Revision history for Appendix
Revision [14224]
Last edited on 2015-02-16 08:35:45 by KristenVicedomini [removed outdated references]Additions:
- If you have a contact person, ask if you may speak with him or her
- If you don't have a specific contact, ask to speak with the person responsible for legislative affairs
- If there is nobody with that job description, explain that you are calling to inquire whether the organization does evaluations of the state legislature, such as scorecards, ratings, voting records or endorsements, and is there someone with whom you could speak
1) Your name
1) Phone number: 406-859-8683 (MT Office)
1) Hours when you can be reached: 8:00am to 5:00pm (Mountain Time)
1) A brief message that you are calling to learn whether their organization does evaluations of members of congress, such as scorecards, ratings, voting records or endorsements
Project Vote Smart provides information about incumbents in six basic areas: biographical information, voting records, campaign finance records, issue positions (gathered from our own survey, the Political Courage Test), public statements, and special interest group ratings; it is regarding this last category that I contact you today. If [Organization] compiles scorecards, ratings, voting records, endorsements or any other type of performance evaluations for state legislators, we would like to make them available to voters through our database. Any ratings that we include will be fully attributed to your organization and will be accompanied by your mission statement, contact information and a direct link to your web site.
We look forward to this opportunity to collaborate with [Organization]. If you have any questions or would like more information about Project Vote Smart, please feel free to contact me at [phone number]. If you would like to send us ratings, please fax them to 520-626-8722, email them to ratings@vote-smart.org, or mail them to Project Vote Smart, [mailing address]
[an appropriate link on our website] or email me.
- If you don't have a specific contact, ask to speak with the person responsible for legislative affairs
- If there is nobody with that job description, explain that you are calling to inquire whether the organization does evaluations of the state legislature, such as scorecards, ratings, voting records or endorsements, and is there someone with whom you could speak
1) Your name
1) Phone number: 406-859-8683 (MT Office)
1) Hours when you can be reached: 8:00am to 5:00pm (Mountain Time)
1) A brief message that you are calling to learn whether their organization does evaluations of members of congress, such as scorecards, ratings, voting records or endorsements
Project Vote Smart provides information about incumbents in six basic areas: biographical information, voting records, campaign finance records, issue positions (gathered from our own survey, the Political Courage Test), public statements, and special interest group ratings; it is regarding this last category that I contact you today. If [Organization] compiles scorecards, ratings, voting records, endorsements or any other type of performance evaluations for state legislators, we would like to make them available to voters through our database. Any ratings that we include will be fully attributed to your organization and will be accompanied by your mission statement, contact information and a direct link to your web site.
We look forward to this opportunity to collaborate with [Organization]. If you have any questions or would like more information about Project Vote Smart, please feel free to contact me at [phone number]. If you would like to send us ratings, please fax them to 520-626-8722, email them to ratings@vote-smart.org, or mail them to Project Vote Smart, [mailing address]
[an appropriate link on our website] or email me.
Deletions:
ii) If you don't have a specific contact, ask to speak with the person responsible for legislative affairs
iii) If there is nobody with that job description, explain that you are calling to inquire whether the organization does evaluations of the state legislature, such as scorecards, ratings, voting records or endorsements, and is there someone with whom you could speak
(1) Your name
(2) Phone number: 520-626-8694 (AZ Office) or 406-859-8683 (MT Office)
(3) Hours when you can be reached: 8:00am to 5:00pm (Mountain Time)
(4) A brief message that you are calling to learn whether their organization does evaluations of members of congress, such as scorecards, ratings, voting records or endorsements
Project Vote Smart provides information about incumbents in five basic areas: biographical information, voting records, campaign finance records, issue positions (gathered from our own survey, the National Political Awareness Test) and special interest group ratings; it is regarding this last category that I contact you today. If [Organization] compiles scorecards, ratings, voting records, endorsements or any other type of performance evaluations for state legislators, we would like to make them available to voters through our database. Any ratings that we include will be fully attributed to your organization and will be accompanied by your mission statement, contact information and a direct link to your web site.
We look forward to this opportunity to collaborate with [Organization]. If you have any questions or would like more information about Project Vote Smart, please feel free to contact me at 520-626-8694. If you would like to send us ratings, please fax them to 520-626-8722, email them to ratings@vote-smart.org, or mail them to Project Vote Smart, 1133 E. Helen St., Tucson AZ 85728
http://www.votesmart.org/issue_rating_category_about.php or email me.
