OFA - Lost & Confused?
Today I received an email which, I think, should be considered a textbook case in how to alienate your base, and how NOT to fundraise. The email read:
"At midnight, we'll be closing out Organizing for Action's very first fundraising deadline.
Once that happens, your name will either be in the books, or it won't.
Close out this fundraising deadline knowing that you've stepped up and made a promise to be a part of the team fighting for change.
According to the record associated with this exact email address, you're currently not a founding member:
-- Organizing for Action member: No
-- Suggested donation today: $5
Donate $5 or more before midnight tonight and become a founding member of Organizing for Action:
https://donate.barackobama.com/...
Thanks,
Organizing for Action"
Really, OFA? So, all that work in 2007 and 2008 doesn't count? Running the campaign for you in a red, red county in '08 doesn't count? My previous donations to OFA (in any of it's various Obama/America variations) don't count? I was
"all in" but now I either send you more money or I'm
all out? I was
"fired up and ready to go", but now I better send you some more cash, or I'm
fired and gone?
Well, I've got news for you... I wouldn't click a link in an email like that if you were gonna donate to me!
I've never been one to keep a relationship going with someone whose favorite tune is, "what have you done for me lately". I'm more of a "Stand By Me" and "Lean On Me" kind of guy. And I just feel like OFA's "True Colors" are shining through, and it turns out they meant "Signed, Sealed, Delivered" in the sense of the checks we're all expected to send them.
I still remember the email, a much better email, which I got from OFA after we won against impossible odds in 2008, asking what we should do. Should the aparatus we built go on? Should we take advantage of the infrastructure that grew up from the grass roots, and take on the issues that our great black hope would face? Was I in?
I was, enthusiastically. I was one of those people who voted to turn Obama For America into Organizing For America. But now OFA is in the middle of an identity crisis. They've changed their name, and their legal status, and now, apparently, they're ready for Action. Well, it's about time!
But let's be clear about something - I ALREADY WAS A FOUNDING MEMBER OF OFA!
And you have a helluva lotta nerve to send me an email that says this is my last chance to become what I already am, and list me as "member: no". A lot of nerve!
Now, I'm not suggesting you become an elephant, for goodness sake. Please, anything but that! I like you just fine as a donkey, as long you're not being an ass. But I do think you need a longer memory. You sent an email to millions that completely disregards everything we've done for over half a decade now, and tells us we better pony up, or get bucked. I think alot of us are more likely to ride off into the sunset.
I'm wondering now... is it time for us to break up? I mean, you seem ready to leave me behind... I'll tell you this much, if we do, you won't be hearing, "it's not you, it's me." You'll be hearing "I Will Survive". Through the door.