GRASSROOTS POLITICS

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GRASSROOTSPOLITICS
It Does Affect Me

• Eric Tuott
• Southcentral Alaska Representative
• Alaska Professional Fire Fighters

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POLITICS

• You can run from it but you cannot hide from
  itNor do you want to!

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Issues affected by Politicsand Politicians

• Working Conditions
• Facilities and Equipment
• Safety
• Pay
• Salaries
• Benefits
• Staffing
• Pensions
• Grants
• Local
• State
• Federal

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Politics affect our lives as well as the lives of
those we have sworn to protect

• Yet some would give our jobs to privateers for
  profit!!

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POLITICS

• Webster says.
• a the art or science of government
• b the art or science concerned with guiding or
  influencing governmental policy
• c the art or science concerned with winning and
  holding control over a government

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Or

• Webster also says
• a the total complex of relations between people
  living in society
• b relations or conduct in a particular area of
  experience especially as seen or dealt with from
  a political point of view

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ACTIVITY

• 1 the quality or state of being active2
  vigorous or energetic action LIVELINESS3
  natural or normal function as a a process that
  an organism carries on or participates in by
  virtue of being alive b a similar process
  actually or potentially involving mental
  function specifically an educational procedure
  designed to stimulate learning by firsthand
  experience4 an active force5 a a pursuit in
  which a person is active b a form of organized,
  supervised, often extracurricular recreation6
  an organizational unit for performing a specific
  function

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DEFINITION

• TO BE POLITICALLY ACTIVE
• Lets build a list together

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POLITICALLY ACTIVE

• Engaged..regardless of partisanship
• Give your time
• Knowledgeableknow your process from local
  borough races to federal races
• Take on a party position
• Dig into your pockets

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Why Should We As Firefighters be Politically
Active?

• Especially when there are so many other things to
  do.Like FISHING!!!!!!!!

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BUT

• Were only firefighters How can we become
  politically active?

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Political Action Comes in Many Forms

• Join Civic Orgs
• Elks, Eagles, Moose, Rotary, Kiwanis,
  Toast-Masters
• Boys Girls Clubs, Scouts
• Attain Knowledge
• Know your process
• Know your elected leaders at all levels
• Watch Gavel to Gavel
• Build Relationships
• Visit with Elected Leaders

• Give Your time
• Get involved in Campaigns at all levels
• Signs, doorbelling, phone banks, events
• Sponsor a Home Fundraiser
• Dig Into Your Pockets
• FIREPAC
• Local Political Activity Fund
• Take on a Party Role
• DNC/RNC Delegate
• State Delegate

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Building Relationships

• Underestimated in all that we do.
• IAFF members, fire chiefs, elected officials
• Can be either a good or bad relationship.
• Takes effort, especially in Alaska.
• Has to be done face to face.

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Building Relationships

• Do your homeworkknow them, their history, beyond
  the resume, meet them for lunch, call them out of
  session, meet them elsewhere other than Juneau,
  meet them in their home or their work.
• And we do it because

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REMEMBERREMEMBERREMEMBERREMEMBERREMEMBERREMEMBER

• A word to the wise is sufficient
• The otherwise cant take a hint!!!

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TEST-TEST-TEST-TEST-TEST-TEST-TEST-TEST-TEST-TEST

• TIME
• FOR
• A
• TEST

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Who is this?
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Dick Traini Friend or Foe?

• Republican
• Elected to the Assembly   1991-1995, 2001-2008
• Leadership Positions Title 21 and Public Safety
  Committees
• Rogers Park, Tudor Area, Airport Heights
  Community Councils
• Contact 907-563-7996 dtraini_at_gci.net,
  www.dicktraini.org
• BIOGRAPHY
• Residency in Alaska Anchorage 1971- present
• Spouse Wife Sandy
• Children 8, ranging in age from 14-31
• Occupation Air Force (retired), Adjunct
  Professor of History at UAA
• Education    - Bachelors Degree Political
  Science   - Masters Public Administration
• 24,5000 hits on Google search

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Who is this?
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Berta Gardner Friend or Foe?

• RepresentativeBerta GardnerDistrict 24 -
  DemocratElected to the House2004 COMMITTEE
  MEMBERSHIP LEADERSHIP POSITIONS
•  Legislative Session ContactState Capitol, Room
  422Juneau, AK 99801-1182907-465-4930800-331-493
  0fax [phone]Rep_Berta_Gardner_at_legis.state
  .ak.usInterim Contact716 W. 4th Ave Ste
  340Anchorage, AK 99501-2133907-269-0174fax
  907-269-0177
• BIOGRAPHY
• Date and Place of BirthApril 12, 1954Utah
• Name of Spouse Michael Gardner
• Children Cassandra, Jared, Dillon
• Occupation Manager, Brown Bear Software
• Residency in Alaska 13 years
• Education 1977 BA Psychology, University of
  California, Riverside
• Political and Government Positions President,
  Rogers Park Community Council Vice-President,
  Tudor Area Community Council.
• 19 hits on the internet

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Friends or Foes?

• It is important to note that you can and SHOULD
  have a relationship with ALL elected officials
  (IAFF leading union)
• Some will be better than others
• All Union members are of possible assistance in
  building these relationships
• List ways to build relationships with elected
  officials

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What Can You Offer?

• Our name is not enough..YET!
• Dont believe everything they are telling you
  about how great you are.
• As soon as you do, you have lost!

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Offer Support

• Endorsement
• State, Local, and Personal
• Fundraising
• Chili feeds
• Auctions
• Wine tasting
• Potluck block parties
• Manpower
• Your Membership
• Doorbelling
• Signs
• Phone Banks
• Personal Dough, Dollars, Money

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Remember in regards to your membership

• All people are willing- some are willing to work
  and the rest are willing to let them.

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We Must Have Vision

• Look ahead plan ahead
• Does not happen overnight
• Need
• Political Activity Chairperson
• Invest in this individuals knowledge (Political
  Training Academy)
• Give him/her a committee
• Political Activity Fund
• All members must contribute, even if its just a
  little!

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We Must Work Harder!!

• What happens in Anchorage in April could hurt
  you in 20 years

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Your Friends Must Meet Your Expectations

• You have to clearly articulate what you expect
  for your help
• Must be measurable
• Do not dance around
• Get it on the table early (interview)
• Get it in writing
• Develop a questionnaire

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There Must Be Consequences

• You must have a plan to actno bluffing-boycott
  their business, picket, write them letters, meet
  them in public venues-their town hall meetings,
  be a pain in the ass.

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We must meet their expectations as well

• Follow Through With Promises
• Endorsement
• Phone Banks
• Doorbelling

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REMEMBER-REMEMBER-REMEMBER-REMEMBER

• Elected Officials dont want to pose with these
  guys!!!

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Wellmaybe some of them do
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REMEMBER-REMEMBER-REMEMBER-REMEMBER

• Elected Officials want to pose with you and your
  group!! Why???

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Because were Professionals - all day, every day!