GPCA Budget FY2011-2012 Expense Narrative

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0. INTRODUCTION

The GPCA's FY2011-2012 Budget occurs amidst during a deep national and international economic crisis that became manifest in October of 2008. That crisis has made it challenging for non-profit organizations and other not-for-profit entities like the GPCA that survive primarily or exclusively on grassroots donations and fundraising. The economic crisis also came on the heels of the politically difficult period for the Green Party when it suffered the blowback of being blamed for the 2000 Bush presidency. Combined its own internal self-inflicted wounds over 2004 presidential strategy and other internal divisions, the cumulative effect of those trends led to a significant downturn in GPCA fundraising compared to the growth period the party experienced at the beginning of the last decade.

In FY2011-2012, prospects are looking up for the GPCA. The political climate is favorable in light of a disappointing Obama administration combined with a far right fringe Tea Party movement on the federal level, combined with the lack of real answers by either Democrats or Republicans to the structural problems of our state. At the same time internally within the Green Party, there has been a growth in new activists interested in becoming involved, along with a return by many long time party activists.

With this potential, the GPCA FY2011-2012 Budget seeks to establish a baseline of core expenses to ensure the maintenance of the party's basic, ongoing operations, based upon the same minimal level of fundraising experienced in the last few years, along with a plan to invest in growth opportunities that would bring in more money to fund more organizing. This Budget also seeks to establish a manner in which increased revenue will be dedicated to additional organizing in a predictable, transparent manner that will minimize the need for mid-year discretionary choices by either the General Assembly or the Coordinating Committee, yet correspond realistically to expected cash flow and political deadlines, along with provide enough flexibility to adapt to unpredictable circumstances.

On the income side, the FY2011-20122 Budget contains a plan to raise up to $163,750 -- with $60,500 projected between May and September 2011 and $103,250 between October 2011 and April 2012. The plan would expand the GPCA's fundraising capability by hiring a fundraiser to manage a fundraising campaign, along with creating a new GPCA contact relationship management (CRM) database to ensure high quality management functions such as donation tracking and GPCA supporter communications.

1. BYLAWS COMMITTEE (T-1 $0, T-2 $100, T-3 $200)

There was no FY2011-12 budget request submitted by the Bylaws Committee and there are no active members on the Bylaws Committee. In FY2010-11 $100 was budgeted and not spent for the Bylaws Committee. The FY2011-12 budget sets aside $100 for Tier II and $200 for Tier III in the event that the Coordinating Committee makes appointments to the Bylaws Committee and the Bylaws Committee submits a work plan to cover the use of the funds.

2. CAMPAIGNS & CANDIDATES WORKING GROUP (CCWG)

Tiered approach to budget for CCWG due to contingency of success of Marnie Glickmans's Green2012, first stage voter database set-up, analysis, and outreach to raise funding. Tier 1: worst case scenario, minimum funding needed Tier 2: moderate success, moderate funding requested Tier 3: best case scenario, funding appropriate to successful fundraising


GENERAL GOALS OF CCWG 2011 / 2012 • Continue to meet via teleconference every 2nd Wednesday of the month. • Continue to discuss ongoing issues relating to our mandate via email. • Maintain updated and useful CCWG webpage. • Create documented set of criteria to use when considering candidate funding recommendations • Determine which ONE candidate questionnaire to use as standard, or create a new one. • Recruit new Campaign Fund Support Committee, AND IF THEY DO NOT CONVENE, SEEKS STEPS TO CHANGE OUR BYLAWS TO DISSOLVE THE COMMITTEE REQUIREMENT THEREBY REVERTING THE RESPONSIBILTY OF FUNDING ALLOCATIONS BACK TO CCWG. • Recruit new CCWG Co-Coordinators, as the current term(s) are over as of March 2012. • Recruit potential candidates and make certain they are endorsed by their local for funding purposes. • Provide tools, resources, training, and funding recommendations for candidates. • Conduct County Polling during State Proposition cycle. • Keep informed and share information regarding status of Proposition 14 legality and repercussions if not over-turned. • Continue to work with GROW, Media, IT, and ByLaws Committee(s) to improve GPCA. • Participate in on-going Stragetic Planning with GPCA as a whole.


