Against All Odds: Winning A Millage In an Uncertain ... Presentations/Against All... · Against All Odds: Winning A Millage In an Uncertain Environment Presented by: Kojo A. Quartey,

Against All Odds: Winning A Millage In an Uncertain Environment

Presented by:Kojo A. Quartey, PresidentMary Kay Thayer, Trustee

Monroe County Community College

"Don't let the fear of losing be greater than the excitement of winning."

- Robert Kiyosaki

Presentation Description

Monroe County Community College

(MCCC), located in Southeast Michigan,

won a millage in the November 2017

election. The College took the lessons

learned from its loss two years ago to

develop a carefully crafted strategy that led

to victory in a very uncertain environment.

OUTCOMES/OBJECTIVES OF THIS

PRESENTATION

1. Perseverance in the face of adversity

2. Strategies to generate additional local

funding by galvanizing the community

3. Leveraging the media and state funding

for millage success

4. How leadership can make a difference in

the face of opposition

Article from Monroe News,

Monday Dec. 5, 2016

“MCCC Listened and millage passed”

“…. Dr. Quartey remained steadfastly optimistic throughout

the campaign. He believed the millage would pass. The

president, along with a small group of students and college

representatives, spent countless hours canvassing

neighborhoods throughout the county to deliver the message.

The millage was needed. The message was clear and spelled

out in detail. The request passed.”

Community and Institutional Background

• Monroe County is located in Southeast Michigan, approx. 30 miles south of Detroit and 20 miles north of Toledo, Ohio

• A rural community with 19 municipalities

• Population is 155,000, 94% Caucasian

College Profile• Founded in 1964 – the only college in the county

• Serves 7000 credit students and 5000 non-credit students annually

• Has two locations in the county

• Has two four-year institutions on its campuses

• 70% of county residents and or their family members have attended MCCC

• Cultural hub of the county

• 52% transfer programs, 48% occupational

The Uncertain Environment

• A very conservative, no new taxes county

• Many naysayers and gainsayers within and without

• Last Millage won was 36 years prior, by one vote after 12 attempts

• Missing some key endorsements

• Lost last attempt two years prior by a 40-60 margin (over 10,000 votes)

The Uncertain Environment (Cont’d.)

• Most populous municipality has/had an active opposition group

• An “outsider” president – a lonely start

• Faculty Union picketing on campus during campaign

• Another local millage on the ballot

• Large rural agricultural population reluctant to pay additional taxes

The Uncertain Environment (Cont’d.)

• Large senior population unwilling to pay additional taxes

• Lukewarm internal support from faculty, staff, and students – a 5% chance-really!

• Lack of active participation by internal stakeholders

• In many ways, our strategy fell apart

The General

Strategy

MILLAGE STRATEGY OUTLINE

• ENGAGE – leave not one municipality untouched. Ensure a positive message to all

• EMBRACE – leverage township/village/city officials, students, and faculty - attend meetings

• EDUCATE – send the right message. Tell the college story to all.

We are everywhere

• We are on TV, we are on the radio, we are

in the papers, we are on billboards, we are

in businesses, we are on social media,….

We are everywhere.

The Strategy: Leave No Stone Unturned

The Strategy

• Engage, embrace, educate --listen to your community

• Give the community ownership

• Live it breathe it

• Be positive--Proclaim it, claim it, receive it!

• Take your time

• Sometimes you win, sometimes you learn

• Send the right message

• Engage the opposition

The Strategy• The president must take control and lead – want

it so badly that you can taste it

• Play politician but be non-partisan

• You must have nothing better to do

• Who knows your county best, you or an outside consultant?

• Court them all

• Send the right message

• Put a detailed strategy on paper and share it

• Pray, pray, pray….

The Strategy

• Who wants to pay a “forever tax”?

• Who has an issue with us?

• Ignore the negatives

• Who has some affiliation with this college?

• Show your hand – transparency

• Get everyone involved – unions, commissioners, farmers, small businesses, students, faculty and staff, parents, media, politicians – everyone!!

