Goal 2:    Recruit and elect candidates for all elected positions in Hanover

I) Build an internal structure for political action.

a. Form a standing committee

b. Standing committee to propose policies to recruit candidates for local offices

c. Monitor government activities

d. Develop comparison campaign literature in support of candidates.

II) Identify, recruit, offer training and support to all Democratic candidates for:

a. Board of Supervisors

b. Constitutional officers

c. Delegate in the 55th and 97th Districts

d. State Senator in the 4th District

e. Other elections not covered above

For each of the above elections, prepare a timeline and other operational plans as needed to achieve the following goals:

a. Identifying  potential candidates,

b. Recruiting a candidate,

c. Training the campaign team,

d. Supporting the campaign.

III) Maintain an effective Democratic precinct organization throughout Hanover County.

a. Locate and elect active District Chairs for each District.

b. Create an effective working team environment through socials and meetings.

c. Have District Chairs appoint Precinct Captains in each of their districts.

d. Encourage Precinct Captains to build a team of volunteers to assist in all aspects of Democratic campaigns.

e. Encourage team meetings within each district.

f. Train District Chairs on effective poll work and district organization.

Goal 3: Increase active membership

I) Re-engage past members.

a. Ask District Chairs to call past members to attend any event that is organized by the HDC.

b. District Chairs will review new members resulting from events to find suitable volunteers.

c. Review past membership lists and e-blast list with a view to re-engage past members by:

i. Having District Chairs form phone banks to contact past members;

ii. Update the lists with current information;

iii. Send them membership forms by mail and email.

II) Solicit prospective members.

a. While Virginia does not register voters under party affiliation, the VAN will show who has voted in a Democratic primary.

b. Ask District Chairs to search the VAN for Democrats living in Hanover County who are not members of HDC.

i. Have District Chairs form phone banks to contact prospective members;

ii. Send them membership forms by mail and email.

III) Increase membership of under-represented groups.

a. Appoint a Chair for Latino Outreach and formulate strategy for reaching the Latino community in Hanover County.

b. Appoint a Chair for African American Outreach and formulate strategy for reaching the African American community in Hanover County.

IV) Meeting Reminder

a. Send last minute e-blast reminder about meetings, and within each district, District Chairs should set up a system to call members to remind them of the meeting. District Chairs may want to consider setting up a phone tree.

V) Create a strategy to attract African American including:

a. Advocacy:

i. Raise awareness of issues /concerns affecting the African American and other minority groups such as, higher education and health.

ii. Encourage specific policies that make a difference in the lives of African Americans and other minorities.

b. Leadership:

i. Encourage and support African Americans participation in leadership positions of the HDC and community boards.

c. Recruitment:

i. Plan activities that attract the 18-40 year old (generational gap).

ii. Increase the number of registered African American and other minority voters.

VI) Create a strategy to attract young voters and future voters including:

a. Reach out to Randolph Macon College; determine the status of the Young Democrats Club there; if needed, help re-start the YDC there; involve them in HDC;

b. Contact government teachers at Hanover high schools. Invite government students to attend HDC meetings. If interest exists and school support is available, re-establish Young Democrats clubs at Hanover high schools.

c. Keep high school members engaged after the elections with social meetings, meeting held in the afternoons, and with specific assignments/activities.

VII) Increase voter registration among Hanover Democrats.

a. Investigate means for increasing voter registration among all groups, with special focus on 18-year-old/new voters, African American voters, and Latino voters.

Goal 4:    Create visibility/presence in Hanover County and beyond

I)   Brand identification and clarification

a. Adopt look, slogan, typeface to make HDC readily identifiable to public, media and HDC members

b. Consider ongoing signs and bumper stickers that identify HDC membership.

II)  Work with media and local papers to attract new members

a. Put notice in calendars of the Mechanicsville Local and Herald Progress for all HDC-sponsored events;

b. Place ads in both local papers for all HDC-sponsored events;

c. Send news releases/photos to get coverage for all HDC-sponsored events and any other items of interest such as electing or installing new officers.

III) Create three-year “Call Out” Campaign and propose it to the membership:

a. Single out Republican elected officials and highlight how they affect and impact the people of Hanover;

b. Co-ordinate with other neighboring Democratic committees to help fund this campaign.

IV) Conduct awareness campaign for midterm election.

a. This includes publicity, voter calls and canvassing. Midterm elections are a good preparation for statewide and national elections, and keep the Democratic electorate engaged.

V) Make HDC’s presence felt in opportunistic ways

a. Put a sign up at Ashland Coffee and Tea prior to each meeting

b. Depending on available funding, consider HDC sample ballots, bumper stickers … Join Us Campaign, etc.

VI) Participate in community events as a committee

a. Form a Community Events committee

b. Organize HDC participation in things like Relay for Life, Habitat, food drives, etc.

Goal 5:    Raise funds as needed for HDC operations

I)   Raise sufficient funds to meet financial obligations and maintain a minimum $1,000 bank account balance.

II)  Devise and plan an annual signature fund-raising event to include VIP privileges to large donors.

III) Identify fund-raising time frames and event types

a. Plan and execute low-cost fund-raising events;

b. Include a silent auction at the annual Pancake Breakfast;

c. Hold a yard sale in Spring/Summer;

d. Hold a key event with one or two speakers followed by a wine and cheese reception

IV) Investigate starting a “forum” sponsored by the HDC.

V)  Within legal limits, effectively use databases to identify potential donors and solicit pledges for monthly, quarterly or yearly amounts.

Goal 6:    Improve the HDC web site

I)   Work with Vice Chairs of Outreach and Fundraising to help make the HDC website more user-friendly:

a. Review the web site to hook potential members and current members;

b. Post pre- and post-meeting news;

c. Review District Chair information and update;

d. Create online fund raising campaign for continuous donations to the HDC.

II)  Add new content weekly.

III) Add links to things we like.

IV) Create an interactive discussion capability on the web site in which postings will be cleared by a moderator before they appear on the site.

Goal 7:    Develop a more effective HDC information system

I)   Become informed about the capabilities and limitations of VAN.

II)  Train on and use VAN to meet HDC needs.

III) Explore developing our own HDC database.

Goal 8:    Encourage participation in DPVA events and training

I)  Suggest to membership to attend JJ dinner

II) Participate in meetings organized during DPVA quarterly meetings.