APRIL THROUGH JUNE 2011 • Assess the success of Marnie Glickman's Green2012 Proposal implementation pertaining to use and results of the CAVoterConnect data management system. • Launch candidate recruiting drive, training for candidates, and assist in voter registration drive launch at Plenary. • Stay in communication with GPUS Delegates as to names for Presidental Primary. • Consider creating a Candidate Sustainer Form for neighborhood canvassing. • Continue to work with other committees on improving GPCA. • Assist in formation of Personnel Policy as it relates to this working group. • Continue assessment of Prop 14 status. • Continue to work on the GPCA Strategic Action Plan.

JULY THROUGH SEPTEMBER 2011 • Continue candidate recruitment and training, Deadline for filing is March 9, 2012. • Make certain that the Candidate Fund Support Committee is in process of formation. • Make certain we have created and have documented a set of criteria for CCWG to use in its funding support recommendations on behalf of candidates. • Propose types of and trainors for Candidate and Campaign related training sessions at Stragetic Gathering to be held in Ventura in (potentially) August. • Continue assessment of Marnie Glickman's Green2012 Proposal(s). • Form and propose any CCWG break-out sessions for Fall / Winter Plenary • Start recruiting new Co-Cos for CCWG • Continue communication with GPUS regarding status of Presidential nominee(s) process. • Continue assessment of Prop 14 status. • Continue to work on the GPCA Strategic Action Plan.

OCTOBER THROUGH DECEMBER 2011 • Continue candidate recruitment throughout the Fall. • Make certain that either the Campaign Fund Support Committee or CCWG is in consistent contact with Candidates and following through with THE Questionnaire and following the criteria established for endorsing / funding candidates. • Create various means and tools for candidate training and support. • Continue assessment of Prop 14 status. • Continue communication with GPUS regarding status of Presidential nominee(s) process. • Continue working on the GPCA Strategic Action Plan. • Start working on goals for CCWG next WorkPlan & Budget. • Continue assessment of Marnie Glickman's Green2012 Proposal • Continue assist in creating Personnel Policy.

JANUARY THROUGH MARCH 2012 • Start working on the new WorkPlan and Budget. • Continue candidate recruitment and training. • Form and propose any CCWG break-out sessions for the Spring Plenary • Continue assessment of Prop 14 status. • Continue communication with GPUS regarding status of Presidential nominee(s) process. • Continue working with other committees to improve GPCA. • Continue assessment of Marnie Glickman's Green2012 Proposal • Continue assist in creating Personnel Policy if still applicable. • Continue working on the GPCA Strategic Action Plan.


- Campaign Support Fund Tier 1: $5,000 Tier 2: $10,000 Tier 3: $20,000 - Strategy Meetings/Retreats - Candidate Training Sessions - Copying for meetings - Teleconference Reimbursements - Co-Cos Retreat Travel/Lodging - Voter Database Project 

   (Subtotal CCWG)

- Campaign Support Fund Tier II - Field Organizer Tier II Volunteer recruitment, volunteer coordination and administrative support (Field organizer) Tier 1: $0.00 Tier 2: $1,200 Tier 3: $3,600

- Campaign training/consulting for candidates, staff, volunteers (Executive director) Tier 1: $0.00 Tier 2: $1,200 Tier 3: $3,600

- Voter file database management (Executive director)

Voter file database management (Executive director) Tier 1: $0.00 Tier 2: $1,200 Tier 3: $3,600

- Miscellaneous Operational Expenses

Misc Operational Expenses Tier 1: $0.00 Tier 2: $100 Tier 3: $200 

   (Subtotal CCWG Tier II)

- Campaign Support Fund Tier III

- Field Organizer Tier III Volunteer recruitment, volunteer coordination and administrative support (Field organizer) Tier 1: $0.00 Tier 2: $1,200 Tier 3: $3,600

- Campaign training/consulting for candidates, staff, volunteers (Executive director) - Voter file database management (Executive director)


Voter file database software: (non-tiered) $3,600

  • due to a contractual agreement with CAVoterConnect, this is required spending.

