State Sponsorship Packet 2013

7/28/2019 State Sponsorship Packet 2013

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OVERVIEW

Dear College Dems,

This August, CDA will host its annual convention in Washington, DC. Ourprogram will feature nationally prominent speakers, expert-led trainingpanels, networking and social opportunities, and the election of a newexecutive board that will lead us through the 2013-2014 academic year. Asyou start to think about making travel arrangements so that you can share inthis incredible experience, you will need to put together a budget for yourstate or chapter, based on the number of delegates you hope to bring toWashington and the amount of money you anticipate being able to invest inthe trip. Below are suggestions to help generate funds to lower the cost forindividuals to make it to this convention, and to allow as many members to

attend as possible!

As always, CDAs national leaders are here to help as you make your plansfor the convention. Please do not hesitate to contact me [email protected] if you have questions about budgeting orfundraising. If you would like help packaging the materials you will be usingto reach out to potential donors, our communications team can assist withlogos, layout, and even editing. Your promotional materials should be eye-catching and look professional, so think about incorporating graphics and/orphotos. Let our Communications Director, Kenzi Green, know if you would likehelp in these areas by emailing her at [email protected].

Democratically yours,

Devin Mapes, Development Director

BUDGETING FOR CONVENTION

It is important to put time into your budget, thinking through exactly whatexpenses you will incur, and setting realistic goals for attendance andfundraising. If you plan on flying into Washington, shop around and book yourflight as early as possible to lock in a low fare. If you will be renting vans orbuses, allow time to request price quotes from multiple vendors, and do notbe afraid to ask them for a lower, discounted pricewe are members of astudent organization, after all!

Below is an example of what a budget might look like for a chapter travelingfrom Boston to Washington with 20 members. You will notice that thischapter is counting on substantial support from its school to subsidize thecost incurred by its members. The highlighted number on the lower right ofthe table is the total amount of money the chapter must raise in order tomeet its overall estimates. This number is your fundraising goal, and it shouldbe set at an attainable level. Its always better to raise more than youcounted on (thus allowing members to make smaller personal contributionsto the cost of the trip) than it is to set an unrealistically high goal and be
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forced to ask your members to pay more out of pocket. Depending on yourchapters or states present financial situation, you might find it helpful toback into some of these calculations. For instance, if you know exactly howmuch money your school will give you, and how much members would feelcomfortable contributing themselves, you can subtract that sum from thetotal cost to determine how much you would have to raise in order to bring agiven number of delegates.

Cost of attendance per persontraveling from Boston

Total cost of attendance for20 delegates

Description Amount Amount

Roundtrip airfare $175 $3,500

Lodging $125 $2,500

Meals $50 $1,000

TOTAL $350 $7,000

Revenue per personTotal revenue for 20

delegates

Description Amount Amount

Personal contribution $150 $3,000Subsidy fromuniversity $125 $2,500Funds raised bychapter $75 $1,500

TOTAL $350 $7,000

SOURCES OF FUNDING

Depending on the financial setup of your state federation and its chapters,you might be able to pursue funding from a range of sources that couldsubsidize the cost of travel to Washington. Here are a few possible targets toconsider when soliciting contributions:

State and local party organizations talk to your state party, andencourage chapter leaders to reach out to Democratic Partycommittees in their counties and towns.

Elected officials and candidates in most cases, these individuals candonate from their campaign funds, rather than giving personally.Historically, those most likely to donate are young politicians, past

beneficiaries of College Democrats campaign efforts, or those whohold or are running for safe Democratic seats. Speak with them first.

Labor unions most unions have established political actioncommittees (PACs) for the purpose of supporting candidates andpromoting political activism in general.

Allied organizations think about progressive organizations andadvocacy groups you have worked with or supported in the past. Stateor local affiliates of groups interested in economic justice, womensrights, LGBT rights and environmental issues are just a few that mightbe able to offer support from their general funds, or through a PAC.

College Democrats alumni compile a list of past members of your


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state federations board, or of your chapter. Those who are a coupleyears out of college might be well positioned to donate to a group inwhich they were invested back in school.

