Table of contents chapter 1: Democratic Government 3

Finalizing a Strategic Plan

Before developing a detailed plan, the party must attempt to identify several possible alternative approaches. The first idea embraced by the party is not necessarily the best or most effective option. It is important that a party consider several ideas, list their advantages, disadvantages and overall chances of success.

When a party has a clear grasp of the situation, and a realistic understanding of its strengths and weaknesses, it can finalize a strategic plan with a strong chance of success.

Implementing the Strategy

Once the strategic plan has been finalized, the next step is implementing the plan itself. Successfully implementing a plan depends on effective communication and scheduling.

An Example of a 5 Year Strategic Plan

ISSUE	OBJECTIVE	STRATEGY	ACTIVITY	INPUT	OUTPUT	ACTORS	TIME	BUDGET
Performance in Elections	Appraise Performance	Evaluate Performance in General Elections	1. Design an appraisal tool. 2.Map out the appraisal area and target group 3.Raise funds for the exercise and carry out the activity	Funds Experts Secretariat support ICT Resources Transport Resources	Appraisal report. Awareness of what influenced performance during elections	Party leadership Experts	Post Election year	10million
Strengthening the Party	Address the challenges experienced during elections.	Recruitment drive. Resource mobilization Review party policies	Hold rallies to popularize the party’ Undertake fundraising activities Collect views from members on issues that the party should address	Leadership guidance Volunteers Fundraisers. Technical experts	Increased membership Party visibility Funds to implement party plans Popular and acceptable party policies	Party leaders and supporters	Second year after elections	50 million
Capacity building for party officials and secretariat staff	Enhance service delivery by party officials and secretariat staff	Identification of skill and knowledge required by the Officials and staff involved in party organization and management	Hold skills training seminars for party officials and staff	Resources Political good will. Membership support Technical support.	Efficient service delivery in the party A professional managed party A party, which can attract mass membership.	Party officials and staff’ Membership. Technical staff	Third year after elections	15 million
Enhancing the party’s image and visibility in readiness for elections	Attract voters and members to the party’	Draw programs and activities to increase parties visibility Engage in resource mobilization to finance the party	Undertake community activities to increase party visibility Engage in fund raising Disseminate party policy documents	Funds. Human Resources Party policy documents	Healthy resource base A popular party	Party leaders Party supporters/Activists	Fourth after elections	55 million
Party internal nominations and elections General Elections	To attract leaders into the party Map candidates and aspirants Draw voters and members into the party	Hold membership recruitment drives Carry out party elections. Hold nominations for the general elections	Hold rallies and other methods of recruitment Carry out nominations for party candidates for the general elections	Funds Membership Aspirants Candidates	Resources Members Supporters Voters Leaders Candidates	Party leaders and officials	Election year	100 million

CHAPTER ELEVEN

FUNDRAISING STRATEGIES

Overview

The purpose of this chapter is to discuss the various strategies party officials utilize to mobilize resources and fundraise.

Functioning parties in a democracy need appropriate funding to exist and succeed. Political financing is a vital aspect of party politics. Resource mobilization refers to fundraising strategies that parties adopt to support and implement their programs and activities as stated in their mission. Parties normally have specific goals and objectives, which are articulated in their policy documents. The realization of those goals and objectives is dependent on the availability of resources. Fundraising constitutes one of the challenging and important activities of a party. There are many methods that a party uses to generate funds based on their need.