- Miscellaneous Operational Expenses

Misc Operational Expenses Tier 1: $0.00 Tier 2: $100 Tier 3: $200 

   (Subtotal CCWG Tier III)

- Executive Director

Campaign training/consulting for candidates, staff, volunteers (Executive director) Tier 1: $0.00 Tier 2: $1,200 Tier 3: $3,600


- Field Director - Online Director 

   (Green 2012)

3. CLEARINGHOUSE COMMITTEE (T-1 $1,860, T-2 $2,200, T-3 $1,200)

No FY2011-12 budget request was submitted by the Clearinghouse Committee. There are no active members on the Clearinghouse Committee. In FY2010-11 $2,510 was budgeted and $1,110 was spent on clearinghouse related expenses. In lieu of a committee request, the FY2011-12 budget contains $1,000 for Tier I, $2,000 for Tier II and an additional $1,000 for Tier III for merchandise expenses for t-shirts, buttons, stickers, bilingual materials and shopping bags. An equivalent income projection for these amounts is provided in the income narrative. In addition there is $550 in Tier I for the phone and $110 in Tier I for the post office box, and $200 for each tier for shipping, that presumably would correspond to the increase in each Tier in merchandise.

One of the associated resolutions that recommended for approval in conjunction with the FY2011-2012 budget is that the party adopt a standard prioritization of the party's core operating expenses and legal obligations. Paying for the phone and post office box are among those highest prioritizations.

4. COORDINATING COMMITTEE (T-1 $1,950, T-2 $1,075)

The Coordinating Committee FY2011-2012 budget contains standard annual costs associated with party insurance, GPCA general assemblies and the operation of the Coordinating Committee. Tier I includes $1,150 for insurance and $750 for note taking at the general assemblies. It also budgets $4,500 to cover the expenses of hosting the general assemblies and projects an equivalent income of $4,500 from registration fees to pay for them. Tier II includes $700 for Plenary Administration (THIS NEEDS CLARIFICATION BY THE CC AS TO WHAT THIS IS SPECIFICALLY FOR) and $300 for a Coordinating Committee retreat. Such retreats have been held in many but not all past years.

5. ELECTORAL REFORM WORKING GROUP (T-2 $100)

No FY2011-12 budget request was submitted by the Electoral Reform Working Group. In FY2010-11 $200 was budgeted and not spent for the Electoral Reform Working Group. The FY2011-12 budget sets aside $200 for Tier II in the event that the Electoral Reform Working Group submits a work plan to the Coordinating Committee to cover the use of the funds.

6. FINANCE COMMITTEE 

 Fundraising Coordinator
 FPPC Software 
 Mail house
 Bulk mail permit
 Prospect Mailings
 Printing
 Postage
   (Subtotal Finance Committee)
 Prospect Mailings Tier II
 Donor Mailing Coordinator  Tier II
 Treasurer  Tier II
 Treasurer Assistant  Tier II
   (Subtotal Finance Committee Tier II)
Fundraising events, donor prospecting materials, postage and travel costs
   (Green 2012)

TREASURER (no FY2011-12 budget draft submitted) 

 Bank Charges
 Data Entry Assistance
 Legal
 Merchant Fees
 Post Office Box
 Postage
 Printing
 Software
   (Subtotal Treasurer)


There is a fee that we pay each year for the software to file with FPPC. It is true that FPPC has free on-line software. If the GPCA chooses to use the free software, in which each donation has to be listed by scratch, then you will definitely have to find another treasurer. Craftware, our software vender, gives us a special discounted price, which has remained $1250 for some time. That is 50% of the regular price.

7. GREEN ISSUES WORKING GROUP (T-II $1,500, T-III $2,000)

There was no FY2011-12 budget request submitted by the Green Issues Working Group. In FY2010-11 $500 was budgeted and not spent. The FY2011-12 budget contains $1,000 in Tier II and $2,000 in Tier III for "Coalition Building/Project Initiatives" and $500 in Tier II for "Misc/General Office." This funding is contingent upon mid-year budget amendment by the General Assembly, if and when the Green Issues Working Group submits a work plan to explain these expenses.

8. GRASSROOTS ORGANIZING WORKING GROUP (GROW) 

 Green Focus
  Green Focus Bulk Postage 
  Green Focus Printing & Shipping
 Registration support (Old " Voter Registration Drive")
 Volunteer Coordinator
 County Council Support
 County Organization Grant Program
County State fundraising (Prospect Mailings)
 Campus Greens
 Diversity Outreach
 Rural Outreach
 General Grow Funding (Old "Additional Printing")
   (Subtotal GROW)
Organizing and Voter Registration Materials
Organizing and Voter Registration Organizers
   (Subtotal GROW-related Green 2012)

9. INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY GROUP (T-I $1,500, T-II $2,000)

The IT FY2011-2012 budget contains standard annual Tier I expenses of $660 for Server Hosting ($55/month) and $240 for Server Backup Service ($20/month). Approval of the associated resolution would authorize that the GPCA continue to use Godmoma Forge, LLC for serving hosting and the Green Internet Society for Server Backup Services. One of the associated resolutions recommended for approval in conjunction with the FY2011-2012 budget is that the party adopt a standard prioritization of the party's core operating expenses and legal obligations. Paying for the server hosting and backup among those highest prioritizations.

