2012: Year of Freedom

1. 2012: Year of Freedom

2. 2012: Year of Freedom Agenda: 3pm The RLC Colorado. Why form the RLC of Colorado? Who are we? What do we do? 4pm How do I engage the Republican party. Florence Sebern – GOP Structure Panel – Working in the GOP 5pm Socialize. Meet a fellow freedom fighter.

3. "It is the common fate of the indolent to see their rights become a prey to the active. The condition upon which God hath given liberty to man is eternal vigilance; which condition if he break, servitude is at once the consequence of his crime and the punishment of his guilt." -- John Philpot Curran

4. Can Colorado lead the way? • Strict term limits lead to turn over • Caucus state = organization and intensity count • Small state = fewer media markets • The GOP had ceded large portions of the state

5. What is the RLC? • An all volunteer • Political action organization (527) • Dedicated to our principals: individual rights, limited government and free enterprise within the Republican Party of the United States of America. • libertarians, constitutional conservatives, limited government Republicans

6. What do we do? • Identify, recruit and support candidates for state and local government who hold to our principles. • Encouraging our members to participate in the Republican party organization and promoting membership in RLC among party leadership. •  Monitoring legislative activity to make elected Republican accountable to the principles on which they campaigned.

7. We need a Colorado farm team

8. History • National Organization founded in 1991 • Very active in several states. • Colorado Chapter rechartered in May 2011 • A simple structure to get us through the 2012 caucus season, where we could harness significant energy and prepare endorsements.

9. RLC CO Organization Chart Members Board of Directors: 7 members representing each of Colorado’s Congressional Districts Officers: Chairman/ Exec Officer Vice Chairman Secretary Treasurer CD1 CD2 CD5 Unorganized CDs Convention

10. Identify, Recruit, Support

11. How to identify candidates I, pledge to the citizens of the State of Colorado and to the American people, that as their elected representative I will work to: restore liberty, not restrict it; shrink government, not expand it; reduce taxes, not raise them; abolish programs, not create them; promote the freedom and independence of citizens, not the interference of government in their lives; and observe the limited, enumerated powers of our Constitution, not ignore them.

12. Questionnaire What is the purpose of government? When is initiation of force by government justified? When is prior restraint on individual liberty justified? What does the principle of self ownership mean to you and what are its implications in terms of limiting voluntary exchange and in determining tax policy?

13. Questionnaire Do you support balanced budgets? What steps can or should the state of Colorado take to reduce its dependence of funding by the federal government? What risk does the state take in continuing to draw significant revenues from the federal government?

14. Questionnaire Will you use the powers delegated by the people to the state government to fight federal and local government laws or actions that violate individual rights? What steps can the State of Colorado take to protect its citizens against abuse of their rights by the federal government?

15. 2010 Endorsee and Taxpayer Champion – Don Beezley

16. Seriousness of Campaign • Does candidate know his/her numbers • Does candidate have campaign manager • Does candidate have finance plan • What are prospects for winning • Spreading message

17. Which races? • Electioneering activities in a few key races. • Tactical choice of races in which to participate. For the 2012 cycle • We choose not to participate in primary races against sitting Republicans. • Not to participate in Federal races.

18. Supporting candidates • Promo on Social Media and Website • Flyers at events • Draw attention national RLC group • Other electioneering communication • Mailers, Phone calls etc.

19. Supporting candidate financially • Small Donor Committee • PAC • Fund raising event

20. Marketing the RLC

21. Outreach Talking to other conservative groups

22. Product Differentiation How is the RLC different from Other Groups? • Specific principles • Electoral focus • We are Partisan. Republicans only.

23. Brand Extension This is how you grow a party

24. Legislation Monitoring • Many newer groups already do this work at the capitol. • We work with and support these groups. We will appoint a point of contact with in our organization to work with these groups. • As we grow we can supplement where necessary and begin hosting a lobbying day.

25. Legislation Monitoring • Colorado Union of Taxpayers • http://www.coloradotaxpayer.org/ • Gadsden society • http://www.gadsdensoc.com • Principles of Liberty • Facebook: Principles of Liberty Colorado • Liberty Watch • http://www.libertywatch.info/

26. How can I get involved?

27. Organizing your CD

28. Additional Help at State Level • Standing committees • Candidate Review • Fundraising • PR and communications • Still need a few seats on the Board and special projects: • Events Coordinator • Secretary (PR/ Precinct project) • Liason to groups at Capitol

29. Help spread the Word • Attend liberty group events like Liberty on the Rocks or R Block Party where you can make a pitch and drop literature. • Attend GOP events like county breakfast or candidate forums. • Invite one of our officers or get literature. • Give out our website: www.rlccolorado.com

30. What’s ahead for 2012 – 2014 2012 PAC/ Small Donor Fundraiser Make an appearance at GOP Victory Center 2013 RLC Day at the Capitol May RLCCO convention Caucus training 2014 Reception/ Dinner at State Convention

31. Participating in the GOP