At the risk of offending more readers like this one, I call your attention to the following press release this afternoon from the Liberal Party of Canada. That party — once known as the Big Red Machine — has been barely pale pink when it comes to finding new members or raising money in the last two or three years. Meanwhile, the Big Blue Machine has steamrolled all comers, consistently raising twice as much than all other federal parties combined from twice as many donors as all other parties combined. Liberals know that their political survival, let alone success, depends on them being able to at least do as well as the New Democrats when it comes to filling a war chest.
That is precisely why Rocco Rossi was named the party's exec director and why Bay Street lawyer Alfred Apps easily won the party's presidency. Both men have a long history of finding money for this cause or that one.
Mr. Apps explained that there are two main aspects to the fundraising plan, which was approved by the National Board of Directors, in consultation with the Council of Presidents. The first, to be called “The Leader’s Circle”, will create a group of existing donors responsible for encouraging the recruitment of new Laurier Club members. The second, designed to mark the first anniversary of the Victory Fund, will kick-start a two-year drive for growth in grassroots fundraising.
In addition to these fundraising initiatives, the plan also includes efforts to double the Party’s membership by Labour Day. This program, dubbed “The Power of One”, calls on every current member to recruit just one new member – a tradition the Party hopes will continue for generations of Liberals to come.
“What sets this membership and fundraising drive apart from others is the ambition, leadership and organizational strength of our Board of Directors,” said Rocco Rossi, National Director of the Liberal Party. “The energy and enthusiasm of our team will secure the long-term stable funding our Party needs to hold the Conservative to account, and to form the next government of Canada.”
These programs include a grassroots campaign which will capitalize on web-based social media to reach out to potential members and donors. In addition to more than doubling the membership, the Party hopes these initiatives increase fundraising levels to over $25 million on an annualized basis by 2011.