Digest
Junteenth & Combating Purges
Democratic Municipal Officials Digest
Week of 6/15/2020
DMO Update
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We have upcoming state chapter calls for Maryland (1pm Wednesday) and Michigan (4pm Thursday). To join, or learn more about starting your own state chapter, email Christine.Senteno@NationalDMO.org.
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Couldn’t attend the first Municipal Mondays with Rep. Maxine Waters and Mayor Van Johnson? Stay on the lookout this summer for more Monday webinars featuring top Democrats, policy experts, and DMOs.
- Want to build the movement for water security? DMO now has a sample op-ed for you to publish in your local paper.
Quick Links
Ideas for Cities
News for Democrats
- Chaos In Primary Elections Raises Fears For November – Between COVID and intentional suppression efforts, Democrats need to be working now to protect the vote in November.
DMO Political Council Advice
Mark Schaur of Winning Connections
Telephone Town Halls: Safely Interacting with Constituents and Voters at Scale
As our country continues to adjust to life under Covid-19—coupled with nationwide protests over the police killing of George Floyd and racism in America— telephone town halls are an ideal tool to help elected leaders and candidates at all levels safely and conveniently communicate with constituents and voters at scale. Telephone town halls, essentially, are your own “radio call-in show,” controlled and moderated by you and your team. In the era of video conferencing, we’ve added a video livestream option to our traditional town halls, which place out-bound calls to a landline universe.
With the outbreak of the Coronavirus, Winning Connections-hosted telephone town halls are helping Democratic leaders engage in interactive conversations with constituents and voters at a time when in-person meetings are limited, if not impossible. The public is filled with uncertainty, and there is no better way to address their concerns and keep people informed than through live, interactive town halls.
During this period of social distancing and public wariness about “returning to normal,” we have seen an enormous surge in telephone town hall participation rates. And like the New York Times reported in April with the story “Surprising Poll Results: People Are Now Happy to Pick Up the Phone,” this isn’t a fluke. We are having longer conversations with more engaged voters who desire real conversations about the issues.
Winning Connections has facilitated telephone town halls this year for governors, mayors, U.S. senators, interest groups, and candidates. At this year’s Campaigns & Elections Reed Awards, Winning Connections took home the award for “Best Telephone Town Hall” for a town hall we ran for Planned Parenthood Advocates of Michigan which featured Governor Gretchen Whitmer. If you’d like to learn more, contact me at ms@winningconnections.com or (269) 209-3940.
Mark Schauer is a former Battle Creek (MI) City Commissioner, MI state Representative and Senate Minority Leader, Member of Congress (MI-07), and 2014 Democratic nominee for Governor.
Police Solutions & Obama’s Pledge
Democratic Municipal Officials Digest
Week of 6/8/2020
DMO Update
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We have upcoming state chapter calls for Ohio, Maryland, and Florida. To join, or learn more about starting your own state chapter, email Christine.Senteno@NationalDMO.org.
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The right to running water in DMO’s Water Security Campaign has been added to the HEROES Act, but only for the duration of the COVID-19 emergency. Call your representatives to demand permanent federal funding for water security.
- Want to build the movement for water security? DMO now has a sample op-ed for you to publish in your local paper.
Quick Links
- America’s Cities Were Designed to Oppress – From highways to hostile architecture, who was your city built for?
Ideas for Cities
- Thinking about a civilian police oversight board? Look to Seattle for their model.
- A Practical Guide to Defunding the Police – What do protestors mean when they say “defund the police”?
News for Democrats
- A call for mayors, city councils, and police oversight bodies to address police use of force policies – Take President Obama’s pledge.
Safer Protests & Real Change
Democratic Municipal Officials Digest
Week of 6/1/2020
DMO Update
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Join Mayors Against Illegal Guns and the Giffords group for a discussion on gun violence prevention during the DMO Policy Council call, Wednesday at 3pm ET / 12pm PT. Email Nils.Robbins@NationalDMO.org for dial in details.
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The right to running water in DMO’s Water Security Campaign has been added to the HEROES Act, but only for the duration of the COVID-19 emergency. Call your representatives to demand permanent federal funding for water security.
- We have a presumptive nominee, but primary season isn’t over yet. Help DMO Get Out The Vote on June 2nd and build momentum for November 3rd.
Quick Links
- Homeserve – Addressing New Challenges from COVID-19
Ideas for Cities
- Can science offer police a better way to handle protests? – When police show up to facilitate a safe protest, it protects police and demonstraters alike.
News for Democrats
- How to Make this Moment the Turning Point for Real Change – By former President Barack Obama
Pic of the Week
Job Losses & SNAP Online
Democratic Municipal Officials Digest
Week of 5/25/2020
DMO Update
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Keep water flowing to every home – Join the DMO Campaign for Water Security
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The right to running water has been added to the HEROES Act, but only for the duration of the COVID-19 emergency. Call your representatives to demand permanent federal funding for water security.
- We have a presumptive nominee, but primary season isn’t over yet. Help DMO Get Out The Vote on June 2nd and build momentum for November 3rd.
