SPN Professional Peer Mentoring Program

Kurt T. Weber and Nicole Williams, State Policy Network

SPN's Peer Mentoring Program aids the development of think tank leadership and management. We work with start-up and transitioning think tanks to put the leaders in touch with ideas and resources needed for their next phase of development. The following discussion notes are the questions that we ask when initially working with a new think tank.

Discussion Notes

Who do you know in the movement?

What resources are you aware of for state think tanks?

Is state legislature part time or full time?

 

What do you want to achieve?

  • Mission
  • Focus - 501(c)3? 4? (political activity?)
  • How to do it (execution)

Vision in first year? (database, website, brochure; Bluegrass Institute)

3-5 years? How will you get there?

What is organizational structure (board of scholars, etc.)

 

Fundraising

  • Focus & strategy
  • Choose your crm
  • Thank yous
  • Acton Notes - bi-monthly feel good piece & list of activities for donors
  • Competitors - cooperation? Tell supporters about "500 phone calls"

Resources

  • Staff - policy manual, avoid potential lawsuits
  • Tech
  • Funding
  • Contracting out
  • Interns - contest for college papers
  • "Stealing" commentaries from other think tanks

Marketing

  • Who is your audience? (Mackinac: newsletters to donors only, not media)
  • How will you reach them? (Know your media like a donor)
  • What is your product?
  • Importance of image and design Use of humor - unions contracting out cleaning services (Mackinac story), Outrageous Law Contest, Monthly Misuse (TCPR)
  • Common message, theme for policy areas
  • Independence Day card
  • Get others to cite your work
  • Maintain nonpartisan stance
  • Spread the policy wealth; Mackinac was concerned about focus, becoming "Larry Reed Show"
  • Photos. Photos. Photos.

 Networking

  • Use your donors
  • Leverage others' names to increase your legitimacy (co-sponsor event w/ est. org.)
  • Committee of Correspondence
  • (CPI) League of NM Cities, Assoc. of NM Counties, Special Districts Assoc. of NM
  • Grange / Farm Bureau, Chambers of Commerce, Federalist Society
  • Depts. of Political Science, Econ., Public Adm., Law (survey)
  • Book publishers, all political parties, City Clubs, Mont Pelerin Society
  • Editorial boards, home school orgs, Junior Achievement, Laissez Faire Books
  • Moles
  • Value of big vs. small events Look for atypical alliances - IJ & Urban League

Publications - sell solutions (McTigue: must convince people there is a problem)

  • Target each publication
  • Everything you produce is your image
  • What is your image? The Mackinac Center "Guarantee of Scholarship"
  • Mackinac pays for publications from advisors
  • Types of publications
    • Commentary - 600-850 words (contact publications for limits; offer to edit)
    • Reports; Policy Insight; Newsletter; Marketing pieces (e.g., brochure); Event notices, Year end reports
  • Electronic? Reason email notices E-bulletins (short notices, every 2-3 weeks)
  • Include a graphic / summary in commentaries for increased media hits
  • Holidays

Special Programs

  • Legislative Leadership Forum
  • Internship program, Independence Essay Competition, Debate Seminar
  • Media / journalists; IHS' Felix Morley Journalism Competition for college students
  • Better Government Competition 
  • Quarterly visits around the state
  • Speakers Available (short summary of topics you can address) - Rotary, radio, etc. Education? teachers split from union - EFF brochures
  • Health care - seminars, provide immediately adoptable, practical ideas for organizations (HSAs, FSAs, etc.); helpful with networking, seen as "solutions"-type group

What Next

  • Leadership Conference at Mackinac - Board member and staff person
  • SPN events, Resource Bank, Get to know Atlas, IHS
  • If office not in Capitol city, branch office (Mackinac)