Businesses in some cases, corporations and partnerships like lawfirms may make direct contributions to your group. PACs cannot acceptfunds from corporations.

If you are having trouble coming up with specific organizations to target, hereare some starting points. Many groups have state and local affiliates thatmight be even more likely to donate. Just remember to make sure that youare in compliance with all applicable campaign finance regulations beforesoliciting contributions!

America Votes

American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations

(AFL-CIO)

American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees(AFSCME)

Center for American Progress/Campus Progress

Change to Win Federation

Human Rights Campaign

International Brotherhood of Teamsters

League of Conservation Voters

MoveOn

NAACP National Voter Fund NARAL Pro-Choice America

National Education Association (NEA)

National Organization for Women (NOW)

People for the American Way

Planned Parenthood Action Fund

Service Employees International Union (SEIU)

Sierra Club

USAction

Working America

While funding policies vary greatly, colleges are another place for chapters tolook when you are budgeting for this trip. Let chapter leaders in your stateknow now that they should consider applying for funds from studentgovernment associations well in advance of the start of their fall semesters!

DONOR OUTREACH

Once you have constructed a budget reflecting the number of members youplan on bringing, what a reasonable expected personal contribution would be,and projected expenditures and outside sources of revenue, write afundraising plan that lays out a path to reaching your goal. Brainstorm with


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your executive board to come up with a list of individuals and other entitiesto target. If a member has a connection to one of your targets, it might bemost effective to have him or her make that ask. Otherwise, the solicitationshould come from your groups president.

Before soliciting contributions from potential donors, decide what method ofcommunication is most appropriate for each. Here are some general tips tokeep in mind when thinking about how to contact your targets:

Mass email blasts are a quick and cost-free way to reach largeaudiences, but the return on those blasts is lowwe dont recommendthis method for any high-priority donors.

Brief personal emails with formal contribution requests attached mightbe the best way to contact some prospective donors, though others

might be much more easily reached and more likely to give by mail orby phone.

If you contact a target by phone and do not reach them, considerfollowing up with an email explaining that you called and providingthem with more information.

o Conversely, if you send an email and do not receive a responsewithin a week or so, try giving them a call and offer to resendthe message.

o Multiple forms of contact can effectively reinforce your message,particularly when dealing with targets that are constantly beingasked for money.

When soliciting a contribution from an individual who you have not

met, or from a group with which you have not worked, you shouldmake an effort to arrange an in-person meeting. Most people wouldrather not spend half an hour on the phone listening to somebody theydo not know talk about all of the great things their organization (i.e.your College Dems group) does.

o If logistics allow, meeting for coffee is a great way to make astronger connection with a potential donor.

o Bring printed materials for potential donors to review, and walkthem through your mission, past successes, and future plans --and let them know why it is important for you to be inWashington for our national convention.

o People are much more likely to say yes to any ask that youmake in person than to one made by phone or in writing.

o Remember, this is not just an opportunity to find a donor for thisevent; its an opportunity to build a lasting College Demssupporter.

Keep track of each interaction you have by creating a spreadsheet that willlet you know when to follow up with each person and prevent you fromsending multiple solicitations to a single target. Use that spreadsheet to keeptrack of who has pledged to donate, and how much they committed to givingso that you always know how close you are to your fundraising goal. If you


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have the capacity to accept contributions online, offer that option. If not, letyour donors know how they should make out their checks and where theyshould send them. Allow a couple of weeks for checks to arrive, and follow upwith those whose donations you have not yet received after that period;people can easily forget to put a check out in the mail.

In the following sections of this guide, you will find examples of language thatyou may tailor to your group when reaching out to prospective donors. Feelfree to use as much or as little of this content as you like. As mentionedabove, the cost of travel is likely to increase as time passes, so considerdrafting a timeline for the outreach process. Doing so will help you organizeyour thoughts, stay on track, and avoid last-minute panic!

SAMPLE FUNDRAISING LETTER

Dear ________,

In 2008, members of the College Democrats of America (CDA) knocked onover 1.2 million doors and made over 1.5 million phone calls as part of anunprecedented level of youth engagement that helped President BarackObama carry the youth vote by a remarkable 35 points and propel him to theWhite House. In 2012, young people turned out once more to make sure hewas reelected and to support down-ballot Democrats across the country.

