Mobilizing for Democratic Victories in Arizona – 2010
Developing a schedule of activities leading to Election Day 2010 by each of the 116 Democratic organizations in Arizona was presented to the Executive Committee of the Arizona Democratic Party at the fall convention in Kingman, AZ. The following is one part of that plan directed at two important objectives:
- It provides a planning framework for activity with the goal of contacting every registered Democrat, increasing the number of registered Democrats, increasing the number of Democrats on the Permanent Early Voting List and raising awareness and contributions for Democratic Get Out the Vote projects.
- Monetizing the activity will demonstrate the value of canvassing, phoning, tabling and other activities not only to activists but to potential large donors. Proof of commitment by members of the Party as a whole will encourage larger donations to match the value of our activity.
A further benefit will be a way for each of us to monitor the progress of our organization and further provide the State Party with a way to measure our individual progress. That raises the possibility of more efficient allocation of funds and effort by the State Party which in turn will help ensure Democratic electoral victories.
The below offers a dollar value for volunteer effort in two ways. One represents a value for hours worked. The second gives values for tasks accomplished. The choice is yours whether a combination, either, or.
A further suggestion is that all organizations, clubs and caucuses work together to coordinate their activities to achieve maximum effect. The premise is that collaboration will capitalize on the strengths and overcome the various weaknesses inherent in all of our organizations.
Below are two hypothetical examples. The first suggests possible regional groupings. The list is not definitive; it only offers an example of potential combinations. Second is a hypothetical action plan for a region – in this case Apache and Navajo County. It is designed to show the distinction between “in kind” and direct contributions. Please emphasize hypothetical. These examples are not prescriptions but only suggestions to stimulate your thinking and planning
A Mobilization Suggestion
Below are possible regional combinations. The percentage figures represent the total of all 116 Democratic organizations within each hypothetical region.
| Region 1 (Apache & Navajo County and 3 clubs): | 4.30% |
| Region 2 (Coconino County and 2 clubs): | 2.60% |
| Region 3 (Yavapai County and 2 clubs): | 4.60% |
| Region 4 (Mohave County and 8 clubs): | 7.80% |
| Region 5 (Yuma & La Paz County and 1 club): | 2.60% |
| Region 6 (Maricopa County and 35 clubs and LD orgs): | 31.0% |
| Region 7 (Pinal County and 9 clubs): | 8.60% |
| Region 8 (Pima & Santa Cruz County and 24 clubsand 1 LD): | 23.30% |
| Multi-county Organizations (3): | 2.80% |
| Statewide Caucuses and Organizations (11): | 9.50% |
The monetary value of activity can be negotiated. The following is in line with the state party and offered as a planning aid.
| Hour | Task | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canvassing | at $10/hr | Phones | |||
| Telephoning | at $8/hr | Not Home | $0.25 | ||
| PEVL recruits | at $7 each | Refused, deceased, wrong number, Spanish | $0.50 | ||
| Small donor | $/mo | PEVL application | $7.00 | ||
| Pledge to ADP | x12 | New Democratic registration | $10.00 | ||
| Other | GIVE enrollment | $10.00 | |||
| offices | Canvass | ||||
| supplies | Contact | $5.00 | |||
| services | Knock | $1.00 | |||
| Direct contribution to State | |||||
Canvassing is practical in only a few communities. They include Show Low, St. Johns, Window Rock, Fort Defiance, Ganado, Chinle, Winslow, Holbrook, Kayenta and Hopi Mesa. Volunteers are sparse. But collaborating with County Parties and the three clubs budget an eight hour canvass per community with 20 canvassers twice in 2010. Targets are low efficiency Democratic voters checking registration and promoting PEVL.
| # hours | $ value | Total |
|---|---|---|
| 3200 | $10 | $32,000 |
Phone banking begins early with volunteers calling from their homes. In all 20 volunteers commit to 6 hours per week of phoning to high efficiency Democrats for a total of 8 months. Message is to first contact, second PEVL, and third to ask Dems to join the small donor program at $10/month for 12 months.
| # hours | $ value | Total |
|---|---|---|
| 3840 | $8 | $30,720 |
The combination of phone banking and canvassing will yield an estimated 1800 voters to the Permanent Early Voting List.
| # hours | $ value | Total |
|---|---|---|
| 1800 | $7 | $12,800 |
Phone and canvassing volunteers find the 750 high efficiency Democrats are willing to commit $10/month doe 12 months to the Arizona Democratic Party.
| # hours | $ value | Total |
|---|---|---|
| 750 | $120 | $90,000 |
Organizations identify 10 public events that last a total of 20 days that are suitable for tabling. Volunteers operate the tables for 8 hours on each of the days.
| # hours | $ value | Total |
|---|---|---|
| 320 | $10 | $3,200 |
Direct fund raising - solicitation and events- yields sufficient funds to make a $1000 direct contribution to the Arizona Democratic Party and also $4000 to open one office for operations at a site the collaborators choose.
| $ value | Total | |
|---|---|---|
| Grand Total | $173,520 | |
| In Kind | $168,520 | |
| Direct | $5,000 |