Replies

MEMORANDUM

To: John
From: Sean
RE: Next Steps
Date: July 15, 2013

Now that we have the framework for a path forward, I think we need to agree on our mission and our announcement. I think it makes sense to work backwards from our announcement.

Announcement

When: I think we need to announce by the end of July, so that we do not lose any more time, and we do not get lost in the confluence of stories around the filings of the various Superpacs which will be public on July 31.

[Priorities USA Action will file with $3.2 million cash on hand, but we will show very little fundraising activity for the first half of the year. The two main expenditures we will show are $100,000 to Emily’s list per earlier conversations about their polling/focus group project, and $250,000 to Senate Majority PAC for the Mass. special. I think that we should make an initial transfer to Ready 4, and be prepared to make that public even though it will not be included in the current filing. Obviously, we all need to have comfort level on mission and budget, but as they are agreeing to cap donations at $5,000, I think we should do an initial $500,000, based on Craig’s estimate of a $4.1 million budget for this year. When we discuss the budgets I think we can lock in some regular schedule for transfers.]

What do we say: I think we need to be able to say who we are, who is supporting us, and what we are doing.

Board – Priorities board currently consists of Harold Ickes, Greg Speed from America Votes, and there is one vacancy – we have discussed on an option for that slot. In addition, we discussed having an Executive Board consisting of you and Jim as co-chairs, and adding:
Minyon
Michael
Charlie
Paul
Me

We need to include other constituencies, we should brainstorm suggestions. In addition, there was the suggestion for labor leaders, we should discuss how to proceed.

Donors – I think we should be able to say which big donors are committed – even if it is not part of a press release, we should be able to tell reporters. I think we should ask the following:
Haim Saban
Steve Bing
Jefrey Katzenberg
Fred Eychaner

Diana Rogalle is the only finance person we have on staff currently. I think that we should do a meeting or call with her and Jonathan Mantz and Jay Dunn to make sure we reach out to all of the donors who will send the best signal. I have attached a list of Priorities’ donors above $100,000 from last cycle.

Mission – I think for the purposes of the announcement we need to have at least the framework of what our pitch to donors will be – we will combat GOP attacks, we will build a database akin to 2012, we will engage in research. We need to flesh this out with Jim.
The other mission announcement is that we are for Hillary – we need to decide how we declare this, and decide how we describe our relationship to Ready 4.

I think there are two operational necessities for the announcement:
1 – Engage someone to do press. I would recommend Ty Matsdorf who works for Jim, and was the Communications Director for American Bridge for most of last cycle, and has a lot of experience in the i.e. space.

2 – Engage a web vendor to stand up the website so that it is current with the new mission. I think it would be good if we can engage Dewey Square for this.

Next Steps, let me know how you want to proceed on each:
1- Solidify Board membership – I think you or I should circulate the proposed list, and then we can lock in board appointments
2- Lock in donors – As I suggested above, I think you and I should do a call or meeting with Diana Rogalle, Jonathan Mantz, and Jay Dunn, and perhaps with Harold as well, so that we can lock in a group of core supporters that we can announce.
3- Lock in plan/budget. I am going to meet with Charlie Baker on Thursday. Right now the Priorities team consists of me, Paul, Diana, a research staffer, and a compliance consultant. I am open to suggestions for staff and consultants going forward, and I think it is imperative to incorporate Dewey’s ideas.
4- We should meet or have another call on Friday.