[vntd_hero_section images=”60113″ heading_dynamic=”PIN Points – August 2018″ subtitle=”” button1_label=”” bg_overlay=”dark_blue” height=”custom” height_custom=”400″ tooltips=”%5B%7B%22tooltip_title%22%3A%22Hello%20there!%22%2C%22tooltip_url%22%3A%22%23%22%2C%22tooltip_placement%22%3A%22top%22%2C%22tooltip_depth%22%3A%220.42%22%7D%5D”]
Farewell from PIN Chair Greg Knopp
Thanks — It’s been an Honor and a Privilege
“What we call the beginning is often the end. And to make an end is to make a beginning. The end is where we start from.”
T.S. Eliot
It’s hard to believe it has been more than five years since I was asked to succeed the very talented Sabrina Spitaletta as Chair of the Public Affairs Council’s Political Involvement Network. It has truly been an honor and a privilege to serve in this capacity and I hope together we’ve made some progress on some of the objectives I outlined in my first column, namely to:
- Provide unique and timely content to help fellow PIN members
- Offer new programs and perspectives that will help each of us achieve the strategic goals assigned to us by the organizations we work for
- Find new ways to help us grow/develop professionally, personally and creatively so we can take the next step in our lives and careers
- Strengthen and expand our individual networks to better accomplish those objectives
- Have some fun while doing it
This time I’d like to leave you with my own words. While decluttering our home recently, I came across a list I gave my children (then 18 and 16, respectively) on Christmas Eve 2009. It was a heartfelt attempt to transfer what little wisdom I had gained over my life to help them navigate theirs. I am quite sure it was quickly forgotten by them, but it’s still a great reminder for me. Here’s the list:
- Find what you love and be passionate about pursuing it.
- Don’t ever let excuses get in the way of taking responsibility for your actions.
- Find the best in everyone. Search for it, celebrate it, and appreciate their own unique contribution to the cosmos.
- Hold yourself to a higher standard. Don’t settle for halfway or even “close enough.” Make Excellence a habit in everything you do.
- Expect difficulties. These are the tests that Life provides to help us see the true purpose of our journey.
- Embrace the Bad along with the Good. The only way to appreciate true happiness is to experience real sadness.
- Forgive others for their shortcomings. You are not perfect, and neither are they. We all try to do the best we can at any given moment.
- When in doubt, work hard. It will allow you to accomplish great things, and help take your mind off the little things you can’t control anyhow.
- Look for Beauty. It is all around us, but too often, we are obsessed with looking for imperfections in things – especially in others and ourselves.
- Love Conquers All. If you Love enough you can accomplish anything – and it will make the effort worthy of your pursuit.
Thanks again; I hope our paths cross often in the future.
Greg[/vc_toggle]
Just Released! PAC Match Survey Results
The Public Affairs Council’s 2017 Corporate PAC Benchmarking Report found that PAC match was the single most effective PAC benefit offered by PACs to incentivize contributions. The Public Affairs Council conducts the annual PAC Match survey to identify common trends and practices of PACs administering charitable match programs. See this year’s results below.
Creating an Impactful PAC Content Strategy
The average office worker receives 121 emails a day and checks his or her phone an average of 80 times a day. Cutting through this existing noise to provide impactful PAC content that both educates and motivates your eligible community is no small task. But being strategic about your communications and content is one of the most effective ways to create a feeling of community that others want to join. We recently discussed this topic at the Council’s Creating Impactful PAC Content workshop and came away with the following key considerations that should drive your content strategy.
Identify the best messenger—the best messenger is not always the most obvious person. Sometimes the most effective messenger to communicate the importance of the PAC is not the one with the highest title, but a well-liked, highly respected individual that people know and trust. As in one example, the difference of an email being opened could rest on whether or not it comes from someone at the corporate office. But finding the messenger is only half of the challenge. You will have to test, examine and monitor open rates on subject lines, timing, messengers and more to identify the most effective communications methods. Mica Evans Hider, director, AmeriChem PAC at the American Chemistry Council sends almost all PAC email communications from her address which has proven to resonate better than other messengers within the trade association. Additionally, she has found that her community still responds well to direct mail. Understanding your internal culture and how your eligibles prefer to consume content is crucial to a successful strategy.