For the first time since Election Day, College Democrats leaders will beconvening from all parts of the country at our national convention inWashington, DC this August. At the CDA convention, local, state, and national

College Democrats leaders will assemble to participate in an intensiveprogram of trainings and networking sessions and hear from nationallyprominent speakers while sharing best practices.

As president of the [chapter/state] it is my goal to bring at least [numberof attendees] student activists to Washington. Commentators often talkabout an enthusiasm gap within my generation, and I want to make sure weclose that gap by getting our extraordinary young activists together andenergized. I know they will take that energy with them back to theircampuses and their communities, and it is only with such motivation that wewill be able to sustain the level of youth engagement that put Barack Obamain the White House.

I know you understand what is at stake in coming elections. Please supportthe College Democrats of[chapter/state] by sponsoring our delegationsattendance at the CDA 2013 Convention. I have attached information aboutsuch opportunities, and I would welcome the chance to discuss them withyou. I can be reached at [contact information].

Thank you so much; I appreciate your consideration and I look forward tohearing from you!

Sincerely,


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SAMPLE CHAPTER/STATE FEDERATION SPOTLIGHT SECTIONThe College Democrats of[chapter/state] have enjoyed incredible successby so many measures. Here are just a few of our accomplishments:

[Below are some of CDAs examples to help you develop your own]

In Massachusetts, 115 of you invaded Plymouth for two days and nights ofcanvassing and phonebanking that yielded thousands of voter contactsand a Democratic victory in the race for an open House seat, as well as inevery single statewide race.

In North Carolina, you also organized the first ever Historically BlackCollege and University Leadership Conference, which brought studentsfrom HBCUs across the state to Greensboro, NC for a day of inspirational

speakers, trainings, breakout sessions and panels that gave students theresources necessary to return to their communities as effective leaders.

The California College Democrats helped execute a statewide voterregistration project specifically targeted at students. CCD organized itsmembers to register thousands of new voters with innovative ideas suchas Trick or Vote and grassroots organizing events for Governor JerryBrown and Senator Barbara Boxer.

SAMPLE CONTRIBUTION LEVELS

A donation at any of the following sponsorship levels would go towardspromoting an individual/organization at the College Democrats National

Convention.

Freshman Level - $500A gift at this level will fully fund the attendance of one of our members at theconvention- Online spotlight page for the organization/individual

Sophomore Level - $1000A gift at this level will fully fund the attendance of two of our members at theconvention- Recognition as a [State Fed/Chapter] Honorary Council member- Opportunity to participate on a statewide conference call/chapter event

-Online spotlight page for the organization/individual

Junior Level - $1500A gift at this level will cover the cost of our members meals for the lengththe convention- 30 students in Washington will wear a specially designed t-shirt with your

individual/organizations name and/or logos featured prominently on theback of each shirt!

- Recognition as a [State Fed/Chapter] Honorary Council member- Opportunity to participate on a statewide conference call/chapter event- Online spotlight page for the organization/individual


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Senior Level - $2000A gift at this level will cover the cost of our members lodging in Washington

- 50 students in Washington will wear a specially designed t-shirt with yourindividual/organizations name and/or logos featured prominently on theback of each shirt!

- Recognition as a [State Fed/Chapter] Honorary Council member- Opportunity to participate on a statewide conference call/chapter event- Online spotlight page for the organization/individual

Super Senior - $3000A gift at this level will cover the cost of our members [air/bus/van/car] travelto Washington- 100 students in Washington will wear a specially designed t-shirt with your

individual/organizations name and/or logos featured prominently on theback of each shirt!- Recognition as a [State Fed/Chapter] Honorary Council member- Opportunity to participate on a statewide conference call/chapter event- Online spotlight page for the organization/individual

We will need help from our supporters in order to build student engagementand bring our energy to the 2013 Convention, so I hope you will considermaking a contribution!

Documents

State Sponsorship Packet 2013