The IT FY2011-2012 budget also contains Tier II expenses of $5000 for web redesign/content management system installation/miscellaneous projects. However there was no work plan submitted for these expenses and the question of what should be done with something as public as the GPCA's web site needs to be considered by more than a small number of GPCA members.

10. INTERNATIONAL PROTOCOL COMMITTEE ($0)

There was no FY2011-12 budget request submitted by the International Protocol Committee. There are no active members of the committee and there have been one in recent years. No funds are included in the FY2011-12 budget for this committee.

11. MEDIA COMMITTEE


Mission The Green Party of California Media Standing Committee seeks to promote and foster a positive image of the GPCA through media channels. We particularly want to increase our presence in online social media (facebook, twitter, etc.), but will continue to seek coverage in print and broadcast media. The Media Standing Committee seeks to garner the attention of and gain credibility with the mainstream and alternative media. The Media Committee issues press releases and provides spokespersons to help get the Green Party message out to the public through the media. Objectives A. Research, write, solicit, edit and distribute press releases, advisories, op-eds, letters, articles, social networking sites, blog posts and press kits for media outlets in California. a. press releases will usually be written or edited by the GPCA Press Secretary b. draft releases may also be submitted to the Media Committee by any registered Green; such a release will then be subjected to our Committee's editing and/or approval process: press releases require 2 persons to approve the release before dissemination. Current authorized approvers are Erika McDonald, Lisa Taylor, Bert Heuer, Mike Feinstein, Wes Rolley, Hank Chapot and any GPCA spokesperson, which includes Laura Wells, Chapot, Feinstein, Derek Iversen and Susan King c. any registered Green may seek the advice of the Media Committee on where to place an op-ed/article written about any given issue; these are not subject to approval unless the op-ed/article claims to explicitly speak for the GPCA d. press releases submitted by Media Committee members shall be posted to our Committee's list serve for editing/approval e. press releases submitted by registered Greens not active in the Media Committee shall be submitted to a Media Committee Co-Coordinator and/or Press Secretary f. the Media Committee may also solicit press releases/op-eds/articles by requesting that a Green "issue expert", official, or candidate write a draft g. distribution of press releases via fax and/or email; this duty will typically be performed by our Press Secretary, but media committee members and local GP media contacts are welcome to assist with distribution and add contacts to our distribution list. B. Promote Green blogs such as California Greening and green social networking sites such as GreenChange.org. C. Post thoughts on the news of the day/week/month on the cagreens.org home page. Use a Twitter account for the Green Party of California for microblogging. D. Build relationships with editors and reporters through phone and personal contact with our spokespeople, media committee members, press secretary and local media contacts E. Organize press conferences and media events as needed F. Provide resources, training and support to local GP media contacts and candidates; this may include advising local Green candidates about media relations by phone and/or in person; participating in candidate training workshops; providing media lists to candidates and local Green Party chapters G. Maintain effective Media Committee organization; conduct quarterly (at least) conference calls; post press releases and articles on the web site at cagreens.org. H. Recruit and develop spokespeople for the Green Party of California.


The Media Committee acknowledge monies are not yet available to fund the bulk of the Visibility Campaign – which is crucial to our fundraising, voter registration, candidates and overall visibility – and will be willing to adjust spending as the monies become available.

- Fax & email distribution - Phone & fax allowance - Press Secretary/Communications Director Compensation and Expenses - $3600

Press Secretary compensation and office allowance: $300 monthly, the same as 2010-11, and nearly half what was charged in 4 previous years: includes phone/fax distribution costs, travel and misc. expenses. In addition to writing and disseminating news releases statewide, and coordinating media for GPCA, NEW additional duties will include: Writing, creation, design and coordination of the GPCA fundraising appeals (in conjunction with Finance Committee) and writing, editing and design of Green Focus, and scripting and production responsibility for "Visibility Campaign" as noted below. Press Secretary will also be lending his assistance to GPCA candidates on statewide, and local ballots, including helping formulate all earned and paid media strategic planning, writing and disseminating releases when possible.

