Date: Sun, 09 Nov 2003 13:37:29 -0600
From: "Steven I. Givot" <givot@softwarena.com>
Subject: Re: [LP-Chairs] Progress Towards a Worthy Goal (was: MA Double Losses)


I do not post to this list very often, and in light of recent comments,
I am somewhat hesitant to do so now.

HOWEVER, I feel so strongly about this, I hope that the state chairs
will indulge me for a few paragraphs.

I believe that a major stumbling block on the road to success is the
lack of continuity which exists in *many* of our
state parties when new leaders are elected.  This is not a function of
who the new and retiring leaders are, so please
take no offense by this comment.  It is more a question of lost
knowledge and the need to assign mission-critical tasks
to new people -- often with inadequate documentation of established
procedures.

This changed in Illinois when we hired a full-time employee and charged
her with responsibility for most of the day-to-day,
mission-critical activities.  There is a long, long list of such
things.  This highly abbreviated list will give you some idea of
the things I am referring to:

1.  Processing all mail **promptly** (memberships, contributions,
inquiries, media requests, bills, EVERYTHING)

2.  Immediately recording all financial transactions (money in, bills
owed and paid, FEC or state filing reports)

3.  Answering the phone WHEN it rings, or responding to phone messages
VERY quickly -- particularly media contacts.

4.  Database maintenance

5.  Providing support to or organizing conventions, other events,
petition drives, etc. -- and being there 9 to 5 to deal
with whatever comes up regarding such things.

6.  Doing whatever is needed to get member newsletters out -- on time --
and looking professional

These are just a few of the things that a solid state party should
strive to achieve.  Illinois was able to afford a person of our
own to do these things, and it made a world of difference.  When the
full time person left, problems arose.  It underscored that
reliance on even the most reliable volunteers is no substitute for
having someone "on the hook" to get these things done.

I would encourage *every* affiliate party to strive to have someone
available full time to do these things -- on a PAID basis so
that there is accountability.  Some states can afford this;  most
cannot.  In those cases where a state cannot afford this, I would
suggest that states consider pooling their resources and sharing such a
person.  In this day of call forwarding, faxes, email, etc., it
is a simple matter to -- for example -- Colorado to hire a full time
persona and (by formula) share the costs and provide services
to other states -- MT, WY, UT, ID, NM, NE, KS???

TX might be able to share with OK, LA, AR MS??  Who knows until you talk
about it?

If you like this concept, I would suggest that you discuss it among
yourselves and come to the state chair's conference with the
notion in mind that you might try to band together in groups to hire staff.

It does not need to cost a lot of money to do this.  But if you have
someone full-time, you will be able to transition state party
leaders knowing that essential functions will continue to be performed
without missing a beat.

Just my thoughts,

Steve Givot
-LNC Secretary