AllUnited Action Plan

Imagine if we had all the right digital tools and community preparation to collectively send thousands of messages within hours to signal dismay or approval with an elected official.

That is action converted to power!

Imagine if we could recruit, train, and support talented community members to launch a new breed of political leaders that actually fix broken systems.

That is Power converted to change!

Imagine if we finally had a professional institution run by a local, trusted team of experts that could do the above and much more, and do it sustainably, year in, year out.

That is change converted to lasting Impact!

PLAN | Data-driven strategy

Lay of the Land

  • Where is our community concentrated?

  • Power mapping: who are the current political players in the areas we are considering playing in? Consider allies, opponents, neutral players.

  • What are our assets & liabilities (resources, people, ideas)?

  • Political history & previous elections outcomes - the good and the bad.

  • Who else is trying to do this work in our community that we can work with?

Strategy

  • Elections are cyclical. We must operate within the real confines, constraints, and opportunities of these cycles. Long-term vs. short-term goals.

  • Where do we run people? Where do we plan for future runs? Where do we support allies to our community?

  • Yes, win elections. But also, secure employment and appointments.

  • How do we build a talent pipeline for candidates, staff and volunteers?

  • How much will it cost to achieve our goals? How do we finance this work for the long haul?

Plan & Timeline

  • Essential to plan for three phases: short-term (2025), medium-term (2027), long-term: (2029 & beyond). There is no “switch” we can flip to build power in one cycle.

  • 3-year fundraising plan & strategic plan. Resources & capacity for each stage.

  • Measurable goals for things like: people trained, voters mobilized, elections won, fellows recruited, etc.

  • Be flexible, plan for contingencies.

ORGANIZE | Educate, Engage, Empower

Field Team

  • We will build a powerful team of field canvassers who can be deployed to build our organization & support our candidates & allies.

  • A strong field presence is power.

  • This is how we move from ideas to action. Real people on the ground, with a message and mission, with the technology to connect with voters - and ultimately turn out our community to vote.

  • Integrated with Leadership Academy

Family & Friends

  • A program a proven strategy for successful voter mobilization

  • Goal: participants identity and mobilize ~20 people from their respective network to GOTV

  • Excellent way to get people involved who are otherwise busy or unable to take on a leadership role.

  • Easy to start small and scale for major impact.

Talent pipeline

  • We have enormous talent in our community - folks who can run for office, secure important jobs and get appointed to commissions and boards.

  • But we need a structured way to identify them, engage them, and prepare them for leadership opportunities.

  • We will build a database and strategy to create this pipeline.

  • Many different places to identify these folks: young & established professionals, business leaders, students, parents, grassroots leaders, nonprofit leaders, etc! (All the WhatsApp groups)

Leadership Academy

  • We have a limited pool of people who are can do this work currently. The academy will create a sustainable pipeline of folks who will become leaders in the political space.

  • Potential 16 week fellowship opportunity (variations of this can be a one-week intensive)  to address topics like:

  • Strategy & leadership

  • Electoral & issue-based organizing

  • Messaging & public speaking

  • Campaign tools (i.e. VAN, phone banking, texting)

  • Grassroots fundraising

  • Media Engagement

  1. Recruit from Universal, Aqsa, Stagg, Argo, Sandburg, Moraine, UIC, DePaul, Loyola, SJPs, MSAs, etc. And not just young people.

WIN | Run Candidates & Win Elections

Campaign Strategy

  • Vetting candidates: Viability and values.

  • So we want to support you. Now what?

  • Platform & Message - values and vision.

  • Slate or no slate? Alliances & opposition.

  • Determining win number.

  • Understanding ballot dynamics (who’s running, how many people, etc)

  • Time commitment

  • Budget estimate

Ballot & Compliance

  • Getting on the ballot is a game in Illinois. It’s easy to mess up and get knocked off. Must get this right.

  • Defend against ballot challenges.

  • Create a campaign committee if needed (for campaigns that will spend more than $5,000)

  • Quarterly reporting and compliance.

Execution

  • Create a campaign plan, including platform, field, digital, fundraising, and political/endorsements.

  • Set up technical infrastructure for digital, texting, voter file, etc.

  • Develop and print campaign materials from launch through GOTV.

  • Recruit campaign team, canvassers, volunteers.

  • Navigate complex political and electoral dynamics that arise.