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WHAT NONPROFIT STAFF CAN DO in elections on and off the job

WHAT NONPROFIT STAFF CAN DO in elections on and off the job. Presented by. About us. A national hub of voter engagement resources and trainings to help nonprofits integrate nonpartisan voter participation into ongoing activities and services.

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WHAT NONPROFIT STAFF CAN DO in elections on and off the job

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  1. WHAT NONPROFIT STAFF CAN DOin elections on and off the job Presented by

  2. About us A national hub of voter engagement resources and trainings to help nonprofits integrate nonpartisan voter participation into ongoing activities and services. Find more about our mission and partners on our website: www.nonprofitvote.org About

  3. Today’s presenters George Pillsbury Executive Director Nonprofit VOTE Julian Johannesen Director of Research and Training Nonprofit VOTE Who

  4. agenda • Voter Engagement at Work • Political Activity Outside of Work • Example Cases Agenda

  5. Voter engagementat work • 501(c)(3) Guidelines for Election Activity • Voter Registration • Voter Education • Candidate Engagement • Get Out The Vote

  6. THE ONE RULE A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization may not support or oppose a candidatefor public office. • May NOT – • Make an endorsement • Donate money or resources • Rate candidates on your issue AT WORK

  7. WHAT NONPROFITS CAN DO Nonprofits may conduct nonpartisan voter engagement activities designed to help the public participate in elections. Voter Registration Voter Education Candidate Forums Get Out The Vote (GOTV) AT WORK

  8. 1. VOTER REGISTRATION AT WORK May not suggest which party to join or candidate to vote for. • Promote voter registration • Use your communications and events to announce registration deadlines, where to register. • Conduct a voter registration activity • Set up a table in your lobby, do voter registration as part of services • Hold a voter registration event or drive

  9. 2. VOTER EDUCATION On the process of voting Date of the election, polling place hours, what ID they need to vote, etc. On candidates and issues Nonpartisan voter guides or a sample ballot AT WORK • Voter guides must be balanced and can’t compare your position with the candidates

  10. 3. CANDIDATE ENGAGEMENT • Include all candidates (not all must participate) • Review nonpartisan guidelines on our website- www.nonprofitvote.org AT WORK • Invite candidates to an event • Sponsor a candidate forum • Prepare a candidate questionnaire • Sendcandidates your policy ideas

  11. 4. GET OUT THE VOTE AT WORK 501(c)(3) nonprofits may not endorse candidates. But we may endorse voting! Create visibility:  Make the election visible at your agency Help people vote: Help people to vote early; answer questions Get out the vote:Contact all your constituents about voting

  12. 5. BALLOT MEASURES AT WORK • 501c3 nonprofits may work for or against a ballot measure as a lobbying activity • Activity on ballot measures is lobbying. It’s influencing the passage or defeat of a law– not the election of a candidate

  13. 501c3 RESOURCES

  14. Political activity outside of work • The Basic Guideline • What Nonprofit Staff Can Do OUTSIDE WORK

  15. The basic guideline Nonprofit staff are free to engage in partisan activities, such as supporting a candidate, outside of normal work hours – off the clock OUTSIDE WORK

  16. What to avoid • Use nonprofit resources including your time for partisan political purposes • Be partisan when representing your nonprofit at or outside of work OUTSIDE WORK

  17. What staff can do • What: • Volunteer on campaigns • Attend political events • Support your candidate • Run for office • When: • Personal time outside work hours • On vacation • On personal days • On unpaid leave OUTSIDE WORK

  18. examples • Partisan Communications at Work • Using Your Nonprofit Resources • Communicating with Volunteers • Appearing at Events & Fundraisers • Going Public with Your Support • Running for Office EXAMPLES

  19. Partisan communications at work • Phone calls and emails • Keeping it separate • Incidental use ok • Social media accounts • Higher standards for Executive Directors EXAMPLES

  20. Using your nonprofit resources 501c3 nonprofits may not use resources for partisan purposes • Public space (if available to all) • Reimbursed use of phones, etc? EXAMPLES

  21. Communicating with staff & volunteers • Volunteers • Showing your colors (Political attire, etc) EXAMPLES

  22. Appearing at events & fundraisers • Guidelines for all staff • Guidelines for Executive Director EXAMPLES

  23. Going public with your support • Being listed on Campaign Literature/Websites • Using an *asterix EXAMPLES

  24. Running for Office • Keeping your campaign outside your office • Taking a leave of absence to do more EXAMPLES

  25. resources • Factsheets, Guides, Toolkits and more available at www.nonprofitvote.org Resources

  26. www.nonprofitvote.org MORE RESOURCES Resources

  27. info@nonprofitvote.org 617.357.VOTE (8683) www.nonprofitvote.org Nonprofit VOTE 89 South Street Suite 203 Boston, MA 02111 George Pillsbury gpillsbury@nonprofitvote.org Julian Johannesen julian@nonprofitvote.org

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