- Green Party Visibility Campaign (Television and Video Spots) $25,000

This project will benefit the party in its presence to the voting public, which will assist GPCA candidates, fundraising and major donor campaigns and a plan to launch a massive voter registration drive. The 15 and 30 second television spots – to run on CNN, Headline News, MNBC and other cable networks - will be placed in strategic geographic areas, and will seek to take advantage of voter apathy with the current Dem and GOP parties. It will reinforce the GPCA name, enabling us to raise more monies, register more voters and expose our candidates and campaigns to the voter. The spots/ads could also be used as active content for our online presence. We spent $3,300 in 2010-11 on this program. 

LENGTH OF AD: 15-30 second spots.
WHO: Comcast Cable (they have active advertising programs unlike Direct TV, etc.)
WHAT SHOW: Recommend targeting as follows:
• News Shows (regular voters): CNN, Headline News, Fox News, MSNBC, etc.)
• Shows for people of color (varies)
• Shows for those who are Dems but should be Greens: Comedy Channel, etc.
FREQUENCY: What we run is based entirely on budget.
MARKETS: Suggest 2-3 zones in SF Bay Area, LA, Sacramento, and others as strategy dictates. We could focus on zones where we have, or will have, active voter registration efforts and/or viable candidates around this.
SMALLER MARKETS: We could, in above and in smaller markets, work a deal with local Greens in any market - the state will pay HALF of the cost of  running the spots if matched by locals. This would work well in rejuvenating counties.
COSTS: Depends on zones. SF zones (there are at least 8 in the Bay Area) cost as little as $5 per 30 second spot for prime-time CNN (the most  expensive of the news shows. Average probably about $15-20 per :30 spot. *We could double our buys by having a shorter : 15 second spot. It  increases frequency but not the cost. - which I believe we could do with this campaign
TOTAL BUY: $25,000 could hit most of California, especially the coast, inland, SoCal and NoCal, including Sacramento (which would reach political  reporters, etc. at the Capitol). We could also do a SPECIAL MAILING to our donor list to pay for all or part of it and use that for a second round.
ADDITIONAL: When we put together the campaigns we should be able to get free media (example: In Alameda recently 5 TV stations, radio, etc. covered the unveiling of a spot where the total buy was only $800).

- Online Media Advertising

3. $5,000 Green Party Visibility Campaign - Online. Similar to the television campaign, this budget item will do much as the same but will be focused only on online advertising, such as Google and Facebook. Work Plan 2011-12


- CMS System - Letters to Elected Officials/Candidates - Videotapes - Backdrop for Press Conferences - Teleconference Expenses - GPUS List Service 

 (Workshops)
   (Subtotal Media)

BUDGET LINE ITEMS: Donations to campaigns

12. GPUS DELEGATION (T-I $3,000)

The Platform Committee FY2011-2012 budget contains $3,000 in Tier I for travel and registration subsidies for GPUS delegates to attend the GPUS Annual National Meeting, scheduled this year for Alfred, New York, August 5th-7th (http://nygreenfest.org/). If any of these funds are not used, it will be clear by August.

13. PLATFORM STANDING COMMITTEE (T-I $200, T-II $300)

The Platform Committee FY2011-2012 budget contains $200 in Tier I for printing platform updates. The platform reserves hold 258 copies of full 2002 platforms, 258 copies of the 2005 addendum to the full platform, 158 copies of the 2006 platform summaries, 545 copies of the 2008 platform summaries, and 800 copies of the Addendum to the 2008 Platform Summary. The Platform Committee projects that 258 copies of updated full platforms should be sufficient in the form of 258 updates from 2005-2011 at a cost of $200. that the 2002 platforms would need a page indicating which planks in the 2002 platforms were revised and where to find them in the updates, and that his alternative is much less expensive than getting 258 full 2011 platforms as one volume.

The Platform Committee FY2011-2012 budget contains $200 in Tier II for IT costs for platform updates and $100 for transport to a Platform Committee retreat. THE PLATFORM COMMITTEE HAS NOT SPECIFIED TO WHOM THE IT COSTS WOULD BE PAID.

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