Revision [14199]
Edited on 2015-02-13 09:08:37 by KristenVicedomini [moved ratings blurb info to RatingsText]Deletions:
===Ratings Blurbs===
**STANDARD RATINGS BLURBS**
_General Blurb:_
[TITLE] [NAME] supported the interests of the [ORGANIZATION] [RATING] percent in [YEAR].
The following ratings indicate the degree that each elected official supported the interests of the organization in that year.
_Long Span Ratings:_
[TITLE] [NAME] supported the interests of the [ORGANIZATION] [RATING] percent from 'span.'
The following ratings indicate the degree that each elected official supported the interests of the organization from 'span.'
_Lifetime Ratings:_
[TITLE] [NAME] supported the interests of the [ORGANIZATION] [RATING] percent during their legislative career up until [YEAR].
The following ratings indicate the degree that each elected official supported the interests of the organization during their legislative career up until the current year.
_Multiple Ratings for a Single Group:_
[TITLE] [NAME] supported the interests of the [ORGANIZATION] on 'rating name' [RATING] percent in [YEAR].
The following ratings indicate the degree that each elected official supported the interests of the organization on 'rating name' in that year.
**Examples:**
[TITLE] [NAME] supported the interests of the [ORGANIZATION] on Food, Water and Ecological Health [RATING] percent in [YEAR].
//Make sure the blurb reads coherently. The word 'issues' can be inserted if needed.//
[TITLE] [NAME] supported the interests of the [ORGANIZATION] on Budget issues [RATING] percent in [YEAR].
**National Journal blurb:**
These are different because National Journal does not express a specific stance on any issue or issues.
According to the [ORGANIZATION]'s calculations, in [YEAR] [TITLE] [NAME] voted more conservative on defense and foreign policy issues than [NUMBER] percent of [TITLE]s.
The percentage means that they are more conservative on defense & foreign policy issues than that percentage of other Members.
**Point System Blurb:**
These are used when there are positive and negative points and not a set number of points.
Based on a point system, with points assigned for actions in support of or in opposition to [ORGANIZATION]'s position, [TITLE] [NAME] received a rating of [RATING].
The following ratings are based on point system designed by the organization. Points were assigned for actions either in support of or in opposition to the organization's position.
**Endorsement Blurb:**
In [YEAR] [ORGANIZATION] endorsed [TITLE] [NAME].
The organization endorsed the following representatives in that year.
**Exception Blurbs:**
Do not use these unless instructed.
In [YEAR] [ORGANIZATION] determined [TITLE] [NAME] to be [RATING].
In [YEAR] [ORGANIZATION] gave [TITLE] [NAME] a rating of [RATING].
//Rating descriptions will vary.//
Revision [2861]
Edited on 2009-08-17 12:25:47 by KristenVicedomini [moved ratings blurb info to RatingsText]Additions:
(2) Phone number: 520-626-8694 (AZ Office) or 406-859-8683 (MT Office)
(3) Hours when you can be reached: 8:00am to 5:00pm (Mountain Time)
(4) A brief message that you are calling to learn whether their organization does evaluations of members of congress, such as scorecards, ratings, voting records or endorsements
~- Explain that you are looking for performance evaluations, ratings, scorecards for members of congress or the state legislature (depending on whether you're collecting Federal or State Ratings)
Email: ratings@votesmart.org
Fax: 406-859-8680
1 Common Ground
Philipsburg, MT 59858
(3) Hours when you can be reached: 8:00am to 5:00pm (Mountain Time)
(4) A brief message that you are calling to learn whether their organization does evaluations of members of congress, such as scorecards, ratings, voting records or endorsements
~- Explain that you are looking for performance evaluations, ratings, scorecards for members of congress or the state legislature (depending on whether you're collecting Federal or State Ratings)
Email: ratings@votesmart.org
Fax: 406-859-8680
1 Common Ground
Philipsburg, MT 59858
Deletions:
(3) Hours when you can be reached: 8:00am to 5:00pm (Arizona Time)
(4) A brief message that you are calling to lear whether their organization does evaluations of members of congress, such as scorecards, ratings, voting records or endorsements
~- Explain that you are looking for performance evaluations for members of congress or the state legislature (depending on whether you're collecting Federal or State Ratings)
Email: ratings@vote-smart.org
Fax: 520-626-8722
1133 E. Helen St.
Tucson AZ, 85728
Additions:
**==== Appendix:====**
===Ratings Blurbs===
**STANDARD RATINGS BLURBS**
_General Blurb:_
_Long Span Ratings:_
_Lifetime Ratings:_
_Multiple Ratings for a Single Group:_
**Examples:**
//Make sure the blurb reads coherently. The word 'issues' can be inserted if needed.//
**National Journal blurb:**
These are different because National Journal does not express a specific stance on any issue or issues.
