The PPA, lets talk numbers vs results.

[DeadMoneyDad]

From a little digging and a little extrapolation, let us take a minute to look at some real numbers.

The PPA in the past two years or so has spent close to 1.5 million on lobbing efforts alone. Given some conservative estimates of expenditures on other consultants, other paid help, and freeroll sign up costs, you can extrapolate your own numbers. Very conservatively at least 3 million has been spent to date. These figures do not include any expenditure for the second half of '07.

Less than 6 months ago, before the budgets for '07 were written, there were something less than 300,000 members, and most of those were from past freeroll sign ups.

The actual cost to the PPA of all of those $5,000 freerolls is hard to calculate given the cross mix of sponsorship and leadership. Nevertheless, someone feels they paid that money regardless if the money actually went through the PPA budget directly. All of those costs should be consider at least donations in kind and money who's effectiveness is fairly questioned.

What exactly has been accomplished in real terms that actually affect the over all community?

We have 809,678 members, but the actual amount of money raised from other than the industry is a closely guarded secret, as well it should be.

We have 3 pieces of legislation percolating on the Hill. One is simply a study bill.

We have managed to make something of a media presence.

We have a website. I'll leave out the forum.... We are discussing this here, enough said.

Please feel free to add any major accomplishments I have missed. I really do mean to be completely fair to all the hard work done to date. All of that is good and helpful to the cause IMO. There has been a lot of hard work done by some very dedicated people.

But how far are we towards the goal of being able to really write a piece of legislation that will measurably change the future course of poker?

IMO we are barely on the course of getting a heavily regulated poker industry that will still be illegal in more than 25% of the States. We at best are looking at mid '09 before we even get that. IMO we are not even doing the work necessary to be a major player when that eventual bill is written. We have not shown the political players that they HAVE to address our communities concerns, not just make it easier for the industry to operate in the US. In political terms, we have picked the low hanging fruit.

We are nowhere in addressing Taxes, and most feel we will have to hope to get that after a "legalized" poker bill.

Live poker players and those who used to populate the on-line community feel the PPA is meaningless to them.

In concrete terms, we have the UIGEA, a website, some press, an expensive e-mail list and hope. With a strategy deeply dependent on continued paid help funded by the industry.

I have heard of many great ideas for raising money and building a true grassroots organization. I have attempted to pass on, however badly, many of these suggestions. I am completely baffled at the continual reliance of this organization to pay for things that many it could get for free for the asking. In addition at every turn where there was any opportunity to test out any number of grassroots building activates to address the “nothing substantial” complaint the PPA seems completely risk adverse. It has happened to many times for me to simply be over reading the strength of the PPA's hand at the time. I have gone back and asked a lot of questions about many of the ideas I have suggested as well as many others suggested by others.

I am in no way a "critic" out of any hurt sense of pride due to the authorship of any of these activities. I am critical because I have seen them work time and time again, they are tried and proven methods. I could not claim authorship if I tried.

IMO we are exceedingly weak as a poker community. It is the community itself who is at fault as much as it is the PPA's.

The US is currently by the nature of the size of the market, to some degree going to shape the future of the world poker economy. This is a double-edged sword. On the one hand it keeps the regulation from being to onerous to effectively bar new US entrants but at the same time it will affect the total world poker economy.

In many treaties on power, politics, and life, in general often the question of the nature of the strength of an organization given its source has been discussed through out history. The Prince is a good example, but not the only one.

The question and concern in my opinion is both the existing source of the "power" as well as the continued reliance on that source for continued sponsorship.

To put it crassly, the ownership of the PPA is tied directly to the source of its funds. There is absolutely nothing wrong with this as long as Machiavelli puts it the Prince does not seek to oppress his people.

I am not suggesting that the board does indeed have any desire to oppress the poker community as others may, as their is not a single shred of evidence to suport that premise.

However, as Niccolò and many others have pointed out with examples through out history, such a foundation for power is very limited and easily defeated. In his discussions, he warns repeatedly about hiring mercenaries’ and making alliances as a means of consolidating and keeping power.

I am not advocating any power struggle not an attempt to kill the Prince. I in Niccolò's example merely an attempting to do as he did and suggest you do not have to be a Prince to be able to give some thought to how to be a successful Prince.

IMO we are in a political battle.

We as a community are totally dependent on a benevolent set of nobles who have hired mercenaries in the form of lobbyists and consultants to fight the battles we either were unwilling to fight ourselves or unable to fight effectively.

As long as we "citizens" are dependent on the good will and self-interests of the Nobles in this enterprise, we are subject to their whims and really give them no choice but to continue to rely on the forces they have confidence in to fight the battles the best they can.

