Dear Friends,
When I was elected Chairman of the Fulton County Republican Party in November of 2007, I laid out a plan to ensure lasting and positive changes to our organization. We set out with an ambitious agenda to move the Fulton GOP to the next level, and I believe, together, we accomplished our goals. Although our work is far from done I believe it’s important that you know, specifically, what we have done together over the past year.
Fundraising In just ten months the Fulton GOP raised more than $300,000 (more than twice that of the entire Presidential cycle of 2004).
New Office After thirteen years at the same location we moved our HQs from a limited and outdated 750 square foot office to a state-of-the-art 3,000 square foot campaign and party HQ complete with ten phone lines, five customized volunteer computers, a wireless network and a prime storefront location in Sandy Springs. Our office had several GOTV Rallies and Debate Watching events and we were one of Saxby’s main satellite offices in the state for his run-off election. Just prior to the first Presidential debate, CNN chose our office to be one of only three GOP HQs in the entire country to cover live. Every local media network was in our office, almost daily, covering our dedicated, hard-working volunteers and supporters…we even had media from Japan, Germany and South Africa.
* If you go to www.fultongop.org and click on the Facebook link you will see the pictures of most of these events.
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GOTV This past election cycle the Fulton GOP knocked on over 4,000 homes, sent out 80,000 pieces of literature, made over 90,000 phone calls and had an extensive Absentee Ballot program.
* If you go to www.fultongop.org and click on the Facebook link you will see pictures of our phone-banks. For the Saxby run-off we had 80 phones going at one time (RNC aided).
Membership Over a period of only ten months we brought in hundreds of new faces. Together, we added more than 800 paid members…an increase of over 300%.
Ballot Security During the 2008 General Election we ran formal trainings for all of our Poll-Watchers. We had more than 90 Poll-Watchers for the November General Election and an additional 90 for the run-off (run-off was RNC aided). This was an increase of approximately 100% from 2004.
Technology The FCRP completely overhauled the website which continues to be improved (fultongop.org). I have a direct link to Twitter on the front page of the site and we now have a Facebook page with over 180 Friends. We also rose close to $100,000 online in advance ticket purchases for Special Events as well as Membership dues. Our volunteer computers have customized applications that help us with member retention and event organizing. Plans are in place to add an interactive module to our website to help members communicate with each other, and create a program allowing members to check their membership status. We have already added a link to our website for quick and effective e-update sign up. All it involves is entering your name and email address. Immediately, an email confirming the request is sent back to you along with a “Thank You” from the FCRP. Many more upgrades are on the way.
Special Events Our 2008 Legislative Lunch and Victory Dinner with Lt. Col. Oliver North broke all records in attendance and money raised.
Auxiliaries and Our mere presence at our new HQ location helped the North
Coalitions Fulton Republican Women bring in many new members. We raised thousands of dollars for the Atlanta and Buckhead Young Republicans. We also started the 2nd Amendment Coalition, the Veteran’s Coalition and the Faith and Values Coalition.
There is still plenty of work to be done. I would like our website to continue to raise the bar for Republican presence on the internet, and serve as a model for future generations. We need to have a comprehensive minority outreach plan, enhance our coalitions, and put an even stronger GOTV program together so we are ready for 2010.
I believe, together, we became the best GOP Organization in the state. Now, I want us to have one of the best in the country. With your continued support I have no doubt that we will accomplish that mission together and we will do what we do best…Elect Republicans.
Our accomplishments together remind me of something I heard Zell Miller once say, “When you’re walking down a country road and see a turtle on a fencepost you can be sure he didn’t get there by himself.” Everything accomplished over the past year was because of the incredible hard work and commitment of well over one hundred volunteers. Thank you for all you have done.
I would be honored and humbled if I can count on your support and endorsement for another term as your Chairman.
Semper Fidelis,
Shawn