**Point System Blurb:**
These are used when there are positive and negative points and not a set number of points.
**Endorsement Blurb:**
**Exception Blurbs:**
Do not use these unless instructed.
//Rating descriptions will vary.//
===Contacting Templates===
**Calling Script**
~- Identify yourself: "Hello, my name is [first name] and I am calling from Project Vote Smart"
~- Getting to the right person:
~-If nobody answers, or you end up with the voice mail of your contact, leaving a message is fine; just be sure to leave all of the following:
(3) Hours when you can be reached: 8:00am to 5:00pm (Arizona Time)
(4) A brief message that you are calling to lear whether their organization does evaluations of members of congress, such as scorecards, ratings, voting records or endorsements
~- When you have reached the appropriate contact person, identify yourself again and ask if they are familiar with Project Vote Smart. Make sure to give a brief description:
~- Explain that you are looking for performance evaluations for members of congress or the state legislature (depending on whether you're collecting Federal or State Ratings)
**If they have ratings:**
2. If we have not received ratings from them before, ask if they would be willing to send us their evaluations for inclusion on our website.
~- Ask if they keep a regular mailing list, and request that PVS be added to it-that way we will get regular updates in the future.
~- Ask when and how often they generally release their ratings (especially if the most recent year is not yet ready) so that we know when to contact them in future.
**If they do not have ratings:**
~- Ask if they know of an affiliated organization that does compile performance evaluations; many groups that do not provide their own ratings will know of similar groups that do.
**For Hesitant Groups:**
~- Explain that we fully attributed to the group.
~- Tell them rating are accompanied by contact information, mission statement and web link to their homepage.
~- Suggest that they look at our website to learn more about Vote Smart and the ratings program.
~- Cite similar groups that already work with us-either a group with a similar mission, or a national parent-group, for example.
~- Alternately, you can mention that we have received ratings from an ideologically opposite group, and we would really like to balance the information with their own ratings.
**Getting the Ratings:**
**Official Ratings Request Letter**
**Sample Email Requests**
===Ratings Blurbs===
**STANDARD RATINGS BLURBS**
_General Blurb:_
_Long Span Ratings:_
_Lifetime Ratings:_
_Multiple Ratings for a Single Group:_
**Examples:**
//Make sure the blurb reads coherently. The word 'issues' can be inserted if needed.//
**National Journal blurb:**
These are different because National Journal does not express a specific stance on any issue or issues.
**Point System Blurb:**
These are used when there are positive and negative points and not a set number of points.
**Endorsement Blurb:**
**Exception Blurbs:**
Do not use these unless instructed.
//Rating descriptions will vary.//
===Contacting Templates===
**Calling Script**
~- Identify yourself: "Hello, my name is [first name] and I am calling from Project Vote Smart"
~- Getting to the right person:
~-If nobody answers, or you end up with the voice mail of your contact, leaving a message is fine; just be sure to leave all of the following:
(3) Hours when you can be reached: 8:00am to 5:00pm (Arizona Time)
(4) A brief message that you are calling to lear whether their organization does evaluations of members of congress, such as scorecards, ratings, voting records or endorsements
~- When you have reached the appropriate contact person, identify yourself again and ask if they are familiar with Project Vote Smart. Make sure to give a brief description:
~- Explain that you are looking for performance evaluations for members of congress or the state legislature (depending on whether you're collecting Federal or State Ratings)
**If they have ratings:**
2. If we have not received ratings from them before, ask if they would be willing to send us their evaluations for inclusion on our website.
~- Ask if they keep a regular mailing list, and request that PVS be added to it-that way we will get regular updates in the future.
~- Ask when and how often they generally release their ratings (especially if the most recent year is not yet ready) so that we know when to contact them in future.