IMO the only fault that can be laid at the steps of the PPA is not being willing to train its own troops. Just $100,000 a year spent on grassroots training would empower many people to do a lot of the work we are currently paying close to 10 times that amount on hired hands.

Any honest lobbyist or consultant will tell you their job is much easier and cheaper to the organization, as Machiavelli and others have tried to tell people all through out history. Starting out this might have been they only way to get started, but we are well past the point of continuing on this course and expecting a good result.

D$D

[MassPoker]

OK...Lets talk numbers vs. results.

First, the PPA is still an infant organization in comparison to many other worthwhile lobbying organizations out there, so while the results (still few) are far more than we would have had without the PPA...period!

Recently, the PPA had a fly-in to Washingto D.C. for many of their State Reps who were able to attend for a seminar on "How to Lobby Congress" and then sent those people into the field and had them do exactly that. I am told about 100 members attended.

You speak of the PPA web site like it is little to nothing to brag about. Let me inform you that as the MA Rep for the PPA, we are currently facing criminalization of online poker due to a proposed bill by our illustrious Governor. The PPA, myself included, jumped on this! We unified, sent out an alert and in 2 days sent out nearly 1700 letters to legislators about the devestating consequences of the bill...and we are making much headway. This quick response was due to the well designed PPA website.

I don't blame you though D$D...because before I joined the PPA and ultimately became the MA State Rep, I too, wondered what was being done...I had serious questions about their leadership. That was until I got involved myself and stopped being part of the problem and became part of the solution. I could either sit in my computer chair all day and whine about the "injustices of this or that" or I can join the fight and try my absolute best to MAKE a difference rather than just talk about one.

That said, I take nothing from you because if you are a PPA member, (and I hope you are), then it is indeed your right to question the PPA Administration. But I ask you this, have you called and spoke with anyone from the PPA about your concerns? You might be pleasantly surprised what you'll learn.

All In,

Randy C~
MA PPA Rep

[MiltonFriedman]

good post. good feedback.

[DeadMoneyDad]

[ QUOTE ]


Recently, the PPA had a fly-in to Washingto D.C. for many of their State Reps who were able to attend for a seminar on "How to Lobby Congress" and then sent those people into the field and had them do exactly that. I am told about 100 members attended.

[/ QUOTE ]

I attended the fly-in.

[ QUOTE ]
That said, I take nothing from you because if you are a PPA member, (and I hope you are), then it is indeed your right to question the PPA Administration. But I ask you this, have you called and spoke with anyone from the PPA about your concerns? You might be pleasantly surprised what you'll learn.

[/ QUOTE ]

Actually I was more often than not unpleasantly suprised the more I learned.

I know there is a ton of work to accomplish what has been accomplished on the Hill.

I imgaine there are a thousand or more issues I may never know anything about.

My main point and from the recent news article John was quoted as saying the organization is moving in the grassroots direction. My question is more of one of speed and commitment to that effort.

Building a grassroots organization that is worth a damn is very hard work. It requires a good deal of commitment first from the parent organization to begin to motivate its membership. But if sucessful there is a tipping point where every ounce of energy and dime of investment comes back in some mutiple of the investment.

IMO we should to day be well at seeing that tipping point in terms of where we need to be as an organization to achieve the goals ahead of us.

I've made whatever name I have in this game from both doing it right from the begining as well as comming in late and cleaning up the mess and squandered opportunities and time of less sucessful efforts. Of the two I prefer starting early, it is not only more fun it is more often sucessful.

IMO right now it is not too late for almost anyone with good experience to make this happen in time. But with every passing week the effort will get harder and ultimately more expensive. This will either be in the final result or the amount of money and effort to get the job done.


D$D

[sobefuddled]

Well...a response to my e-mail regarding potential talk show guests for Dan Rea's show would be nice Randy. Even an acknowledgement that you received the e-mail would be nice. I work full-tme at a rather demanding job. I don't mind taking an hour or so a day out to help with your cause but an acknowledgement that you received some information would be nice given that the information was state-specific. It took me time to write the e-mail that generated Mr. Rea's invitation. Even an auto-reply would be preferable to no reply at all. If you had time to make this post you had time to reply to someone who is attempting to help you further your cause.

[DeadMoneyDad]

[ QUOTE ]
Well...a response to my e-mail regarding potential talk show guests for Dan Rea's show would be nice Randy. Even an acknowledgement that you received the e-mail would be nice. I work full-tme at a rather demanding job. I don't mind taking an hour or so a day out to help with your cause but an acknowledgement that you received some information would be nice given that the information was state-specific. It took me time to write the e-mail that generated Mr. Rea's invitation. Even an auto-reply would be preferable to no reply at all. If you had time to make this post you had time to reply to someone who is attempting to help you further your cause.

