what's next? how to get more involved and go beyond complaining on social media

Now What?

How to Get Involved and Do More Than Complain on

Social Media

a.k.a. changing your Facebook Profile does little to change the world

–Hillary Clinton

“Do all the good you can, for all the people you can,

in all the ways you can, as long as ever you can.”

No More JokingThis is Real

“It’s not enough to just ‘do your part’- we have to help everyone find a way to

contribute and make a positive difference. We need to give people the tools- and directions- to be more active

and to have their voices heard.”

I thought I did my part.

I need to do More.

I need to help you do more.

We Need YOU!

Seriously- we do!

• Candidates need webmasters, social media experts, messaging people, graphic designers, and people committed to make a difference

• We need candidates who know about the world that is coming, not just the world as it has been.

• Go to your local council meetings. How many people are under 60 in the audience?

–Seth Godin

“We each have a platform, access to tools, a change we'd like to make in the world around us. We each have a chance to connect, to see, to lead.And it's not, at least right now, fun or easy. It might not even seem like you've got a shot, or that the wind is too harsh.

Persist. It matters.”

Your Local Elections Matter

• Your day to day life is more effected by your local officials than it is by the people in Harrisburg or DC.

• Become a leader- everybody needs the help, everyone wants fresh blood.

• Enthusiasm and persistence are the key.

My Story• Drop in volunteer

• Phone banker, Canvassing disaster!

• Poll Attorney, Watcher

• Candidate!

• Staying the Course and Going Local

• Township Supervisor

Figuring Out What to DoAnd HOW to do it

Pick a Passion• What are the issues you care most about?

• Equality?

• Education?

• Environment?

• Inefficient and antiquated Government?

• Open Space?

Is Your Issue Local, State Or

Federal?Local

School BoardTownship

Library BoardCounty Commission

Chamber of CommerceHistorical Commission

Parks & Rec BoardsElection commission

StateCommissions

CourtsState House

SenateState Agencies

FederalHouseSenateCourts

Federal Agencies

What are your Talents?• What can you contribute? My superpower is

________

• What are you good at? What are your weaknesses?

• What do you love? What do you hate?

• Why are you different than the folks currently in charge? How are you the same?

• What do you want to accomplish?

Some Jobs Require Qualifications, Some

Don’t….• County Commissioner

• Judge

• District Attorney

• Sheriff

• Prothonotary

• Register of Wills Recorder of Deeds

• School Board/Director

• Township Surpervisor/Borough Counsel

• Auditor

• Constable (law enforcement)

• Tax Collector

• Coroner

Some are real FT Jobs, some PT, Some

Honorary• Full Time- State and Federal Jobs (State rep = $87K/yr)

• County “line offices” - Prothonotary, etc. Paid FT

• Township Supervisor- $2,500 a year -depends on size of population- statutory, PT

• Borough Counsel- No pay PT

• School District- elected, no compensation

• Planning commission- small stipend- $600 or so per yr.

• http://publicsource.org/pennsylvania-state-salaries-2015

Nice work if you can get it…

• http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2010/08/commissioners_in_some_pennsylv.html

• The Elk County Commissioners approved a resolution fixing the salaries of certain county officers for the fiscal years 2016-2019.…In 2016, the 2 percent raise will bring the salary schedule to $56,391 for county commissioners, prothonotary and register of wills/recorder of deeds; $50,455 for the treasurer and sheriff salaries; $29,894 for the coroner's salary and $133.50 for the auditors.