**If they do not have ratings:**
~- Ask if they know of an affiliated organization that does compile performance evaluations; many groups that do not provide their own ratings will know of similar groups that do.
**For Hesitant Groups:**
~- Explain that we fully attributed to the group.
~- Tell them rating are accompanied by contact information, mission statement and web link to their homepage.
~- Suggest that they look at our website to learn more about Vote Smart and the ratings program.
~- Cite similar groups that already work with us-either a group with a similar mission, or a national parent-group, for example.
~- Alternately, you can mention that we have received ratings from an ideologically opposite group, and we would really like to balance the information with their own ratings.
**Getting the Ratings:**
**Official Ratings Request Letter**
**Sample Email Requests**
Deletions:
Appendix
STANDARD RATINGS BLURBS
General Blurb:
Long Span Ratings:
Lifetime Ratings:
Multiple Ratings for a Single Group:
Examples:
Make sure the blurb reads coherently. The word 'issues' can be inserted if needed.
National Journal blurb:
***Needed because National Journal does not express a specific stance on any issue or issues.
Point System Blurb (used when there are positive and negative points and not a set number of points):
Endorsement blurb:
Exception blurbs (do not use unless instructed):
Rating descriptions will vary.
Contacting Templates
Calling Script
* Identify yourself: "Hello, my name is [first name] and I am calling from Project Vote Smart"
* Getting to the right person:
iv) If nobody answers, or you end up with the voice mail of your contact, leaving a message is fine; just be sure to leave all of the following:
(3) Hours when you can be reached: 9:00am to 5:00pm (Arizona Time)
(4) A brief message that you are calling to enquire whether their organization does evaluations of members of congress, such as scorecards, ratings, voting records or endorsements
* When you have reached the appropriate contact person, identify yourself again and ask if they are familiar with Project Vote Smart. Make sure to give a brief description:
* Explain that you are looking for performance evaluations for members of congress
o If they have ratings:
2. If we have not received ratings from them before, ask if they would be willing to send us their evaluations for inclusion on our website
* Ask if they keep a regular mailing list, and request that PVS be added to it-that way we will get regular updates in the future
* Ask when and how often they generally release their ratings (especially if the most recent year is not yet ready) so that we know when to contact them in future
o If they do not have ratings:
* Ask if they know of an affiliated organization that does compile performance evaluations; many groups that do not provide their own ratings will know of similar groups that do.
For Hesitant Groups:
* Explain the details of how we post ratings
o Fully attributed to the group
o Accompanied by contact information, mission statement and web link to their homepage
* Suggest that they look at our website to learn more about Vote Smart and the ratings program.
* Cite similar groups that already work with us-either a group with a similar mission, or a national parent-group, for example. Alternately, you can mention that we have received ratings from an ideologically opposite group, and we would really like to balance the information with their own ratings.
Getting the Ratings:
Official Ratings Request Letter
Sample Email Requests
Deletions:
From an individual group's homepage, there will most often be a link to "Legislative Action Center" or "Political Action Center." This is the best clue that the group contracts with Capwiz. If such a link isn't obvious on the homepage, you may find it after a link or two to find; for example, you may first have to select a Political Resources link, which will then have a Legislative Action Center option.
The main Capwiz page embedded in a group's page or site always looks the same-though it will have more or less options depending on how many services the group buys. (A copy of the Capwiz "home" layout is included on the next page.) Once you get to this Home page, you can navigate by clicking on the tabs along the top.
To find ratings:
1. Click on the Issues & Legislation tab
2. Click on Key Votes at the top of the page
3. Scroll down; the scorecard links may be at the bottom of this page.
4. If not, there should be a "view all key votes" option directly below the shaded grid of votes; click on this.
5. Now scroll all the way to the bottom of the page; you should see the scorecard links. Senate and House are compiled separately.
Important Things to Remember About Capwiz:
* Capwiz compiles the voting records on an ongoing basis, as votes come to the floor throughout the Congressional session. Even if they are available on the web mid-year, the scorecards are not complete until after the session has ended! Do not enter (or even print) the scorecards before the end of the year.
* Oddly enough, Capwiz doesn't include the name of the group anywhere on their scorecard. Be sure to write out the full name as soon as you print the ratings, while you're still on the group's website.
* Finally, there are groups who do not want us to use Capwiz scorecards but instead use a rating they have done-example Gun Owners of America. They compile a Rating based on letter grades and prefer us to use those scores.
