ext_107666 ([identity profile] auroryborealis.livejournal.com) wrote in [community profile] fandomhigh2006-03-16 11:39 am

Political Campaigning (Thursday, March 16, 2006)

Rory smiled a little nervously at the class.

"Um, hi guys. Angel handwavily asked me to fill in, and unfortunately, I didn't have time to come up with a movie. So we're going to try an actual class today." She smiled at Logan. "And Mr. Echolls, how many days until the election?"



She sent around a handout for everyone. "Today we're talking about direct mail fundraising, which is exactly what it sounds like: people mailing you money. Since computers have been around this has actually gotten to be an even more popular way to raise funds. The reasons why direct mail is so popular are kind of obvious, really - namely, a significant number of people want to provide financial support for activities and causes they believe in, and many of these donors find that sending a check in response to a mailing to be a convenient and cost-effective way of doing so."

She consulted her notes, and wrote on the board:

Capital
Organization
Time


"These are the biggest constraints, however. It takes enormous amounts of capital just to begin something like this, and clearly you have to get that from somewhere other than having it mailed to you, right? Not to mention having the capabilitie to keep track of literally millions of dollars and donors. And the entire process is very time-consuming, which is something most candidates can't afford. Hence, they use their staff for something like this."

"So," Rory continued, looking at her notes some more, "one of the most cost-effective ways to get started in direct mail is to offer a readable, attractive newsletter which is published four to six times a year. By enclosing a return envelope with each newsletter, you can give readers an opportunity to send contributions. Donors can also be recognized in the newsletter, and articles can be published from time to time about how individuals may remember the organization in their wills."

She looked back up. "Did that make sense? Um. What we're going to do today is kind of easy. You can work on your own or with a partner or two - I don't care - but we're going to kind work off this newsletter thing, and sort of come up with one for ourselves. No, not for your candidate. For you. Come up with a really good tagline sort of deal and a blurb about why people should send you money, hypothetically. Be creative. And...I guess turn it in by next class, since Professor Lyman'll want to see what we've been up to, right?"

She smiled again. "Um. Questions? Or are we good?"

Re: Sign in

[identity profile] mparkerceo.livejournal.com 2006-03-16 05:33 pm (UTC)(link)
Parker signed in, then grinned and waited for 'Mr. Echolls' to answer the question.

Re: Sign in

[identity profile] courier-gavin.livejournal.com 2006-03-16 07:03 pm (UTC)(link)
Jake signs in.

Re: Sign in

[identity profile] threeweapons.livejournal.com 2006-03-17 12:39 am (UTC)(link)
Alanna signed in and did her best not to flail.

Re: Sign in

[identity profile] notcalledlizzie.livejournal.com 2006-03-17 02:09 am (UTC)(link)
Elizabeth signs in.
fh_jackass: Logan Echolls (Classwork)

Re: Sign in

[personal profile] fh_jackass 2006-03-17 04:42 am (UTC)(link)
Logan signed in. "230, Ms. Gilmore," he said in a sing-song voice.

Re: Sign in

[identity profile] psycho-barbie.livejournal.com 2006-03-17 07:05 am (UTC)(link)
Callisto signed in.

Re: Discussion/Questions/Work

[identity profile] mparkerceo.livejournal.com 2006-03-16 10:06 pm (UTC)(link)
Vote for Burns!

Parker was working on the following:

Working for Montana for 18 years, and working for you now

Newsy blurbs:
- the Chris LeDoux thing
- the teacher-payback blurb -- How Burns' resolutions guarnantees good education on the reservations
- Who Burns has met with, emphasis on contacts, experience, ability to get things done

Contributions needed: Keep Burns in Congress, assist your legislator in meeting his future goals for you

Re: OOC

[identity profile] notstakedyet.livejournal.com 2006-03-16 05:02 pm (UTC)(link)
Nothing wrong with puppies =)

Re: OOC

[identity profile] notstakedyet.livejournal.com 2006-03-16 05:06 pm (UTC)(link)
Perhaps that we do not pet puppies often enough?

Re: OOC

[identity profile] notstakedyet.livejournal.com 2006-03-16 05:10 pm (UTC)(link)
Certainly not as far as the puppies are concerned.