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Re-imagining Advocacy
and Electoral Campaigns
for 2014Lessons from the conversation
campaigns that won the freedom to marry
in Minnesota#RAEC14
Introductions
Dan Cramer: Co-founder, Grassroots Solutions
Ann Kaner-Roth: Executive Director, Project 515
Richard Carlbom: Campaign Manager,
Minnesotan’s United for All Families and Founder,
United Strategies
Nancy Haas: Shareholder, Messerli and Kramer,
lead lobbyist, Minnesotans United advocacy
campaign
Dan Cramer, Grassroots Solutions
@dangrassroots @GRSolutions
1. Frame your entire campaign as a conversationcampaign. Balance being deeply relational, highly accountable and achieving massive scale.
2. Invest in targeting to shape all strategic decisions.
3. Offer centralized and decentralized ways for people to participate.
4. Practice “Radical Hospitality” creating campaign cultures that engage and sustain staff and volunteers.
5. Focus on volunteer and leadership development to increase your capacity.
Field Lessons:@dangrassroots #RAEC14
1. Look objectively at the risks and benefits to your organization, and be transparent with your board.
2. Consider creating a separate campaign entity, and be proactive about the decision-making process.
3. Think carefully about how you want your organization to show up in the campaign, and build your plan accordingly.
4. Keep in mind the tension that might exist between electoral objectives and movement-building objectives and address them early on.
5. Understand the benefits and challenges of setting up a coalition model and be clear about what you’re asking of your coalition.
Leading and growing an organization
within a campaign: @Project_515 #RAEC14
Richard Carlbom, United Strategies
@richardcarlbom
1. Set and manage expectations for staff and allies. 2. Put the right team in place, give people autonomy
but demand accountability. 3. Create a culture of thinking big- don’t create false
limitations because of uncertainty.4. Use data to develop your message. Recognize when
you need to shift message frames: i.e. rights based to values based message.
5. Avoid the creation of silos within the campaigns by constantly facilitating communication and breaking down walls.
Campaign management & fundraising
lessons: @richardcarlbom #RAEC14
Nancy Haas, Messerli & Kramer
1. Integrate lobbying, communications, and grassroots to form the strongest possible advocacy campaign.
2. Recognize the significant advantages but also the unique challenges of having a large-scale grassroots program.
3. Envision the lead lobbyist as a “quarterback” facilitating the strengths and relationships of all team members.
4. Think strategically about time management in relation to the issue.
5. Establish open communication and clear decision-making lines between lobbying team, campaign leadership and legislative leadership.
Lessons on effective lobbying and lobbying
coordination: #RAEC14
Case Study
Read an in-depth case study about what it took to win the freedom to marry in
Minnesota.
“Conversation Campaign Creates Path To Victory”
Questions
If you have questions or if you would like to discuss this topic further, contact Grassroots Solutions at [email protected] or via Twitter
@GRSolutions @UStrategies
THANK YOU!
www.grassrootssolutions.com www.unitedstrategiesllc.com
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