Quick Links
Ideas for Cities
- Join OpenGov on June 16th for a webinar on Maintaining Operations, Balancing Budgets, and Communicating Effectively in a Crisis
News for Democrats
- U.S. Could Have Saved 36,000 Lives If Social Distancing Started 1 Week Earlier – Keep that number in mind when pressured to reopen your city before it’s safe.
Pic of the Week
As deaths from coronavirus reach 100,000, cities must stand firm in enforcing social distancing policy.
HEROES Act & Lost Revenue
Democratic Municipal Officials Digest
Week of 5/18/2020
DMO Update
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Keep water flowing to every home – Join the DMO Campaign for Water Security
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The right to running water has been added to the HEROES Act, but only for the duration of the COVID-19 emergency. Add your name to the campaign above and make that security permanent.
- We have a presumptive nominee, but primary season isn’t over yet. Help DMO Get Out The Vote on June 2nd and build momentum for November 3rd.
Quick Links
Advisory Board Spotlights
Ideas for Cities
News for Democrats
- Sign up for DemList. As the Convention draws near, stay connected to the latest Democratic Party news and upcoming events.
Tenant Protection & Unacceptable Losses
Democratic Municipal Officials Digest
Week of 5/11/2020
DMO Update
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Keep water flowing to every home – Join the DMO Campaign for Water Security
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Organize your state before November. Attend the DMO Council of State Chapters call, this Friday at 4pm ET / 1pm PT. Email Christine.Senteno@NationalDMO.
org for details.
- DMO is standing with essential city workers. We have signed on to this SEIU letter calling on additional resources for the people keeping our cities running during COVID-19. You can still add your name today by emailing abe.silk@seiu.org.
Quick Links
Ideas for Cities
News for Democrats
DCCC Action & Reopening Guidance
Democratic Municipal Officials Digest
Week of 5/4/2020
DMO Update
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Keep water flowing to every home – Join the DMO Campaign for Water Security
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Join Political Council Member Josh Nanberg for two webinars this week. The first with DMO Board Member Wendy Davis for a conversation on telephone town halls during COVID (Tuesday 4pm ET), and the second with Political Council Member Beth Becker for her insights on social media management (Thursday 5pm ET).
- Are the other Democrats on your council members of DMO? Make sure your peers sign up at NationalDMO.org/join to get connected to Democratic Party resources before the Convention.
Quick Links
- Homeserve – Leadership During Coronavirus
- Former Auburn City Councilmember Bill Peloza dies – Read the writeup of Bill’s time on Council from late last year
Ideas for Cities
- ICSC Guidance on Reopening – Take these steps to keep local businesses safe
News for Democrats
- What Reopening Georgia Might Really Be About – States likely do not have to pay unemployment for poeple who refuse to return to unsafe workplaces
- The DCCC Virtual Action Center – Call on your constituents to preserve our Congressional majority
DMO Political Council Advice
Zach Mandelblatt of Compete Everywhere
| It’s a great time to communicate with voters and constituents through Digital
Digital ads are bought through a giant, real-time auction, and COVID has produced a combination of “Higher Supply” (more people stuck at home on the internet) and “Less Demand” (advertisers are pulling their budgets back due to economic uncertainty). That presents an opportunity for campaigns and governing entities to communicate with voters and constituents at an even lower cost than usual. See the graph below – we are paying over 40% less to buy ad inventory for voter file targeted Facebook ads than we were before COVID.
See this attachment for more information on the COVID PSA we are running for this client. |
Water Security & Eviction Relief
Democratic Municipal Officials Digest
Week of 4/27/2020
DMO Update
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Keep water flowing to every home – Join the DMO Campaign for Water Security
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Join DMO Illinois at 10am this Thursday for our monthly State Chapter call. (Now in Zoom Meeting). Email Christine.Senteno@NationalDMO.
org for details.
- Are the other Democrats on your council members of DMO? Make sure your peers sign up at NationalDMO.org/join to get connected to Democratic Party resources before the Convention.
Quick Links
- US stores and supermarkets might see shortages for the next year and a half, supply chain experts say – Prevent panic by letting constituents know to expect minor, but temporary shortages of certain items.
- What Happens When Eviction Moratoriums Are Over? – New York City helps prevent evictions by providing direct assistance to landlords whose tenants can’t make rent.
Ideas for Cities
News for Democrats
- Trump’s new campaign app gamifies voter outreach – Democrats can’t afford to take it easy against Trump.
DMO Political Council Advice
Russ Swindell of Public Policy Polling
| I hope you and your family are doing well and staying healthy as we all adjust to our new living and working situations. As we head into this uncertain time in campaigning, I wanted to make sure you had PPP’s most recent pricing on hand as you work to understand this new electoral and issue landscape. If it is helpful to talk through any research needs that you have, we are always willing to do that, and you can book a meeting here: Link to book a meeting on my calendar .