Plan ahead—it’s not enough to wait until January to develop a plan for the year ahead. Mica reported spending nine to 10 months planning her PAC campaign and content strategy for a calendar year. The more time you set aside to plan and the earlier you start the more cohesive and thoughtful your strategy will be. Consider creating a content calendar to keep yourself on track and your outreach consistent. Jessica Strieter Elting, senior manager, Federal Relations at Aflac reports providing her PAC community with an average of six touches a month. The right amount of communications will vary for each organization, but it’s important to communicate regularly with more than just a financial ask.
Make it fun—don’t be afraid to keep it light-hearted and experiment with fun themes in your approach to PAC content. One of Jessica’s most-read PAC emails at Aflac was about cilantro (yes, you read that right). She also launched a Did You Know series of communications that focused on education, including comparing political spending against other spending categories. In case you are wondering, Americans spent twice the amount on potato chips in 2016 than they did on the presidential election. Additionally, Caitlin Donahue, senior vice president and head of digital at Curley Company, recommends downloading a complete list of upcoming “holidays” for some fun inspiration. Did you know International Cat Day, National Coloring Book Day and National Tell a Joke Day are all coming up in August? There is no shortage of opportunities to engage your audience in a fun and creative way that already exists. Politics can be polarizing, consider taking a more light-hearted approach to your PAC communications from time to time.
Don’t be afraid to take a risk—finally, all of our speakers agreed that sometimes it’s worth taking a risk on a big idea. Trying something new or altering an existing program can be nerve-racking, but it’s important to trust your gut. That advice extends beyond your content strategy and into all major aspects of your PAC program—don’t be afraid to take the leap outside of your comfort zone.
Thank you to our speakers, Jennifer Brooks, Jessica Strieter Elting, Mica Evans Hider and Caitlin Donahue for contributing content to this article via their participation in the Council’s recent workshop on Creating Impactful PAC Content. For more information on developing a communications plan or content strategy for your PAC, please contact Kristin Brackemyre at [email protected] or 202.787.5969.[/vc_toggle][vc_separator]
We Want Your Input! PACs and Social Issues Working Group Survey
Please complete this brief survey to help us identify trends among PACs in handling candidate positions on social issues or behavioral issues unbecoming of the office. Thank you!
August is Professional Development Month!
Results: PIN Flash Poll
In June, we sent a flash poll to the Political Involvement Network regarding PAC contributions to non-incumbents and the funding of PAC fundraising trips. See the results below.
Outstanding PAC Awards Nominations Open Now
The Public Affairs Council’s Outstanding PAC Awards recognize top organizations in the following categories:
- Outstanding Association PAC
- Outstanding Corporate PAC
The awards recognize effective approaches to enhancing PAC involvement. These awards, presented at the National PAC Conference, recognize outstanding initiatives that showcase creativity and effectiveness in promoting increased financial or member engagement in the PAC.
Mark these dates to make sure you’re prepared to submit your nomination:
August 1
Nominations open for submission. The nomination form will be available starting August 1 on our website.
December 3
Last day to submit nominations. We will accept nominations through close of business December 3.
March 5
Winners unveiled at the 2019 Outstanding PAC Awards Gala. As an award recipient, you will receive a complimentary registration to the 2019 National PAC Conference in Miami, Fla. and be recognized at our inaugural awards gala.
ICYMI: Recap of Recent PIN Events
On June 7, Anheuser-Busch hosted the PIN for a happy hour at their office. Political involvement professionals gathered to enjoy snacks, Budweisers and (later) celebrate the Caps victory!
On July 19, Nathan Gonzales came to the Council office to address a full room in anticipation of upcoming races and midyear elections. He gave his best predictions for this election cycle and the opportunity it poses for PACs.