Voting Results Precinct Map

Voting Results Comparison 2016 Voting Results 2014 Voting Results

Township Pop Rank2016

TotalVoters

Yes No Rank2014

TotalVoters

Yes No Yes %Diff + -

City of Monroe 20,733 1 7,850 4,804(61.2%)

3,046(38.8%)

1 5,039 2,791(55%)

2,149(45%)

+6.2

Monroe Charter 14,568 2 5,698 3479(61.1%)

2219(39.9%)

2 3,886 1,821(49%)

1,965(51%)

+11.1

Petersburg 1,146 3 444 262(59%)

182(41%)

5 335 146(44%)

189(56%)

+15

Frenchtown 20,428 4 8,069 4,582(56.8%)

3,487(48.2%)

3 5,005 2,411 (48%)

2,594 (52%)

+8.8

Raisinville 4,896 5 2,919 1,637(56.1%)

1,282(43.9%)

6 1754 743(42%)

1,011(58%)

+14.1

Ida 4,949 6 2,281 1,217(53.4%)

1064(46.6%)

8 1,631 655 (40%)

976 (60%)

+13.4

Dundee Twp 6,341 7 3,050 1,611(52.8%)

1,439(47.2%)

7 1,956 805 (41%)

1,151 (59%)

+11.8

Berlin 6,924 8 4,005 2,072(51.7%)

1,933(49.3

7 2,776 1,138 (41%)

1,638 (59%)

+10.7

LaSalle 5,001 9 2,361 1,215(51.5%)

1146(48.5%)

6 1,511 629 (42%)

882 (58%)

+9.5

2016/2014 Voting Results Comparison

Voting Results Comparison

2016 Voting Results 2014 Voting Results

TWP Pop Rank2016

TotalVoters

Yes No Rank2014

TotalVoters

Yes No Yes %Diff + -

Erie 4,517 10 1,740 871(50.1%)

869(49.9%)

9 783 295 (38%)

488 (62%)

+12.1

Summerfield 3,233 11 1,391 653(46.9%)

738(63.1%)

12 958 313(33%)

645(67%)

+13.9

Exeter 3,727 12 1,921 887(46.2%)

1034(53.8%)

10 1,280 450 (35%)

830 (65%)

+13.2

Milan Township 5,867 13 830 381(45.9%)

449(54.1%)

12 577 188(33%)

389(67%)

+12.9

Luna Pier 1,436 14 613 279(45.5%)

334(54.5%)

11 407 142(35%)

265(65%)

+10.5

*Bedford 28,606 15 14,185 6,454(45.4%)

7,730(55.6%)

14 9,997 2,805(28%)

7,192 (72%)

+17.4

London 3,024 16 1,190 498(41.8%)

692(58.2%)

13 794 234 (29%)

560 (71%)

+12.8

*Ash 8,500 17 3,451 1,420(41.1%)

2,031(59.9%)

4 2,361 1,100 (47%)

*1,261 (53%)

-5.9

Whiteford 4,420 18 1,972 801(40.6%)

1,171(59.4%)

13 1,026 298(29%)

728(71%)

+11.6

Milan City 1,670 19 737 270(37%)

467(63%)

12 577 188(33%)

389(67%)

+4

2016/2014 Voting Results Comparison(Cont’d.)

Resolutions of Support, Endorsements, PAC Donations

Resolution of Support

Monroe County Farm Bureau

United Way of Monroe County

Monroe Center for Healthy Aging

Monroe Bank & Trust

5th Third Bank

River Raisin National Battlefield Park

Summerfield School District

Monroe County Intermediate School District

United Way of Monroe County

Resolutions of Support, Endorsements, PAC Donations

Endorsements

The Carpenters Union, Local 687

UAW, Local 723

Monroe County Democratic Party

IBEW Local 8

PAC Donations Donation

Joe Bellino $500

The Carpenters Union, Local 687 $5,000

UAW, Local 723 $500

IBEW Local 8 $500

MTS Seating $500

Monroe Bank & Trust $500

THE MCCC Story

Campaign Strengths

• A strong, clear and positive strategy (No consultant)

• Every positive point needs to be leveraged

• Determination and resolve of leadership

• Intensive and extensive relationship building before the millage and behind the scenes – we listened, we engaged, we embraced

Campaign Strengths

• Clear, succinct, strong and bold message

• Media presence/efforts on Facebook and Internet

– Advertising Budget: $8,481.89

– Reach 215,537;

