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How to Build a Party: 5-1/2 Rules for Libertarian Party
Success
Notes taken from a
workshop presented by Bill
Winter
at Success '97 (notes taken by
Stacy Van Oast)
Why are some Libertarian Party organizations stagnant while some are
thriving?
Make sure your organization is
thriving by following these 5-1/2 rules for success!
(Bill Winter's
5-1/2 Point Vowel Program)
- Infrastructure (I) - no LP can
go about the business of politics if they don't go about business first; what
is Infrastructure?
- accurate database of supporters
and prospects
- prompt, professional inquiry
packet and renewal program; inquiry packet should include:
- a cover letter which
- says thanks
- gives an overview
- provides a progress
report
- is optimistic
- asks specifically "please join"
and explains how (sign here, enclose check)
- stresses that they should join
the LP
- an issues position
sheet
- accomplishments and
successes
- response/membership
form
- a bank account
- Activity (A) - now that the
structure is in place, fuel it and go somewhere
- Internal activities
- raise money
- ask for it (have a plan and
projects)
- make it a priority/goal - nobody
likes to ask for money, but when you accomplish your goals (ie getting money)
it's easier for people to give it (you'll feel good asking and they'll feel
good giving when you're achieving goals)
- newsletter is an ongoing
conversations with your members, must be regular and decent, stressing activity
and progress
- organized media outreach:
publicity doesn't automatically create success; success drives
publicity
- regular public
meetings
- regular leadership
meetings
- External activities
- allow us to illustrate what we
believe by doing things - not talking
- increase political activity
every year
- Excellence (E)
- every time we come in contact
with the public it must be with excellence and professionalism
- look back every year and see
measurable improvement
- Outreach (O)
- everything we do must work
toward goal of increasing membership
- the more prospecting we do, the
more members we'll get
- outreach is like breathing: if
we don't do it, we'll die
- the party should be bigger and
better after every project
- what will this project
accomplish?
- will it increase
membership?
- will it raise money?
- every step we take must get us
closer to our goal of getting bigger and better
- You (U): the LP is nothing
without the support of people
- everyone needs to make a
personal commitment
- what are YOU willing to do to
make us succeed?
5 1/2. Why? (Y) Why should we
listen to Bill Winter and these rules?
- This is what worked in New
Hampshire and it's working at the national level.
Notes on
Prospecting:
It's better to get
fewer high-quality names than lots of low-quality names Test the results of
outreach events Regarding OPH booths:
- Ask quiz-takers: "do you want to
receive info on the LP?"
- Only ask people who score 80 or
higher on Nolan quiz
- Purge your lists
- 20-25% of inquiries buy our
product, so the more people we approach...
Notes on working with
volunteers:
- Be Nice
- Follow up (call and make sure
volunteer is all set and able to do or has done job; check along the
way)
- Reward ("Libertarian of the
Month" award at every party -present a certificate, put picture and article in
newsletter)
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