A Checklist of Things To Do

A Checklist of Things To Do

_____	Make a list of every town in which you do business
_____	Get phone number and call Town Clerk
_____	Get list of names of Mayor, City Council Members
_____	Get biographies of each person
_____	Get date of next election for each
_____	Get list of community organizations and list of leader
_____	Ask to be put on mailing list of Council hearings
_____	Add names to your datafile
_____	Link names to communities
_____	Link names to organizations their biographies say they belong to
_____	Link to a calendar of upcoming election dates
_____	Call a meeting of all competitors in area
_____	Explain purpose of meeting/give each a manual
_____	Ask each to review list of elected officials
_____	Note who knows whom
_____	Ask each to review list of organizations
_____	Note which organizations each belongs to
_____	Divide up territory in terms of monitoring communities
_____	Get FAX number of all competitors
_____	Make a date for second meeting
_____	Add information received into database
_____	Set up BROADCAST or GLOBAL FAX for alerting competitors/suppliers
_____	Visit customers
_____	Show video "The Value of Turf to Water Quality & the Environment," if time permits
_____	Add to list to get mailings on key subjects—this information could go with monthly invoices
_____	If friendly, have name, phone number available to ask to attend hearing in their town—only if needed
_____	Call elected officials
_____	Make date to visit
_____	Show video—Value of Turf to Water Quality & Environment
_____	Pitch as you would any prospective customer (MAKE NO SPECIAL DEALS)
_____	Evaluate as SAINT, SINNER, SAVABLE. You'll know "sinners" by responses
_____	Call local newspapers
_____	Get name of editor
_____	Get name of reporter who covers local towns
_____	Subscribe
_____	Advertise, only if your budget permits, and even modestly, periodically
_____	Ask to be sent guidelines for writing Letters to the Editor
_____	Make an appointment with Editor
_____	Pitch him as you would prospective customer (MAKE NO SPECIAL DEALS)
_____	Show video
_____	Ask an employee/spouse to monitor newspapers sections: Official Notices and Letters to the Editor
_____	Get phone number of local radio shows with TALK shows
_____	Call, get number for call-in to TALK show
_____	Get name of producer or assignment editor for TALK show
_____	Add to database
_____	Send information about local elected officials, editors, talk shows to PLCAA
_____	Register to vote
_____	Get number of voting district from Town Clerk, Board of Elections, Elections Registrar or League of Women Voters
_____	Get your employees/their spouses registered, if eligible
_____	Add to your data file the following on all employees: Congressional District, State Senate District, State Representative/Assemblyman District, County District (if applicable), and Local Community District (Indicate A.L. if all run AT LARGE)
_____	If an ordinance is pending, read checklist on page 21 of this Manual
_____	Organize phone tree, use Global Fax
_____	Decide whether to testify or simply to attend
_____	If plan to testify, read checklist of things to do on page 25 of this Manual
_____	GET THERE EARLY!!!!!
_____	PACK HEARING WITH FRIENDS
_____	If you decide to collect petitions, send mailgrams, see page 26 of this Manual
_____	Follow-up with Thank You note
_____	Call local community groups
_____	Get information about meetings
_____	Following PLCAA Brochures on Hand in Ample Supply: 1. ABCs of Turf Benefits 2. A Healthy Lawn is in Your Best Interest 3. A Sanctuary for Your Backyard 4. Grasscycling Guide 5. Tips on Choosing a Lawn Care Service 6. What You Should Know About Lawn Care Products & Services (Q & A) 7. Water Quality and Your Lawn 8. Pets and Lawn Care
_____	Use PLCAA's Message Points on page 52 of this manual (call PLCAA for updates)

PLCAA:
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Phone: 800-458-3466
E-Mail: plcaa@plcaa.org
Web Site: www.plcaa.org
Call your PLCAA headquarters for information and advice on government relations, community affairs and media relations!