– Impressions: 851,005

– Post engagements: 7,272

– Post Clicks: 12,551

– Link clicks: 2,818

– Post shares: 545

– Post Comments: 599

– Post Reactions: 3,308

– Page Likes: 293

“During the 5-month Millage Facebook advertising campaign, communication regarding the 5-Year maintenance and Improvement Millage was facilitated via Facebook post with messaging targeting specific audiences. By creating focused content, applying a $8,500 advertising budget and utilizing various target audiences, the Page’s total reach throughout the time period was 215,537 and the impressions amounted to over 851,000. This departure from traditional advertising allowed the college to create a two-way conversation with the community, providing the opportunity to clear up misunderstandings of how millage funds would be used, and further showcase the college’s commitment to enriching lives.” ~ Millage: Facebook Ad Campaign – July –November 2016

Campaign Strengths

• Leverage the media

• Door-to-door canvassing

• Appoint a number of committed and dedicated champions

• Knowing our position without polling

• Reduction of millage request from .95 to .85 mill

Campaign Strengths (cont’d.)

• Viability and focus on the Whitman Center and Bedford – a separate South County Strategy

• Focus in final weeks on mail and paper box slots

• An intentional outreach to churches

• Meetings in Bedford with the Citizens for Fiscal Responsibility and Bedford Renaissance

• Presentations to townships and seniors, including IHM


• Support and assistance of the unions (contributed to PAC, canvassed, and placed yard signs)

• State of the College address focused on the millage

• Robo-calls made by the Democratic Party the night before the election

• Numerous endorsements, especially the Farm Bureau and County Commissioners

• We persisted and persevered to the very end.

On October 18, 2016, President

Kojo Quartey addressed the

Monroe County Board of

Commissioners. The result was

an endorsement from the entire

County.


• Voter registration efforts on campus and students voting

• Engaging the Middle College

• Several editorials and the kind treatment by the Monroe News and Monroe County Radio

• Positive attitude of our community supporters

• Yard signs in key areas

• Engaging educators


• An aggressive campaigning schedule

• Daylight savings time allowed for late campaigning

Campaign Strengths (cont’d.)DAY DATE LOCATION TYPE

Monday August 22 (2-4 hours) Milan, London, Exeter, Ash, Maybee

Businesses, Churches, Senior Centers

Tuesday August 23 (2-4 hours) Milan, London, Exeter, Ash, Maybee


Tuesday August 23, 7:00-8:00pm Dundee Twp Mtg 179 Main St., Dundee, MI 48131

Wednesday August 24 (2-4 hours) Milan, London, Exeter, Ash, Maybee


Thursday August 25 (2-4 hours) Milan, London, Exeter, Ash, Maybee


Thursday August 25, 7:00-8:00pm City of Luna Pier City Hall, 4357 Buckeye St., Luna Pier, MI

Friday August 25 (2-4 hours) Milan Twp & City Neighborhoods

Saturday August 27 (2-4 hours) London Neighborhoods

Sunday August 28 (2-4 hours) Exeter & Maybee Neighborhoods


Monday August 29 (2-4 hours) Berlin, S. Rockwood, Estral Beach


Tuesday August 30 (2-4 hours) Berlin, S. Rockwood, Estral Beach


Wednesday August 31 (2-4 hours) Berlin, S. Rockwood, Estral Beach


Thursday September 1 (2-4 hours) Berlin, S. Rockwood, Estral Beach


Friday September 2 (2-4 hours) Ash & Carleton Neighborhoods

Saturday September 3 (2-4 hours) Berlin, S. Rockwood, Estral Beach

Neighborhoods

Sunday September 4 (2-4 hours) Dundee Neighborhoods

Monday September 5 (2-4 hours) Dundee, Raisinville, Frenchtown, City of Monroe

Neighborhoods

Tuesday September 6 (2-4 hours) Dundee, Raisinville, Frenchtown, City of Monroe

Neighborhoods


Tuesday September 6, 7:00-8:00pm(early in the meeting)

Raisinville Twp Mtg 96 Ida-Maybee Rd., Monroe, MI 48161

Tuesday September 6, 7:30-8:30pm(later in the meeting)

