Building a Better Redondo Past History - Starting a Land Use Initiative in your City?

BBR PAST HISTORY

Starting a Land Use Initiative in your City?

Some folks pay alot of money and hire consultants and paid volunteers to run their initiative and get signatures - we did it ourselves 99.9% ...

Some THINGS we learned:

- You'll need a fearless leader who understands the facts and how to communicate them.
- You'll need to talk to a Land Use Attorney to learn more about the initiative process in your state.
- You will need to become a PAC
- You'll need funding for printing, legal fees, advertising, bumper stickers, gas, etc.
- You will need to have an excellent volunteer coordinator and a location your signature gatherers can pick up their books
(You need to keep your signature gatherers motivated with lots of encouraging emails and even contests to see who can get the most signatures!)

- You will need dedicated signature gatherers who can stand in front of local grocery stores and explain your initiative and make sure that every signature is from a registered voter in your city and that they properly write their name and full address and city name or the county WILL reject them

- You need a place to meet to rally the troops now and then - this means food
- You need a website with ALOT of information for your volunteers and the public
- You need alot of printed flyers, door hangers, ads and signs - and you'll need copies for your volunteers to hand out. Make sure the info. is concise and positive. We avoided alot of bashing of the opposition and tried to stick to the issues.
- You will need people to continually write letters of support to the local media since the opposition will surely be doing the same
- Expect heavily funded opposition

We are by no means experts. These are just a few things we have learned.

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As mentioned above, if you are coordinating volunteer signature gatherers please be well organized! Your volunteers are on the front lines and need concise instructions.

For example, below is text we had on our Volunteer Tips page we had on the website during the signature gathering...notes like these help everyone ALOT!

Good Luck!

- BBR Mgmt.

A Few Tips for BBR Volunteers

TIPS PAGE

Welcome BBR Volunteers!

Haven't gotten your signature book yet?
Contact Gale at _______________________
Need to get signed up at a grocery store?
Contact Linda M our grocery store coordinator
Choose from Whole Foods, Albertsons, etc.
Linda's phone number here and email here

Tip #1: Be Prepared

- Bring your book & pens
- A hat, sunscreen and bottled water is a good idea
- Wear your BBR Button and/or a BBR T-Shirt
Need a BBR Tshirt? Contact Flo at: ____________________

Tip #2: What do I say?

Typical Lingo:
" Good Morning/Good Afternoon - are you a Redondo Registered Voter?" or "Hi. Are you registered to vote in Redondo?"
"You are? Great!" "Would you like to sign our petition?"
"Great! Are you currently registered at the address where you now live?"
"Fantastic! Sign Here. When you sign you'll need to write out Redondo Beach and make sure to put your full street address and signature. Thank you so much. Tell your friends!"

Many folks want more information before they sign. Give them a flyer. The flyer has the BBR website address and alot more facts. They can also read the RB City Atty's summary on each page of the initiative booklet as well as on the BBR website.

TWO simple things to remember:

-- The signatures are to put the Initiative on the Ballot. If we get enough signatures and we qualify for the ballot, then and only then can we vote on it.
-- The purpose of the Initiative is to give the people of Redondo a vote on Major Land Use Changes in the City of Redondo Beach. Currently, we cannot vote on these changes.

Tip #3:
Get it right. Remember to witness each signature and make sure your citizen is signing correctly. They must sign their full name as registered, the date, and their full address including spelling REDONDO BEACH, CA and the Zip Code!!

Only you and you alone can witness signatures. Please don't give your book to a friend or family member - keep it with you at all times. Also, only sign & date your booklet when it is completely filled and return your book to Gale's house where you first picked it up. Contact Gale to make sure she is home at phone number ____________.

Tip #4:
Ask everyone who passes you by.

If you find yourself skipping people you think are too young - think again. Do not discriminate on the basis of age, race or gender. Make sure and ask everyone if they are registered in Redondo and would like to sign!

Tip #5:
Have Fun!

This is serious business but you don't have to take it so seriously that it's not any fun. Getting signatures can be more enjoyable than you think and the amazing people you will meet and get a chance to talk to will more than compensate for your efforts. Your Redondo neighbors are grateful for your hard work.

Don't be surprised if you get a few thank you's!

We will soon begin the famous BBR signature contest. Please continue to send in your weeky counts to Gale when requested. It's critical to our effort - and for the contest. The challenge: Can you beat Mike P's record of 615 ?