While enjoying the full swing of summer vacations, pool parties and primaries, don’t forget this is the perfect time to prepare your PAC for the final push of Election 2010. Let this “PAC-ing” list help you make the most of these lazy, crazy days of this pre-election summer.
[ ] Executive Buy-in
Without commitment from the top, your PAC is virtually rudderless. Rank-and-file PAC-eligibles are unlikely to give unless they can look to role models at the head of the organization. Measure your current executive level participation and leverage the momentum of the election cycle to encourage one-on-one meetings with executives. Share with them your 2010 election plans, tell them about their department’s contributions to date and request a personal commitment to help you reach the goal.
[ ] Summer Survey
Summer is the right time to ask your current PAC members how they are feeling heading into the election cycle. What are the issues of greatest concern to them? What kind of educational events would most help them prepare for Election Day? Why do they give to the PAC, and if they aren’t - why not? PACs that listen and respond to their donors have donors that listen and respond to their PACs.
[ ] Summer Compliance Reading
Recent court rulings could be game changers for political giving. Take time to read up on Arent Fox Counselor Brett Kappel’s review of recent court cases that could impact your PAC - and engage your counsel as you make your giving plans.
[ ] Mission-critical, “Me” Focused Messaging
Most of us are “me” motivated. We invest in our own health and well-being. Yes, a PAC needs a clear and compelling mission, but it also needs to speak to “me.” Does the PAC help protect my job? Does it help ensure my safety? Does it improve my health? Especially in this tough economic climate, it’s critical to find the “me” in the mission and frame your communications to the needs of your PAC members.
[ ] September Education Plan
Education is the key to turning PAC-eligibles into PAC donors and advocates. This fall, educate your eligible employees about the purpose of the PAC, the election’s potential impact on “me,” the issues at stake and the opportunities to make a difference by giving now and voting on Election Day. Consider meetings, videos, voter registration kiosks, email communications and a Web area encouraging your eligibles to learn, act, register to vote and vote.
[ ] Communications Calendar
With a wave of summer primaries, it’s time to quickly prepare an editorial calendar that identifies key dates - from primary dates to voter registration deadlines - for each state where your organization’s PAC-eligibles are located. Plan to email your eligibles, including an official September solicitation, to alert them of pending deadlines, share the message of the PAC, and invite them to visit your PAC website for additional tools and information. Provide regular updates, share interesting polling data and offer online tools to help them prepare for Election Day.
[ ] Report
Presumably, you’ve set a goal for new PAC member recruitment, departmental participation and total PAC giving. Track your methods, messengers and results; report your progress on a monthly basis to executives; and share their departmental progress. Test strategies and identify what makes your donors tick and give, then let executives know where they started, how far they’ve come and how they can help you get to the finish line. Be sure to share your successes with PAC members as well. If the team doesn’t know the goal, it isn’t likely to reach it.
[ ] Post-Election Acknowledgments
“Thank you” may be two of the most powerful words in a fundraiser’s vocabulary. It’s easy enough to give once, but for donors to give twice, they need to see appreciation for their efforts. Forget the automated email - consider sending donors a personal thank-you note by an organization VIP on behalf of the PAC. Host an Election Night celebration or post-election party exclusively for those who contributed. Show donors how much their contributions mean - to you and to the PAC.
Need help preparing for your final drive toward Election 2010? 720 Strategies provides PAC consulting, compliance and management tools and solutions. Contact Joe Wasser, 720’s Vice President of PAC Services, at (202)962-3955 or visit us online at www.720Strategies.com.
A policy writer, Internet strategist and author, Pam has successfully leveraged the Internet as a tool for public affairs and activism in numerous online campaigns over the last 15 years.
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