Your Campaign Can Use a Dedicated Thank You Card Writer (really)

Hey there, fellow Democrats and grassroots champions! Today, I'm shining a spotlight on a campaign role that's often out of the limelight but is absolutely crucial to your operations: the Thank You Card Writer.

Having a dedicated Thank You Card Writer offers numerous benefits that are both impactful and cost-effective. Firstly, it ensures that supporters and volunteers genuinely feel appreciated, fostering a deeper sense of community and loyalty to the campaign. The return on investment for sending a thank you card is incredibly high, given the minimal costs involved—a stamp and a card—compared to the goodwill and continued support it generates. Additionally, this role allows candidates and the rest of the campaign team to concentrate their efforts on engaging directly with voters, ensuring that valuable time is spent on activities that can sway the outcome of the election. This strategic division of labor not only maximizes the campaign's outreach efforts but also strengthens its foundation by acknowledging and valuing every individual's contribution.

Here's my step-by-step breakdown of how this can work:

Setup a Dedicated Google Sheet: The Thank You Card Writer's primary tool is a meticulously organized Google Sheet. This sheet contains columns for names, addresses, etc, 

Team Contributions to the Sheet: Members from different parts of the campaign team contribute to the sheet based on their interactions and areas of responsibility. For instance, after a fundraising event, the treasurer inputs the names and contributions of donors, while the volunteer coordinator updates it with new volunteers' details and their roles so the thank you can be specific.

Adding Personal Touches: The candidates themselves have a special column in this document where they can add personal notes for any supporter. This could range from a shared memory, a word of thanks for specific support, or any message they wish to personally convey, making a thank you card uniquely heartfelt.

Crafting the Cards: When no specific note is provided by the candidates (heck, they are going to get very very busy), the Thank You Card Writer steps in to craft a sincere, generic message of gratitude. This ensures that every supporter receives acknowledgment, reminding them of their valued contribution.

Dispatching Gratitude: Finally, these personalized cards are sent out to the supporters, via snail mail (email is NOT a good fit here). The campaign should foot the bill* for the cards and the stamps of course . Having the Thank You Card Writer mail out the cards completes the process and ensures that the circle of friends, allies, and supporters knows just how much their contribution means to the campaign and the shared goals.

Overall, this structured approach to expressing gratitude ensures no supporter goes unnoticed and strengthens the connection between the candidates and their community. It's a testament to a grassroots ethos, where every handshake, every contribution, and every word of thanks builds the foundation of the  campaign.

* Check with your state's campaign finance rules to see if a "paid for by" needs to be on each card.