Difference between revisions of "GPCA Budget FY2011-2012 Expense Narrative"

Revision as of 10:09, 19 April 2011

0. INTRODUCTION

The FY2011-2012 Budget establishes 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 establishes 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.

The FY2011-2012 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 FY2011-2012 income projections are higher than in the past because we are taking a new tactical approach by hiring experienced staff to manage a fundraising campaign, conducting major donor solicitations, designing online fundraising campaigns and investing in prospect direct mail and telemarketing. We are also investing in 21st century technological tools to help us raise money more efficiently and effectively like creating a new GPCA contact relationship management (CRM) database to ensure high quality management functions such as donation tracking and GPCA supporter communications

We are using a three tiered approach in the FY2011-2012 Budget.

The tier 1 budget is the basic operating expenses of GPCA and the required initial costs to launch our statewide voter registration drive and Green 2012. Basic operating expenses include essential party operations like paying for our PO box, insurance and FPPC filing software. The required initial costs for our statewide voter registration drive and Green 2012 include paying a consultant to help us fundraise, recruit, train and mobilize volunteers, upgrade our website, build a statewide contact management database and virtual phone banking to our voter file.

The tier 2 budget is the second phase of Green 2012. The key new expenditure in the Tier 2 budget is hiring an Executive Director. Tier 2 budget will automatically begin when the income total for Tier 1 (INSERT AMOUNT) is raised. The Tier 2 budget will be revised, if needed, at the September 2011 General Assembly.

The tier 3 budget is the third phase of Green 2012 includes expense items that will expand the scope and effectiveness of our grassroots organizing. Hiring local grassroots organizers, conducting a Green visibility paid media campaign, and expanding our direct financial support to candidates are three key expenses we will make if we surpass the income projections for the tier 2 budget.

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 (T-1 , T-2 , T-3 )

The Campaigns and Candidates Working Group FY2011-12 budget contains annual standard expenses like the Campaign Support Fund and new ones associated with the voter database project authorized FY2010-1 and associated organizing, including creating new staff positions. The Campaign Support Fund is budgeted at $5,000 in Tier I, $10,000 in Tier II and $20,000 in Tier III. The Voter Registration File data base software is budgeted at $1,080 in Tier I. This is from a contract with CAVoterConnect.

Staff is treated in the following manner. For Tier I there is a two month continuation of the independent consultant arrangement the CCWG established in January 2010 to perform Voter Registration File data base work ($1,000) and the resulting Volunteer recruitment and coordination ($1,000) . This will maintain these efforts while providing time for the party to conduct a formal selection process for an independent contractor to perform these services on an ongoing basis.

- 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) 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)

- 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)

- 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

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

The Finance Committee work plan is the GPCA FY2011-2012 budget income narrative.

The expenses related to major donor solicitations are staff time. The telemarketing expense can be terminated at any time. We will only hire a company that agrees to a that we will be able to sever the contract at any time if we are losing money. All GPCA fundraising event costs will be in-kind contributions from event hosts. We will not spend money on travel, printing or postage. The expenses related to online fundraising are staff time. The expenses for prospect and resolicitation direct mail are printing and postage. Design and writing expenses are staff time.

There are expenses related to the GPCA Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer’s roles because we are significantly increasing the scope of fundraising. If possible, we should allocate a monthly stipend to the GPCA Treasurer, allocate funds for data entry and other support staff work to the Treasurer. No FY2011-2012 budget was submitted by the Treasurer except for $1,250 for software that helps our Treasurer prepare reports for the FPPC. Craftware, our software vender, gives us a special discounted price, which has remained $1250 for some time. That is 50% of the regular price. There is free FPPC software, but it requires our Treasurer to do a tremendous amount of time-consuming data entry that she does not have time to do.

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 (T- , T-II )

There was no FY2011-12 budget request submitted by the Green Issues Working Group. The FY2011-12 budget contains $5,000 for printing and shipping, $1,000 for posting and $150 for layout/managing editor in Tier I for one issue of the GPCA's state newspaper Green Focus. Green Focus has been a standard, annual expense of the party so it is included in the budget even without a working group work plan, but the funds will not be released until a specific work plan containing specific costs is submitted to the Finance Committee by the layout/managing editor.

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 (T-I - $6,600, T-II - $22,000)

The Media Committee FY2011-2012 budget contains a continuation of the Press Secretary position in Tier I at $3,330 ($275/month) plus $300 ($25/month) for phone/fax distribution costs, travel and miscellaneous expenses. The Press Secretary position will continue to involve working in conjunction with the Media Committee to write and disseminate news releases statewide, and coordinate media for GPCA. It will also involve scripting and production responsibility for the Visibility Campaign.

The Green Party Visibility Campaign is budgeted for $3,000 in Tier I and $22,000 more in Tier II. Its objective is to assist GPCA candidates, fundraising and major donor campaigns and the party's voter registration drive by featuring 15 and 30 second television spots to run on CNN, Headline News, MNBC and other cable networks. The GPCA spent $3,300 in FY2010-2012 on this program. A complementary Green Party Visibility Campaign - Online is budgeted for $5,000 in Tier II with the same objectives as the Visibility Campaign except that it will be focused only on online advertising, such as Google and Facebook.

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, this 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. Thhe Platform Committee did not provide information about who would receive this money.