Providers’ Council

Member Login

Follow @MassCouncil on Twitter

RT @TheCaringForce: RT @thehomeorg: Are you graduating from college this weekend and looking for a job? We're hiring! @TheCaringForce @EmersonSLCA

CareVote

The Providers' Council and the CareVote Campaign want to work with you to design and implement a plan that will encourage as many people as possible to vote in this important election. 

Plan to "Voterize" in 2012, and make the spirit of this civic engagement effort a daily part of meeting your mission in this critical election year!

Here's some key information to help nonprofits like yours voterize now:

START-UP STEPS

  • Create a plan for voter participation activities (registration, education, getting out to vote)
  • Confirm support from the Board of Directors and Executive Director/CEO
  • Download our campaign flyer, make note of the important dates and post it in a visible location around your office.
  • Become a CareVote Captain and/or endorse the CareVote campaign by downloading this form, filling it out and sending it back! E-mail it to carevote@providers.org or fax it to 617.428.1533.
  • Appoint an internal person to coordinate voter activities with the Providers' Council and CareVote.

VOTER REGISTRATION: STAFF, BOARD, CLIENTS AND CONSUMERS

  • Voterize! Combine voter registration with normal activity such as orientation of new hires, intake, home visits, community meetings, visits with parents, etc.
  • Put voting awareness messages and our flyer in key locations around your office
  • Make registration forms easily available.  They can normally be acquired from your city or town hall.
  • Designate person to acquire and then deliver forms to appropriate local election office(s).
  • Announce your voter registration campaign and alert local media. Let Bill Yelenak know if you want help writing a release.

VOTER EDUCATION

  • Sponsor a nonpartisan election event (candidate forum, debate, issue education).
  • Contact the media. A trip to the elections office is a potential news story. Take a camera and give a good photo to your local paper, which your representatives and senators read!
  • Contact the Election Department to bring in a sample voting machine for your lobby or a special event
  • Put election information in employee communications, like electronic newsletters or in paycheck envelopes.
  • And don't forget -- nonprofits can advocate for or against ballot questions!


RECEIVE MATERIALS FROM THE PROVIDERS' COUNCIL

In the past, the Council has provided its members with materials. We hope to provide these materials again in 2012, including: 

  • CareVote buttons
  • CareVote posters
  • Newsletter articles you can modify for your own use
  • A template for small cards you can produce with voter registration information. Good for off-site consumers/clients and staff or payroll stuffers
  • Leaflets and other pamphlets on how to get forms, how to fill them out and how to return them.

In orer to get new materials when they are distributed, make sure you sign up as a CareVote partner.


OTHER TOTALLY IMPORTANT STUFF!

  • Keep it legal. Avoid perceptions of "politicizing" this campaign. Make it a voluntary, non-partisan effort and ensure people don't feel pressured or coerced to support one candidate or another.
  • The Secretary of State has registration forms in Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, Vietnamese, Russian, Khmer, Haitian Creole, as well as in English.
  • Periodically ask whether the board and staff have updated their voter registration. If they move, they must re-register.
  • Send information on your agency to candidates running for office. Invite all candidates to your programs for a tour.
  • Check out our national partner, Nonprofit Vote, for more information.

KEY DATES

  • Wednesday, Febraury 15 - Deadline to Register for the Massachusetts Presidential Primary
  • Tuesday, March 6 - Presidential Primary Election
  • Friday, August 17 - Deadline to Register for the Massachusetts State Primary
  • Thursday, September 6 - Massachusetts State Primary Election
  • Wednesday, October 17 - Deadline to Register for the General Election
  • Tuesday, November 6 - General Election

CareVote is an initiative of the Providers' Council. Thanks to the Nonprofit VOTE for this checklist, which we have adapted. Visit them at their website.