the first quarter as the time where your dues money and associated PAC contributions are being gathered, and you haven't focused much on educating anyone on the PAC or why it is so important.

While I don't advocate this approach, I understand it.  So at the very least take a look at your PAC receipts -

• What percentage of members have contributed?
• What is the total amount you have collected?
• What is the average dollar amount contributed?

Lastly -  Do these numbers meet your needs?

if you don't have an answer to that last question, you need to do so.  How much are you going to need in the next election for -

• Campaign contributions
• Candidate Fundraisers you attend
• Candidate Fundraisers you host
• Independent Expenditures
• Member Engagement / GOTV efforts
• Partner PACs

Once you have that set of numbers, you know where you need to build your PAC up to.  Additionally you have a goal and a vision that you can sell to anyone who hasn't supported your PAC so far.

Now make a plan to go and get it.

Here's one final tip - there is no one single way to ensure your PAC messaging gets out.  It is a combination of efforts that will make you successful.

Let us know if we can help!

How Accurate is Your Information on Your Audience?

The Government Affairs Strategies team is sitting in a working session on Political Data.  Here are a couple of facts about Voter Registration Lists that gives us pause...

Voter lists have been good about starting to clean up their information within their own state.  However -

• 11.5% of the information on voters is an outdated address
• 5% of the information on voter lists is a duplicate address
• 7% of the information on voter lists include undeliverable, deceased, or other problems in delivering mail

Which comes to almost 1/4 of your data from the voter registration list being wasted.  That means if your data isn't the best and cross matched nationally with other files... you are potentially throwing away 1/4 of your campaign outreach budgeting.

Take the time to make sure your data vendors have the best possible information, unless you are fine throwing away your money!

Quarterly Checkup - Presence

Believe it or not we are already at the end of the first quarter of 2013.  Now is the time to do a quick review of your program so far this year, and take a look at what you need to do next quarter.

Each Friday in March we will look at a different aspect of your government relations shop.  This week its your presence.

PRESENCE WITH ELECTED OFFICIALS -
Each year I send a letter to all the elected officials that represent the areas I cover.  Just a quick intro of the organization, who we are, who we represent, and an overview of the issues we cover.  However I take it one step further.  I give suggestions of how our organization may be helpful to them as elected officials.  Not from a "let's help your campaign" perspective, but what can our organization provide you as you address the issues of your community?

PRESENCE WITH COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS -
Who out there knows you?  Who do you know?  Who do you need to know?  Who do you align with most often?  Who do you oppose most often?

The last one can be one of the most important questions.  Because better than knowing your enemies, is knowing how you can make them friends.  What do you have in common that you can work on with them?

PRESENCE WITH YOUR INDUSTRY -
How aware is your membership of everything you do for them on a regular basis?  Do the leaders know what you are doing on their behalf?  Are you doing what they would want?  Maybe they have a suggestion of what you could do better for them as an organization.  Reach out to them.

For any of these elements that you haven't addressed already this year. Its time to set a timeline for yourself, a few basic goals, and a plan of how to reach these groups.

For those that you have built this presence with, what's the next step?
Elected Officials - Provide them some info and engage them in your community efforts.
Community Organizations - Figure out a few things where you can work together
Industry - Build an outreach program that engages them, and encourages others.

In reading this, if you have any questions, as always, please feel free to give us a call.

Style, Standing Out, and Set Apart

I spend a lot of time in airports these days. And as anyone can tell you who spends a lot of time in airports, you see some weird stuff. Often very weird.

This last week while on a six day seven state trip and leaving Albuquerque I saw this -

Between the length, layovers, and number of appearances of last week's trip, I was certainly caught off guard - mostly with the thought of "I wouldn't want to take that through security..."

So I shoot this pic, send it off to a few friends, and low and behold they recognize him. Turns out his name is Jimmy Cusano and he helps with membership drives for chambers of commerce called Your Chamber Connection.  They make membership drives fun for the members, and they manage to bring some large sustainable success to the organizations with which they work.

But clearly the commitment doesn't stop there.  I had taken the opportunity to dress down to sweatpants and a t shirt because I was just exhausted.  And just like anyone who has to deal with airport security, I wanted it to be simple, easy, and comfortable.

However Jimmy, and by extension Your Chamber Connection, instead deliberately stand out.  They have found a niche, a presence, and a presentation, and given their commitment to that.

So much so that people across this country associate the look with the experience working with Your Chamber Connect when an over-tired travel-weary smart ass in a security line snaps a pic.

The point is this -

What is it that your organization does that makes it stand out?  And how committed to it are you?

Developing an effective presence in today's political environment

In this article (http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0111/47969.html), POLITICO explains how the REALTOR Party is the next wave in developing an effective advocacy effort.

As this article explains, "some experts envision a day when industry groups will not only hit up their individual members, but their corporate accounts for campaign cash as well – and then target their spending in ways that have less to do with Democrat or Republican, and more to do with who is pro or con on their big issues."

“The business community is figuring out they need to be their own best advocate,” said Greg Casey, president of the Business Industry Political Action Committee, which helps companies set up voter registration and education programs aimed at their employees. “There is a lot going on. In some cases, the Realtors could be the model.”

Added Jan Baran, a Republican campaign finance expert who consults with corporations: “Realtors, auto dealers, lawyers, they are going to want to be politically effective, and a large measure of their influence is that they are present everywhere.”

“Electing and re-electing REALTOR friendly candidates is an integral part of protecting the industry. During the election, REALTORS were the driving force in triggering the candidates’ understanding that stable and sustainable housing markets are the central component of our economic recovery.”

"The Realtors’ campaign differed from that of such large trade and business groups as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in that it was built around one industry and targeted at a subset of candidates with clear records of advocating on housing issues while serving in Congress, a state legislature or on the job."

Where will GA Strategies be in March?

We are making our way around the country.  let us know if you are available to meet.

12-15 - Washington D.C. - Chip Bryan and Meredith
15-19 - San Diego, CA - Bryan
21-23 - Washington D.C., Chip and Meredith
24-26 - Nashville, TN - Bryan

Don't see us near you?  Invite us out!  Contact us for opportunities.