ACTION PLANS FROM 2011 VADP BOARD RETREAT
Board Recruitment. Recruiting a minimum of 4-5 new board
members is a top priority. Any new board members must be
committed to VADP's agenda and to being part of a working board.
We want especially to recruit new board members who (a) have a law
enforcement background, (b) increase the board’s some political
diversity,(c) increase the board’s racial/ethnic diversity and (d) are
located in Tidewater and Southwest Virginia.
1. Process. After we identify someone who would like to join
the board, the board president (or a designee) will go over the board
manual and board member agreement with the new member to
confirm that the recruit is willing to take on the responsibilities of
being a board member. Then the board will vote whether to elect the
new member. Under our by-laws, a 2/3 majority vote is required to
elect board members.
2. Action Items. The following members/staff agreed to follow
up as follows with possible prospects:
a. Jon Sheldon will sound out Megan Shapiro. She is an
attorney with the NOVA Office of the Capital Defender.
b. Michael Stone will--
(1) identify and contact prospects from the
Tidewater area. Possible contacts include Jim Romeo, Bill Twine, and
Father Jim Griffin.
(2) sound out Terri Limo (spelling?) of St. Vincent's
Church.
c. Matt Engle will sound out Doug Ramsur's wife.
d. Steve Northup will--
(1) Sound out Michael Paul Williams, columnist for
Richmond Times Dispatch.
(2) Follow up with Tom Gallagher, CEO of the
Richmond area Better Business Bureau.
(3) Follow up with Beth Panilaitis.
(4) Sound out retired FBI agent Tom O'Donnell
(5) Meet with Mike Herring, Commonwealth's
Attorney for Richmond, and ask him for ideas.
Legislation. We decided on the following legislation objectives for
the next year.
1. Defeat any efforts to expand the death penalty.
2. Pursue the following discrete improvements that will help
capital defense lawyers:
a. Defense Based Victim Outreach. We need a statute to
authorize court appointment of a DBVO liaison to work with the
defense team in capital cases.
b. Bill Allowing Family Members of Condemned to Attend
the Execution.
c. Bill Requiring the Commonwealth to Await Conclusion
of Federal Habeas to Set an Execution Date.
Membership and Programs.
1. In Harrisonburg:
a. By January 2010, develop at least 30 members who will
contact Mark Obenshain about death penalty legislation.
b. Within 3-5 years, ensure that no legislator from the
Harrisonburg area is introducing death penalty expansion legislation.
2. In Tidewater:
a. Within the next 12 months, expand our presence in
Tidewater to the point that we are raising at least $10,000 annually
from churches and individuals.
b. Within 3-5 years, expand our presence in Tidewater to
the point that we are raising at least $25,000 annually from churches
and individuals.
3. Hold an annual meeting/conference in Charlottesville or
Richmond:
a. By the fall of 2010, that includes a nationally
recognized speaker, a dinner, and a program that presents
information about VADP's accomplishments. We will send two tickets
to each major donor and sell tickets to other attendees at $100/ticket.
b. Within 3-5 years, this will be an annual event that our
members and supporters enjoy and look forward to.
Communications.
1. Web site should be core communication vehicle for VADP
2. Goals for the coming year:
a. Update VADP web site -- cleaner, more functional,
clearer & easier to navigate. Use Google analytics to see which web
pages are being used & those not being used.
b. Update basic organizational information & post on web
site
(1) Brochure
(2) Fact sheets
c. Develop integrated use of social media -- Facebook,
Twitter, blogs
d. Develop clear communications calendar/schedule to
coordinate fundraising letters, e-newsletters, legislative updates, etc.
(1) To avoid having too much at any one time
(2) Ensure that all vehicles are reinforcing one
another for fund development, advocacy, etc.
e. Create a social media project -- podcasts & videos for
web site
(1) Professionally produced & edited
(2) Interviews with key VADP people -- Linell,
Gerry, Matt E Josh Wolfe case), John Whitehead, etc
(3) Short versions (3 minutes) for web site & social
media
(4) Longer versions (20-25 minutes) for video
presentations with small groups [including discussion questions]
f. Develop a task force to develop an organizational
communications strategy & guide implementation
(1) Members to include staff & Helena Cobban
(2) Seek communications professionals as volunteer
members (i.e., web designer)
(3) Perhaps contract with a communications expert
to review plans/messages from committee
Fundraising
1. By 2012, increase VADP’s annual financial support from
major donors, individuals, organizations and grants to $120,000.
2. By 2013, increase VADP’s annual financial support from
major donors, individuals, organizations and grants to $240,000.
3. In 2012, hold a signature fundraising event, such as a
concert with a major performer.
4. By 2012, increase major donors (>/= $500/year) from 22 to
50.
5. By 2013, increase major donors to 150
Next Steps
1. Put action plans on the Action calendar for VADP
2. Secure and install Salsa ASAP.
3. Launch our new Facebook page ASAP.
4. Send Spring fundraising letter ASAP.
5. Communication Task Force (see above) will schedule an
initial meeting.
6. Schedule the next Board meeting for mid to late June.
