WORKSHOP OUTLINE
Jim Lindsay (12/98)
- 1) 30 min: Allow time for people to be late, general introduction, reviewing handouts.
- 2) 45 min: Introduction, Campaign purpose, profile, offensive or defensive campaigns, governmental or NGO, resources needed, picking the jurisdiction, picking the reform, laying the foundation, getting it on the ballot, winning the election, post-election.
- 3) 5 min break
- 4) 45 min Case studies: review the list of PR campaigns, discuss SF, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz and Cincinnati in more depth
- 5) 5 min break
- 6) 45 min: Discussion of local areas that people come from - Perhaps Alameda, Santa Clara, SF, Sacramento and Napa counties.
INTRODUCTION
(NOT a lecture - in the form of questions and answers from the participants.)
- What is a Campaign? Definition in Webster's: "A series of organized, planned actions for a particular purpose, as for electing a candidate."
- What is your purpose? Winning campaigns v.s. educational campaigns.
- Profile: High or Low?
- Offensive or Defensive Campaign?
- Governmental or non-governmental?
- Resources needed:
- Volunteer Time
- Money
- Credible Point People
- Knowledge
- Picking your target jursidiction:
- charter v.s general law cities and counties
- size of the city
- current law
- level of satisfaction with current law
- how strong is your support
- Pick your target reform:
- PR (Choice Voting)
- IRV
- enabling v.s. establishing
- semi-proportional systems
- For which elected body? Council? Mayor? School Board? Rent Board? Etc.
- To win:
- Lay the foundation
- ballot language
- education
- studies by governing bodies
- Get NGOs to use PR & IRV
- early endorsements
- early commitments
- pay for consultant?
- Get it on the ballot
- by governing body
- by initiative
- Win the election
- campaign organization (Depends on various factors, but at least a responsible and experienced Campaign Manager)
- endorsements
- fundraising
- public education
- direct mail
- canvassing
- GOTV
- avoid debt!
- Post-election
- thank donors and volunteers in writing
- build organization, keep things going, what's the next campaign?