[/ QUOTE ]

I suggest you, Randy, and the other in or near MA get together and start deligating tasks among yourselves. Share alternative communication methods so the main MassPPA box doesn't over filled.

One of the worst things you can do with volunteers is not put them to work when they are ready to help. They simply loose their steam and go away. This is a cardnial sin in grassroots organizations.

MassPoker you need to solve this problem, NOW.


D$D

[TheEngineer]

[ QUOTE ]
Well...a response to my e-mail regarding potential talk show guests for Dan Rea's show would be nice Randy. Even an acknowledgement that you received the e-mail would be nice. I work full-tme at a rather demanding job. I don't mind taking an hour or so a day out to help with your cause but an acknowledgement that you received some information would be nice given that the information was state-specific. It took me time to write the e-mail that generated Mr. Rea's invitation. Even an auto-reply would be preferable to no reply at all. If you had time to make this post you had time to reply to someone who is attempting to help you further your cause.

[/ QUOTE ]

It could have either not been delivered or been deleted by his spam filter. Why not send it once more or PM him?

[sobefuddled]

Actually I did PM him from this site asking him to let me know whether or not he received the e-mail. Since I copied Bryan on the e-mail Bryan responded saying he was forwarding the e-mail to Randy because "Randy is our MA representative." Bryan apparently didn't look at the header. I have not heard from Randy.
D$D made my point beautifully. I have a personal vested interest in getting this proposed MA legislation changed and the public educated about poker. My son is toying with the idea of moving back to MA. He is a pro player. Those of you who follow extremely high stakes on line limit know who he is.

[TheEngineer]

[ QUOTE ]
Actually I did PM him from this site asking him to let me know whether or not he received the e-mail. Since I copied Bryan on the e-mail Bryan responded saying he was forwarding the e-mail to Randy because "Randy is our MA representative." Bryan apparently didn't look at the header. I have not heard from Randy.
D$D made my point beautifully. I have a personal vested interest in getting this proposed MA legislation changed and the public educated about poker. My son is toying with the idea of moving back to MA. He is a pro player. Those of you who follow extremely high stakes on line limit know who he is.

[/ QUOTE ]

Thanks for taking that extra step to ensure he received your email. Also, thanks for offering to help. I hope Randy will contact you soon.

[DeadMoneyDad]

[ QUOTE ]

It could have either not been delivered or been deleted by his spam filter. Why not send it once more or PM him?

[/ QUOTE ]

TE, your desire to get the job done not matter what the obsticales is very admirable. But the PPA has long suffered the structural problem of bi-directional communications involving suggestions and offers of help. Given all the work even on Brayn's new plate this will not improve IMO.

Right now every campaign in the country, every other grassroots group is out planning and rounding up people potentially motivated for this cycle. As far as I know we barely have a plan. We have not shown "the money" that we are worth their commitment to a major effort.

Getting people to get off their butts and freely give their time is harder than getting money from them. It is also many times more valuable. Getting money is the easy part, trust me.

The amount of untapped talent in this forum alone is testiment to that.

Grassroots for a group is hard enough. Converting an on-line community to live action is even harder in political grassroots work.

I'll give you an example. A campaign I was involved in, only late in the process, had a great candidate in a good State. This was a State I had previous long term experience in the previous cycle. They announced and had a nice gathering for the offical opening of the campaign HQ's opening.

But they did not have a single concret volunteer activity for all the people that showed up ready to work. They had a very poor message for those with past volunteer experience; "leave us your name and contact info and we'll get back to you."

I came in for the last 5 weeks. The campaign was still stuck in first gear. I spent 3 weeks offering suggestions and doing what I was asked to do, drive around and stick yard signs in the ground.

10 days before the election they realized they were in major trouble. Thankfully the RNC had sent in about 12 "72-Hour Marshals" any of whom could have lead the effort, but since I had been their the longest and had the most recent past campaing experience in the State I was tapped to lead the effort. We accomplished through very hard work in a little less than 9 days what could have been done very easily in just the previous 5 weeks let alone the 3 months prior. We just eeked out a victory, and the Republicans just barely regained the Senate.

This experience is partly what has driven me nuts with the pace of change in the grassroots efforts of the PPA.

When I spoke to many of the people I had trained in the previous cycle and asked what happened, the full impact of the mistake of not "striking while the iron is hot", is a lesson I'll never forget. Many top tier volunteers went off and got involved in other campaigns. That State wide effort came very close to failing for the simple reason that the campaign didn't understand the "care and feeding" of its most valuable resource.

In campaings you can always get more money, you can even over come past mistakes, you can even elect fools, but you can never trun the clock back and get a single wasted minute back no matter what you do.




D$D