The Elly Report: Around the County

The New Campaign Portal & Phone Banking in Worcester

by Michael Mague

On March 15th, 2005, the Worcester Republican City Committee (WRCC) gave resounding endorsement to a proposed Telephone Outreach Campaign to begin this Spring. The Campaign proposal had earlier been presented to the Executive Committee.

The Campaign was designed in recognition that WRCC needs to revitalize its active membership and to bring City Republican resources to bear on local and state issues and elections. The concept was an outgrowth of a critical analysis of WRCC’s limited participation in this last election cycle. It was also encouraged by a February Republican Party Summit that provided outline and training materials for developing and managing town and city committees. Given that the City of Worcester is about to launch into the municipal elections cycle, the timing of the campaign is critical.

The WRCC was especially grateful to an Executive Committee member who generously offered telephone banking facilities. That offer will assure a regular place of meeting and capacity for up to 10 phone positions. The stated purpose of the campaign is to assure that phone contact will be made with each and every registered Republican household in Worcester. Election Commission records reflect approximately 12,000 such registrations. The contact is intended to:

Inform registrant of the WRCC, its purpose, activities, and meeting schedules.
Encourage active membership in WRCC.
Determine if election and party records accurately reflect the registrant’s party affiliation, address, and phone.
Assess the registrant’s level of political involvement, voting history, and support of Republican candidates and issues.
Solicit registrant’s commitment to future party involvement in any capacity.
Develop methods to allow continued contact with potential member as a volunteer, contributor, and voter.

It is anticipated that these contacts will generate e-mail address lists to allow continued contact. It should provide opportunity to direct attention to our newly launched Elly Report and to newly designed Worcester County Republican Club web site.

As of this writing, committee members are putting the finishing touches on developing phone lists, script materials, and methods to record results of contact. Measurement criteria have been developed to assess success.

The Massachusetts Republican Party has been especially helpful in their support and encouraged use of the portal system. Access to the portal has been approved by our State Committee people. Additional portal training has been obtained and new features are being put to work.

Anyone wishing to volunteer is most welcome. Contact Jerry Horton at (508) 852-8338 for more details. ER