As we do more and more texting this year, we are encouraging clients to do more polls with calls and texts. Most projects still come out around $6,000. Our IVR only surveys generally start at $3,000 for 5 questions plus demographics, and go up from there depending on the number of additional questions, whether it is a primary or general election, the geographic area being polled, and larger than standard sample sizes. We are also now offering texting to cell phones as a supplement to automated telephone polling. We strongly recommend this for effectively reaching younger voters and voters in urban areas. At an additional cost of only $2,500, it allows us to reach cell phone-only voters and still keep your project under $6,000. When you need other modes, we also offer online panels and live calls to cell phones to supplement automated telephone calls, each at an additional cost. The attached pricing guide provides more details. Please contact me if you have any questions or need a quote for a project. Russ Russ Swindell 919-800-1102 |
Medical Workers & Astroturf Protests
Democratic Municipal Officials Digest
Week of 4/20/2020
DMO Update
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Stay in touch with workforce news. Join the DMO Labor Council call this Thursday at 1:30pm ET / 10:30am PT. Dial 202-869-1474.
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Join the DMO New Jersey State Chapter call this Friday at 5:30pm ET, and our first DMO Michigan call this Thursday at 6pm ET. Contact Christine.Senteno@NationalDMO.
org for details.
- Are the other Democrats on your council members of DMO? Make sure your peers sign up at NationalDMO.org/join to get connected to Democratic Party resources before the Convention.
Quick Links
- 5 lessons on social distancing from the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic – When cities tried to end social distancing early, the results were devastating.
Ideas for Cities
News for Democrats
- U.S. Senators Propose $500 Billion Rescue for State, Local Governments – Read the AFL-CIO letter to Congressional leaders on what workers need right now
Pic of the Week
Nurses stand up against protestors who want to reopen public spaces before COVID-19 is contained.
DMO Political Council Advice
Anthony Robinson of the National Democratic Training Committee
| Here are the top three pieces of advice from the National Democratic Training Committee’s Virtual Live Trainings:
1. Be Bold: The solutions to the problems our country is facing are political. The leaders making decisions are how this crisis ballooned to present. The only way to prevent it from getting worse and from happening again is to change who make the decisions at local, state and federal levels. That’s you. That’s your campaign. Don’t be timid. Our families are counting on you. 2. Be Empathetic: Learn from our opponents and use emotion to empower people to give you what you need to make the change we all want. Times are tough for a lot of people, but again – see my previous point – the way out is through and to change who makes the decision. 3. Ask for what you need: Votes, volunteer time and money. Don’t shy away from the ask. If someone can’t give because they lost a job or medical reasons, ask how you an help. Ask what they think the government should do. Engage them. Help them. The fear of getting a “no” should not stop you from doing what you need to do to win your campaign. Your country, your community, your family, my family all need you more than ever. Additionally, here are some of the new offerings we will be presenting for local leaders coming up soon.
Here is the link for our RESUME BANK of Staff Academy graduates past and present that are looking for jobs. It is updated regularly so you will have the current list. |
Grocers & Small Business Relief
Democratic Municipal Officials Digest
Week of 4/13/2020
DMO Update
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What do you need? Let DMO know how we can continue providing you the information and resources you need to get your city through the coronavirus outbreak.
- Are the other Democrats on your council members of DMO? Make sure your peers sign up at NationalDMO.org/join to get connected to Democratic Party resources before the Convention.
Quick Links
Ideas for Cities
News for Democrats
Political Council Advice
Stephanie Mellinger from Mellinger Group on Fundraising
| We’ve gotten a lot of questions recently around maintaining the right balance between focusing on upcoming elections, which includes fundraising, and helping our fellow Americans through the pandemic. To fundraise or not to fundraise right now isn’t an easy decision and while every situation is slightly different, below are some general rules we recommend.
If… Your election isn’t this year. Now isn’t the time to ask for money. Instead, this is an opportunity to connect or re-connect on a personal level with your contributors, constituents, neighbors, friends, etc. and provide the support and resources people need to survive the upcoming weeks and months. We can’t think of a better way to showcase your leadership abilities, either as an elected official or as a candidate. You’re an elected official running this year: If you’re an executive, your focus should be on running your jurisdiction well, while connecting constituents to the resources they need, keeping people informed, and mitigating the spread of the virus. We recommend contacting some of your staunchest supporters and fundraisers and asking them to serve as your fundraising surrogates. Your attention should be on helping people; your supporters can call and email their networks and your past supporters to ask for money on your behalf (tips for doing so are in our recent blog post) If you’re a legislator, you can, and should, call and email your personal networks, previous supporters, and most PACs and lobbyists. (Use your judgement here. I wouldn’t, for example, ask the Restaurant Association for funds right now.) Asking people you haven’t met or don’t know is not a good direction right now either, unless a supporter has set up a solicitation call on your behalf. You can use this time to build new connections and get to know prospects, but in most circumstances, we wouldn’t recommend soliciting those individuals until a later date. We’ve written a blog post with more details on the best methods to use for fundraising during these times. If you’d like to have a personal consultation with us or are interested in a personalized Zoom training for yourself or your campaign team, please reach out to us at 410-727-0501 or stephanie@mellingergroup.com. |