Find Mentors• Talk to people who have run for office before,

even if unsuccessfully

• Become a Committee Person for the local party of your choice

• Work the Polls-go to your County’s voter services site

• http://www.chesco.org/DocumentCenter/View/34432 How to Run for Office document

What is a Campaign?• 6-9 month marketing and branding campaign

• “non-profit” fundraising on steroids

• You have to learn to take help and trust others to have your back

• Dealing with cynical, jaded people who will offend your sensibilities

• Willing to disagree without being disagreeable

The Data Is Amazing

Not in Harrisburg, Still Making a Difference

Start Here- Election Districts

• http://www.redistricting.state.pa.us/Maps/House.cfm

• Interactive district maps on the State and federal level

Nuts and Bolts

• https://ballotpedia.org/Ballot_access_requirements_for_political_candidates_in_Pennsylvania

• In order to get on the ballot in Pennsylvania, a candidate for state or federal office must meet a variety of complex, state-specific filing requirements and deadlines. These laws are set at the state level. A candidate must prepare to meet ballot access requirements well in advance of primaries, caucuses and the general election.

• You need to petition to get on the ballot. You will need about 2x the number of signatures required in order to avoid challenges by the other party.

• If you work with a traditional party, they will help you get the signatures you need

• You need to form a campaign committee, with a Chairman (largely an honorary job) get a treasurer, and set up a PAC for fundraising. (Campaign finance and reporting is on a strict schedule)

• You will need to file a statement of financial interest- http://www.ethics.pa.gov/How-To/Pages/How-To-File-a-Statement-of-Financial-Interests.aspx#.Vo0wD01gmUk

• Candidate’s Affidavit

• EVERYTHING needs to be notarized- many banks do it for free, or Wiggins will do it for a small charge

• http://www.dos.pa.gov/VotingElections/CandidatesCommittees/CampaignFinance/Pa

• https://www.pavoterservices.state.pa.us/Pages/officesurvey.aspx

• https://www.pavoterservices.state.pa.us/Pages/Petition%20Instructions.pdf

What Else Will I Need?• Website

• Social Media pages

• Palm cards - Rack Cards

• Mailers

• Fund-raising letters

• email address

• PO Box for campaign

• Bank Account for campaign- treasurer

Extras- The Help You May Need

• Campaign Committee

• Treasurer

• Campaign Manager

• Field Director

• Volunteer coordinator/Scheduler

• Marketing/Messaging/Social media

A Campaign “Season”• Talk to a Party director NOW, Go to local meetings

NOW and find out local issues that are important to you

• Nomination petitions in January/February, then

• Candidate School! (State level and higher)

• Getting the word out, website, signs for the primary, Palm cards and door knocking until….

• Primary in May

After the Primary• Fundraising - plan in advance, get a plan and a

budget together (you will need “official” name badge, signs, rack cards, car magnets, mailers- know the costs)

• Get a strategy- who are your voters?

• Attend every possible local event- introduce yourself, contact local media

• Get a community project- I walked trails every Friday morning and invited community to join

• Door knocking, debates, presentations at local senior centers, etc. Get an elevator speech; why you’re running and the issues that most concern you

• Research the competition; Know their strengths and weaknesses as well as your own

• Be prepared to have them do the same. Know your strengths and weaknesses as well. Can you turn their version of a weakness into a strength? (Just a mom = Better in touch with our families and schools)

Losing and Winning

Losing is okay

• I lost a well run race in 2014

• Gained name recognition, respect from my community, and one of the best learning experiences about how “politics” really works from the inside

• Turned that into a successful run for the next office- and the whole thing was really close- 150 vote margin or so.

Winning is a responsibility

• If elected, you have a fiduciary responsibility to your community to act in their stead. Take this responsibility seriously.

• Be the change you want to see. Don't let anyone else dictate your core values.

• Be authentic. Be Yourself. That’s what people want to see.

Use your talents to make

Make Change• PDF New Resident’s Manual

• Videos of local projects, working during a snow storm

• New website- now mobile friendly!

• Sustainable Development office- working for business and environment

• Working to get 2 GB high speed internet into the community

• Bringing together local municipalities and school district

• Got school superintendent onto the Library Board of Directors

You CAN do it

On the front line or behind the scenes

But DO get involved

Go Make a Difference

Not The End, Just a New Beginning