City of Monroe Mtg 120 East First St., Monroe,MI 48161

Wednesday September 7 (2-4 hours) Dundee, Raisinville, Frenchtown, City of Monroe


Thursday September 8 (2-4 hours) Dundee, Raisinville, Frenchtown, City of Monroe


Thursday September 8, 7:00-8:00pm(early in the meeting)

Milan Twp Mtg 16444 Cone Rd., Milan, MI 48160

Friday September 9 (6 hours) Raisinville Neighborhoods

Saturday September 10, (6 hours) Frenchtown Neighborhoods

Sunday September 11 (6 hours) Frenchtown Neighborhoods

Monday September 12 (2-4 hours) Monroe Twp, LaSalle, Erie, Luna Pier



Monday September 12, 7:00-8:00pm (earlier in the meeting)

Carleton Twp Mtg 1230 Monroe St., Carleton, MI 48117

Monday September 12, 7:30-8:30pm (later in the meeting)

London Twp Mtg 13613 Tuttlehill Rd., Milan, MI 48160

Tuesday September 13 (2-4 hours) Monroe Twp, LaSalle, Erie, Luna Pier


Wednesday September 14 (2-4 hours) Monroe Twp, LaSalle, Erie, Luna Pier


Wednesday September 14, 7:30-8:30pm Village of Maybee Mtg 9051 Raisinville Rd., Maybee, MI 48159

Thursday September 15 (2-4 hours) Monroe Twp, LaSalle, Erie, Luna Pier


Friday September 16 (2-4 hours) Summerfield, Petersburg Neighborhoods

Saturday September 17 (2-4 hours) Ida Neighborhoods

Sunday September 18 (2-4 hours) LaSalle Neighborhoods


Monday September 19 (2-4 hours) Summerfield, Petersburg, Whiteford


Monday September 19, 6:30-7:30pmearlier in the meeting)

Summerfield Twp Mtg 26 Saline St., Petersburg, MI 49270

Monday September 19, 7:00-8:00pm(later in the meeting)

Petersburg Twp Mtg 24 E Center St., Petersburg, MI 49270

Tuesday September 20 11:30-12:30pm

Berlin Senior Group 8000 Swan view Dr., Newport, MI 48166

Tuesday September 20 (2-4 hours) Summerfield, Petersburg, Whiteford


Tuesday September 20 7:00-8:00pm(earlier in the meeting)

Bedford Twp Mtg 8100 Jackman Rd.,Temperance, MI 48182

Tuesday September 20 7:30-8:30pm(later in the meeting)

Whiteford Twp Mtg 8000 Yankee Rd., Ottawa Lake, MI 49267

Tuesday September 20 7:00-8:00pm(earlier in the meeting)

Monroe Charter Twp Mtg 4925 Dunbar Rd., Monroe, MI 48161

Tuesday September 20 7:00-8:00pm(later in the meeting)

Exeter Twp Mtg 6158 Scofield Rd., Maybee, MI 48159


Wednesday September 21 (2-4 hours) Summerfield, Petersburg, Whiteford


Thursday September 22 (2-4 hours) Summerfield, Petersburg, Whiteford


Friday September 23 (2-4 hours) Whiteford Neighborhoods

Saturday September 24 (2-4 hours) Bedford Neighborhoods

Sunday September25 (2-4 hours) Bedford Neighborhoods

Monday September 26 (2-4 hours) Bedford Businesses, Churches, Senior Centers

Tuesday September 27 (2-4 hours) Bedford Businesses, Churches, Senior Centers

Tuesday September 27, 7:00-8:00pm Frenchtown Charter Twp 2744 Vivian Rd., Monroe, MI 48162

