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| Path: Main Street : Resources & Library : Research Articles : Feature Article |
Election Action -- What should non-profit groups do before/during/after an election?
By Ken WymanCanada will have a federal election Nov. 27th. We've just had municipal elections across Ontario. And the USA seems almost done with this never-ending election for a new president, congress, senate, and state governors. Cabinet shuffles can happen almost any time.
Most non-profit groups don't jump on the opportunities this offers. Of course, most non-profit groups and charities are non-partisan, and must not be seen to favour any particular party or candidate.
Still, there is much you can do. And must do, since governments at every level have major impact on health, education, social services, arts and culture, youth, the homeless and dozens of other issues.
Here are a few tips:
Before/during an election:
- Note the candidates' positions on issues relevant to your work.
- Think about your organization's views on issues that they are proposing.
- Nurture ties with candidates (at least those with whom you have some overlapping interests, not the jerks).
a) Give them information on your issues, which they may work into their campaign. After all, you have inside information on the hottest topics -- or topics that should be hot.
b) Cultivate a relationship that may help if they are elected.
- Form a coalition with like-minded non-profits, and approach the politicians together. I remember a new Minister of Tourism who endorsed her governments cuts to arts funding. When asked about the effect this would have on tourism, she admitted she did not see the link. She may have been stupid, but the real blame goes to the arts groups that had not educated her.
After the election:
- Phone the winning candidates in your area (or at least send a note) to:
a) Congratulate them on their success, and
b) Set up a meeting to cultivate the relationship. Include their constituency assistants in the meeting -- these gatekeepers often have more time (and information) to help you than the politicians themselves. In order to truly cultivate the relationship, first and foremost listen to their views on your issues, and ask about their personal connections (maybe they have a family member with cancer, or a mother who was a teacher, or a friend who loves opera or wilderness camping). Only after listening to them, discuss how your organization serves the people in the politician's constituency. Search for a win-win link in your mission, vision and values. Try to get the meeting early on, while they are still formulating plans.
c) Invite them to tour your organization, meet the people you help, and see you in action.
d) Add the candidate and the constituency assistant to your mailing list, and your email. Send news releases, annual reports, backgrounders, invitations to events, newsletters and more.
e) Throughout their time in office, ask them to speak out on your issues. Invite them to cut ribbons, open new facilities, appear at your special events. Arrange photo opportunities and news coverage. Make friends with them as much as you can -- and they will be more likely to take the actions you want.
- Phone the losing candidates (at least the one who are tolerable), and
a) Console them. They may run again. and may remember you warmly.
b) Recruit them as volunteers.
- Recruit volunteers from the best election campaign workers. They know fundraising, publicity and a host of skills you need.
- Re-evaluate your political environment. Is there a new political mood? How might it affect your organization? Could it lead to reductions in your government funding (if any)? Or an opportunity to increase your government support? Will the government now pass laws that affect the people you help? If the implications are serious:
a) Educate your members/clients/donors. Ask them to contact the newly elected politicians, and share the non-profit's insights and positions,
b) Write editorials, opinion pieces and letters to the editor.
Note: Who should phone the candidates? First choice is a member of your board who was active in their campaign. Then a person who donated (or whose company donated) to both your group and the campaign. Finally, seniors volunteer, the executive director, senior staff - or even a political affairs consultant.
Note: So your favourite candidates are not in power? If you have friends who are in an elected office, but not in a position of power, they can still help you by acting as a 'shadow cabinet' -- asking questions, raising issues and speaking to the media.
Note: Beware being too political -- or too passive. Most non-profits must remain neutral, or at least not show their political leanings. Stay within the limits of acceptable advocacy. Don't favour one party, and risk alienating another, which might someday come to power. But don't be so timid that you fail to take legal and appropriate action that could help the people you serve.
Politicians have told me they are surprised how seldom non-profit groups approach them. They try to understand all sides of an argument, but if they only hear from the business sector, they may not learn about your views.
These ideas were polished in a brainstorming session of the Humber College (Toronto) Fundraising and Volunteer Management class, including:
Chelsea Armitage Christian Barber Alison Bloetjes Michelle Elvins Julie Flynn Susan Gilliland Danielle Gonsavles Graham Hill Mary Kitsopoulos Stephanie Niro Holly Paulin Michelle Stefanski Julie Tong Amanda Wakely Christine Woodbridge David Young Ken Wyman provides training and consulting services in fundraising and volunteering. For more information, contact Ken Wyman & Associates Inc. at 64 Lamb Ave., Toronto, ON M4J 4M3; tel: 416/362-2926; fax: 416/352-5470; e-mail KenWyman@CompuServe.com. You can also e-mail Ken and subscribe to receive free fundraising tips. Find his free fundraising books at: www.greenability.org.
Fundraising courses live in the classroom at Humber College.
PART-TIME http://cecalendar.humber.ca/fundrsng
FULL-TIME http://www.mediastudies.humber.ca/fundraise
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