| Bob Clark said when we offer help to candidates, we need to stay in touch with the candidates so we know what they're doing, and what they need.
Dick suggested we get in touch with people who have contacted us offering us volunteer help, but David said before we do that we need to make sure we have things for them to do. David reminded us that between elections, there is also advocating for or against legislation, helping out with the newsletter, and other things.
David said he would like to be prepared for when a candidate comes to us and says "I'm thinking about running, and I'd be willing to run as a Libertarian or an Independent", and assuming we agree with his platform, "what can you as the state party do to help my campaign?"
Alwin pointed out that someone who approaches us like that, probably has little experience as a candidate. He suggested putting together a "candidate's packet". It could contain a list of resources, like web sites, and so forth. A quick summary of the steps to get on the ballot.
David said there's actually two stages to deal with: 1) for someone who says they would like to run for office, we could give them a one page summary of the steps they need to take. And 2) for those who are actually running a campaign, we offer them a packet of more detailed information. Like a successful campaign will have this kind of organization, and have people who go door to door, etc. Basically, in the summary you say what needs to be done, and in the packet you say how to do it, and here's how the state party can help you do it.
George said we should have a concrete list of what we can provide to campaigns, such as money, party contact lists, national party contact lists, lists of registered voters, party bumper stickers, information about how to get on the ballot.
David asked what kind of things can we, as the state party, NOT help with? So the candidate looks at the summary guide, and asks "how much of this can you help with?" George said we're limited by resources, and in the case of money, we are limited by law.
If a candidate asked us "what do I need to do?", it would be nice to have some bullet points in a concise list. David said he hasn't seen something like that. George said he has an after action report on cmlc.org, and anyone else on the committee that has run for office could contribute to a list.
George suggested a useful technological item would be a usable HTML website template. With instructions like: insert your photo here, insert your name here, etc. David said that having a good web site should be one of the bullet points on this list, and if we could provide assistance for that, that would be great.
Dick said when we talk to volunteers, we could ask them to be a local representative, and when they're talking to people, they could ask the others if they would like to help. Then, when we need more volunteers, we could tap into those groups for activities like standouts, etc.
Bob Underwood said we should define success as getting on the ballot, and although we can't help everybody get their signatures, Bob could give some advice on how they can do it. Bob has done this several times.
Alwin mentioned a set of signature gathering instructions that Bob Clark typed up, and Bob said he would bring that in.
David suggested that we put together that first page, and see where it takes us. George said we could start with a page on the cmlc.org website.
Bob Clark suggested that one of the first documents a candidate should read is on the Secretary of State's website, called "Don't just stand there...RUN!". Alwin suggested that we get some of those to hand out. George mentioned it is available in .pdf form, so we shouldn't need many of the paper copies.
Dick has heard that WTKK radio holds seminars, and Bob Clark said he had been to one. They have speakers that have run for office before, someone from the OCPF, and Bob described it as very informative. |
