Today's edition of Nuts & Bolts deals with raising money. That's right, that nasty, no good, low down dollar bill. Or maybe more than a dollar. If you're part of a local Dem committee you will need money (or a bunch of miracles). Why? You might want to rent a storefront for a campaign office, a place to phonebank, phones, phone lines, pay the printer for canvassing, maybe even hire a staff person. Hey, why not dream big? We did. Here's how we did it and a few ideas for you and yours. Follow along behind the levee.
There are four principle ways for a group to raise money.
* In person appeals
* Direct mail
* Special events
* Phone
Let's start at the top. And let's say you start with virtually nothing. No lists of past donors. Nothing. What to do? Do what all good DKossers do. Head to the net:
http://www.cs.indiana.edu/...
http://www.opensecrets.org/
These are just two sites that use public records to find donors. If you have others you use please post in the thread and I'll edit em in. And thank you. A caveat; these lists are far from complete but it will get you started. Start with anyone who gave $250 or more to the Dems, Kerry, etc. Make a list find their phone numbers and call them. That's right, you're going to pick up the phone and call them. A caution however. You must have a reason to call them other than the list itself. It's best to see if someone knows them (legislator, other Dems, etc) and use their name in the introduction. See
http://www.fec.gov/pages/brochures/saleuse.shtml#anchor395869
(and thanks for the tip in the comments)
You'll say something like, Hi John/Sue/Patty (normally I use their first name) this is Phil (last name) with the ___town/county Dem committee. So and so suggested I call. We've developed a winning approach to the upcoming election and I'd like to meet you for coffee next week. Are you available__ or ___
You meet them. You talk politics, what indeed is being planned locally. Hopefully you have some good candidates for Congress, Gov, state legislature and a plan to do local Voter ID, GOTV, etc. You need $$ for office/phonebank, etc. Ask them to donate TWICE as much as they gave Kerry. Why ask for TWICE as much? `Cause you never know they may love the idea and Give It. Never ask someone for Less than they might give. If they give you half of what you ask, you're still in great shape. If at all possible, get the check on the spot. Rinse and repeat. You should be able to generate a list of at least 10 names of folks in your area that gave $250 or more to Kerry or others and you should be able to get half of them to give the local Dems $$$. Hopefully you have a compelling case. Do not focus on the needs, focus on what is planned and the tools needed to get to the goal. Every person who gives you a check gets asked who else might be willing and if its ok to use their name in calling. Thank them. Tell them they are making a big difference and you appreciate their support (cause you do)This method is the quickest way to generate quick $$$.
OK, onto special events. This takes more planning and you want the first one to come off well, set a record of success. Our instrument of choice? An auction. A once a year special event that not only raises $$ but brings people together. It will help if you can cajole a few people into working with you. Call it the Auction Committee and even if it is three people, treat them well. You need a good location for the auction, at least 100 items worth $50 or more and a good auctioneer. Food isn't a bad idea but we'll get to that in a bit. When we held our first auction, our county committee had never raised more than $4,000 in an election cycle. We grossed $19,000 at our first auction, $36,000 for the election cycle and won the county big time. (Money didn't make the difference but the HQ/phone lines and especially Volunteers did)
Auctions are held on a Saturday. Period. Best day. Pick a Sat in August that does not have Huge competition. Every Sat has some competition but you don't want to go up against the Oscars. If you're in California or someplace where there is little seasonal change, could be a different time of year but summer is traditional.
Give yourself plenty of time (a year is good, 6 months is ok, 3 months, you better to be able to do nothing but solicit). If you are soliciting for summer start in March or sooner. Give the event a title. We call ours the Great Democracy Auction & Lobster Bake (we are in Maine after all). When soliciting Be Fearless. Go into every store in town (locally owned are easier) and say who you are, who with, that you're holding an auction and are asking for items worth $50 or more. Why $50? Cause when you're doing a live auction of 100 items, $10 items take as much time to auction as $300 items only you end up with a lot less moola.
You’ll need a good auctioneer. Either find a local progressive Dem to donate his services, a state legislator who has done it before but someone who is Good at it. Talk to them, go to one of their auctions. They have to be able to sense the room, keep things moving, engage the crowd, present the items well, etc. But back to those items? What kinds of things do you want and what will they go for?
Gift certs to stores, restaurants are always good. Week-ends at B&B’s, summer rentals, antiques, etc are also winners. Political memorabilia, signed books, T-shirts, etc are all good and get the crowd revved up. Last year we had a Dean t-shirt, signed by the man himself and I think it went for $130. This year we have at least one CTG book signed by Markos and Jerome (thanks to special, special people who went to Yearlykos) Other items that do well? We’ve auctioned web site development, massages, yoga lessons, tennis lessons, an annual physical, furniture, paintings, sculpture, pottery, catered dinners, firewood, etc. Just make sure it’s quality and Don’t Forget to Thank the Donors. A lot. One, because you really appreciate the support and two, you’ll be asking them again next year.
OK, you have somewhere between 75-150 items worth at least $50. You figure Dems will bid things up a little bit ‘cause they’re giving money but getting something in return. So the $50 item may go for as much as $80 or more. You’re calculating like a fool and spending the resultant funds. Hold on. Dems are cheap. Cheap. Either that or broke all the time. That $50 gift cert will probably go for $50 (max). Dems want Bargains. Not only do they not want to give you money and get something in the bargain, they want to give you less than it is worth. Suffer, Grin and bear it but try and get them to loosen up. Which brings us to the food and wine part.
If you have an active local Dem committee (20 or more come to monthly meetings, etc) there is an easy way to pull off the food part. Ask everyone to bring something. Finger food, desserts, but please bring something. There will be lots of folks and we’ve promised food. Please bring something. Put your name on your tray and pick it up after the auction. Now to the drink part. There has to be a good progressive local restaurant that will allow you to operate under their liquor license for the event (that allows you to pour) and might even donate beer or wine. Hit up wine stores, maybe even a wine distributor but get what you can. RENT Real Plates, coffee cups, silverware, etc. We’re Dems, let’s not only class it up a little but it’s the environmental thing to do. Creates lots less trash, rental company delivers and picks up the dirty (simplifies clean-up). It’s good to have a committee working on this as well. As you can see there is Work involved. But this should get you started.
Onto the event. This is the type of event office holders like to come to. Get some marquee name(s). Invite the highest ranked Dem office holder in the state and keep after their scheduler until you get a firm yea or nay (don’t wait to long) But get somebody and then announce it at the county meeting. Use that name to get the party faithful jazzed. Don’t get too many tho. They will all want to speak. You only want 2-3 speakers total. People are there for a good time, let’s give it to them.
OK, enough tapping for now but if this edition of Nuts & Bolts is worthy please give it a recommend. It will keep me going.