Field Plan Development & Approach

Philosophy of Grassroots Organizing

You Are Leaders

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.

Margaret Mead

I’m asking you to believe. Not just in my ability to bring about real change... I’m asking you to believe in yours.

Barack Obama

• The 2010 Election was lost on turnout

• Americans Abroad were under-represented in 2010

• We can make the difference

Our Challenge: The White House

If You Remember Nothing Else Today

• Respect• Empower• Include

This is how we treat everyone we meet.

Respect

• What you’re asking them to do is important• You won’t waste their time• You’re interested in their thoughts• You will take yourself and the campaign

seriously• They will have an opportunity to make real

change• We will be professional• We are always, always courteous

Include

• The campaign is built around the people who care about it

• Their stories are a part of the campaign• The ideas, suggestions, views and

experiences of our activists are the fuel for this campaign – respect them and listen to them

Empower

Public Supporters Activists Leaders

• Give supporters many opportunities to help• Train and support activists• Hand over responsibility• Set clear goals and demonstrate shared

accountability• Each volunteer should be able to make the

campaign their own

Constructive Interactions

– Sign up on the website/sign this card– Come to our next meeting– Talk to your friends– Volunteer for us at [date, location]– Vote [expected referendum date, local

voting centre]

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

2012 key events timeline

UK Council

DA PRIMARYELECTION

Week of May 1

UK July 4 Picnic UK Council

DA Global ConventionPuerto Vallarta, Mexico

May 19-20

US GENERALELECTION

Nov 6

Democratic National ConventionCharlotte, North Carolina

September 3-6

DA EMEA RegionalStrasbourg, France

January 27-29

Deadline to declareUK locations for

DA Primary

UK ExCom(plus additional

throughout year)

Ingredients

• Voter Registration• Phone Banking• Events• Social and Traditional Media

Voter Registration

• Put a committee in place– Their job is to coordinate, not do it all– Voter reg people at every meeting or event– Compile a list of US organisations, locations

and events popular with Americans– Contact study abroad offices (before students

arrive)

Voter Registration

• For the Field Plan– Establish some goals

• Tiered in the runup to election– Number of volunteers– Number of voter contacts– Number of voters registered

– State how you’ll track and record outcomes

Phone Banking

• Ideally: call all members twice– Jan-Sept: Ballot request– Sept-Nov: GOTV

• Divide and conquer:– Assign chapters to call their own members– Prioritise swing states

Phone Banking

• Logistics– Where and when?

• Remote calling is rarely effective • Face to face in physical location

– Quiet cafe at a regular time?

– Data management• Signed confidentiality sheets• Consistent recording of call outcomes• Keep the same list for entire calling cycle• Coordinate with database team

“I love the AR-Vols”

• AR = Already Requested• AV = Already Voted• WR = Will Request• WV = Will Vote• NV = Not Voting• LM = Left Message• WN = Wrong Number• CB = Call Back• Vol = Volunteer

Events

• Plan them around major calendar moments• Remember you need main election events

to happen at least 1 month BEFORE• Major events

– Debate watches– Convention watches

• Get these in listings magazines

What type?

Type of Event Good for...

Rally Generating buzz, Recruiting activists, Visibility & Media

Canvass or Door Knock Raising awareness, Signing up supporters

Speaker Presentation Educating supporters, Attracting attention

Training Engaging activists, Managing message, Developing leaders

Film Night Engaging activists

Fundraisers Raising money, Engaging activists

Social Events Build community, have fun

Social Media Tips and Tricks• Facebook

– Use a Facebook group – Create Facebook event with open invitations– Ask people to tag themselves in event photos

• Twitter– Use TwitPic to post photos– Get a volunteer to “Live Tweet” from the event– Use a relevant hashtag

• Blogger outreach– Do your members blog? – Get them the info