3. Transformation

3.1. Policy

• Restore traditional Republican values
• Take concrete steps to organise on thirty-two county basis
• Constructive criticism of coalition economic policy
• Emphasis nationalist credentials through support of culture, language, sports
• Economic policies to support small and emerging businesses
• Economic policies to protect those genuinely in need of assistance
• Consider adopting a euro-sceptic position or at least cognisant of changing realities
• Facilitate tangible membership contribution to policy development

3.2. Communications

• Ensure leadership statements & directives communicated to and understood by members. Many policy decisions in the recent crisis were not understood by members who subsequently did not have a sense of ownership and found them difficult to justify or defend. Whilst this applies in the main to economic decisions another recent example would be the blasphemy bill which was controversial yet not properly understood by many. Decisions could be communicated via online / social media, periodical updates (email or post). Also individual public representatives must take responsibility for informing their local organisations. Traditionally Party spokespersons would appear on national and local media to explain key decisions, it is accepted there was perhaps less of this in recent times due to a hostile media environment.
• Involve members in decision making. The Ard Fheis model is a good one on paper but is often not implemented in practice. Motions can be raised from cumann level right up to the floor of the Ard Fheis but the process by which successful motions progress on to be considered for policy adoption is unclear at best.
• Consultatives may be a good model. The approach taken to consider Northern mobilisation in 2008 may be a good model to look at for member consultation. Each unit was invited to submit views following a special meeting which facilitated inputs but the results were not binding and no votes were involved so leadership flexibility was retained. The process highlights the positive side of member engagement but also a negative as the result of the process was never announced. Consultatives are a good model but  decisions made must be communicated back to the membership with reasons for the decisions.
• Establish local spokespeople to relay the party message.
• Identify key networks within party including Councillors, aspiring / future candidates, former public representatives and party ‘grandees’. This concept is elaborated on further below.
• Employ Social Media and Web techniques to communicate – NB must be two way. Not every comment needs to be responded to however it is important to build up credibility in social media that response are conversations take place as well as just announcements. Secure online communications could be enable for certified members such as the online discussion boards.

3.3. Membership

• Apply two statuses of membership
• ‘Active members’ pay an annual fee and are entitled to vote at all meetings / conventions
• New status of ‘associate membership’ available to non-subscribing members
• Associate members remain on cumainn listings, member database etc
• However associate members do not have voting rights
• Associate membership acts as a form of mailing list / registered supporters
• Rights and responsibilities come with active membership
• Active Members expected to participate fully in local activities

3.4. Organisation

• The Comhairle Ceantair should become the key organisational unit
• Each CC maps to an LEA and has responsibility for matters within it
• Each CC should ensure the party is active across that LEA
• The CC unit shall effectively run local elections within that LEA
• The CDC should perform similar role at General Election / Dáil Constituency level
• Functioning units should be allowed remain e.g. active cumainn not forcibly disbanded
• However votes and binding decisions to be transferred to CC and CDC level
• Implement one member – one vote to ensure all members views count equally
• Areas with dormant / inactive cumainn to be adopted into other cumann area
• Ensure every area has an active unit with responsibility for it
• Apply concept of ‘supporting cumann’ to enable stronger cumann assist weaker ones
• Overarching CC across an LEA area will address difficulties of dormant cumann areas
• If cumann structure disbanded ensure each area still represented on CC

3.5. Heritage

• Celebrate republican heritage and struggle for Independence.
• Celebrate party & republican history through local events / commemorations
• Identify with the deep folk memories of Irish struggle e.g. famine commemoration, emigration, land wars
• Consider Fianna Fáil fora / networks in international disapora e.g. Australia, U.K., U.S.A.
• Consider establishing a Fianna Fáil social centre e.g. akin to Parnell Sq. Teachers Club

3.6. Activities

• All party units should meet at least 4 times a year
• Meetings should be advertised and open to new members
• At least one social occasion to be held yearly
• Channel for policy documents / outputs to be submitted to HQ / PP
• Each cumann should canvass at least annually outside election time
• Register checks or local surveys can be utilised as canvass outings
• Party should maintain a presence in local media and online channels
• HQ to assist party units where necessary with online and traditional PR methods

3.7. Candidate Selection

• Involve local party / membership in selection process
• Ensure process is transparent and understood
• Above steps will ensure buy-in from local organisation
• Allow candidates sufficient time to campaign /establish
• New candidates could be assigned a ‘mentor’ e.g. retired local rep
• Provide support mechanism for issue escalation / progressing reps
• Aspirant candidates could become area spokespeople in advance

3.8. Campaigning

• Technology to be employed during election campaigns
• Detailed graphical maps of electoral area available to candidates
• Marked electoral register made available to candidates
• Online electoral databases available to candidates
• Tally figures to be mined and support areas analysed
• Register checks or local surveys can be utilised as canvass outings
• ‘Ward Boss’ system to manage each area with local knowledge
• Utilise grass roots campaigns / local issues to establish presence

3.9. Non Party Spokepeople

• Develop proxy spokespeople capable of articulating the party message
• Compile a list of ‘elder statesmen’ (e.g. Ray McSharry) prepared to go on airwaves
• Encourage affiliated research groups / think tanks / websites
• Expand the reach of the party message beyond purely elected reps