Wednesday September 28 (2-4 hours) Bedford Businesses, Churches, Senior Centers


Thursday October 6 (2-4 hours) Milan, London, Exeter. Ash, Maybee

REPEAT: Businesses, Churches, Senior Centers

Friday October 7 (6 hours) City of Monroe Neighborhoods

Saturday October 8 (6 hours) City of Monroe Neighborhoods

Saturday October 9 (6 hours) Milan (Twp & City) RE-CANVASS

Monday October 10 (2-4 hours) Berlin, S. S. Rockwood, Estral Beach


Tuesday October 11, 7:00-8:00pm Berlin, S. Rockwood, Estral Beach

REPEAT; Businesses, Churches, Senior Centers

Tuesday October 11 (2-4 hours) Erie Twp Mtg 2065 Erie Rd., Erie, MI 48133

Wednesday October 12 (2-4 hours) Berlin, S. Rockwood, Estral Beach


Thursday October 13 (2-4 hours) Berlin, S. Rockwood, Estral Beach



Friday October 14 (6 hours) London RE-CANVASS

Saturday October 15 (6 hours) Exeter & Maybee RE-CANVASS

Sunday October 16 (6 hours) Ash & Carleton RE-CANVASS

Monday October 17 (2-4 hours) Dundee, Raisinville, Frenchtown, City of Monroe


Tuesday October 18 (2-4 hours) Dundee, Raisinville, Frenchtown, City of Monroe


Wednesday October 19 (2-4 hours) Dundee, Raisinville, Frenchtown, City of Monroe


Thursday October 20 (2-4 hours) Dundee, Raisinville, Frenchtown, City of Monroe


Friday October 21 (2-4 hours) S. Rockwood, Berlin, Estral Beach

RE-CANVASS

Saturday October 22 (2-4 hours) Dundee RE-CANVASS


Sunday October 23 (6 hours) Raisinville RE-CANVASS

Monday October 24 (2-4 hours) Monroe Twp, LaSalle, Erie,, Luna Pier


Tuesday October 25 (2-4 hours) Monroe Twp, LaSalle, Erie,, Luna Pier


Wednesday October 26 (2-4 hours) Monroe Twp, LaSalle, Erie,, Luna Pier


Wednesday October 26, 3:00-4:00pm IHM 610 W. Elm, Monroe, MI 48162

Thursday October 27 (2-4 hours) Monroe Twp, LaSalle, Erie,, Luna Pier


Friday October 28 (6 hours) Frenchtown, Monroe City & Twp


Saturday October 29 (6 hours) Frenchtown 2744 Vivian Rd., Monroe, MI 48162

Sunday October 30 (6 hours) Summerfield & Petersburg Businesses, Churches, Senior Centers


Monday October 31 (2-4 hours) Summerfield, Petersburg, Whiteford


Tuesday November 1 (2-4 hours) Summerfield, Petersburg, Whiteford


Wednesday November 2 (2-4 hours) Summerfield, Petersburg, Whiteford


Thursday November 3 (2-4 hours) Summerfield, Petersburg, Whiteford


Friday November 4 (6 hours) Ida RE-CANVASS

Saturday November 5 (6 hours) LaSalle, Erie, Luna Pier RE-CANVASS

Sunday November 6 (6 hours) Bedford & Whiteford RE-CANVASS

Monday November 7 (2-4 hours) Bedford REPEAT: Businesses, Churches, Senior Centers

Tuesday November 8 (2-4 hours) Bedford REPEAT: Businesses, Churches, Senior Centers

Campaign Weaknesses

• Our strategy on paper fell apart

• Inability to access and leave material in rural areas and other mailbox slots

• Lack of signs in many municipalities

• Inability to campaign in all areas equally

Opportunities

• Lessons learned from the successful strategies

• Taking a page from this victory to assist with recruitment efforts

• Engaging townships where we lost

• Uniting all constituencies for a stronger MCCC and community

• Additional capital requests to the State

Lessons Learned

• Positivity and perseverance NEVER fail

• “Drop and leave” works when the number of canvassers is limited

• Deliver information to rural areas by mail and use of mailbox slots

Lessons Learned (cont’d.)

• The plan was a good plan

• Consultants are NOT always the best option

• Partnerships work

• “Champions” make a difference

• How do we leverage this success to better serve our community?

After the Victory• SAY “THANK YOU!” Attendance at

township/village/city meetings thanking them for their vote of confidence

• Say nothing negative

• Find new and innovative ways of serving the county

• Continue to remain fiscally responsible and accountable to the tax payers

• Planning to ensure that funds are used as indicated during the campaign

• Continue to update the community

A vote for our community and a vote for our youth

and future!

Thank You!!

Documents

Against All Odds: Winning A Millage In an Uncertain ... Presentations/Against All... · Against All Odds: Winning A Millage In an Uncertain Environment Presented by: Kojo A. Quartey,