The document outlines the mission and operations of Ohio Veterans United (OVU), a non-partisan political action committee that supports veterans running for office and advocates for military and veteran issues. It includes OVU's mission statement, bylaws establishing its leadership structure and processes for endorsements. It also lists the current officers and congressional district chairs. Finally, it discusses OVU's public relations needs and candidate endorsement process.

1. OHIO VETERANS UNITED May 2010

2. OVU Contents Section 1 – Mission Statement Section 2 – By-Laws Section 3 – Officers/Executive Committee Section 4– Communications Section 5 – Endorsements

3. OHIO VETERANS UNITED Mission Statement May 2010

4. Mission Statement Ohio Veterans United is a qualified non-partisan political action committee that supports a strong military and defends traditional American Values.

5. Mission Statement (cont.) Our mission is to educate citizens on the need to maintain a strong military and to help elect qualified veterans and like-minded non-veterans to office. We support limited government, lower taxes, personal freedom with responsibility, elimination of government waste, responsible spending of taxpayer dollars, free-market enterprise, and the enforcement of Law and Order.

6. Mission Statement (cont.) Specific goals of Ohio Veterans United include: Elect qualified veterans to public office – regardless of party. Encourage donations to endorsed candidates through constant and proactive actions that highlight our candidates. Support our endorsed candidates in the media. Oppose public officials who have failed our troops, Veterans, and nation on matters regarding National Defense.

7. Mission Statement (cont.) Build a volunteer organization to fight for Veterans now and in the future. Be a strong advocate for legislation that fully supports our troops, military families, Gold Star Families and Veterans. Work to ensure that every military ballot is counted in every election. Encourage all veterans and their families to register and vote. Broaden our communications through regional television and printed materials and use new technologies and social media to reach a broader grassroots audience.

8. OHIO VETERANS UNITED By-Laws May 2010

9. By-Laws ARTICLE I – Organization Name The name of this organization OHIO VETERANS UNITED POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (the “PAC”). The PAC is a voluntary unincorporated, non-profit organization, and shall be operated as a federal non-connected, multi-candidate political committee, as defined by the publication "Campaign Guide for Non-connected Committees" of the Federal Election Commission, hereafter denoted FEC.

10. By-Laws (cont.) ARTICLE II -- Mission and Objectives of Ohio Veterans United Ohio Veterans United is a qualified non-partisan organization that supports a strong military and defends traditional American Values. We strongly support the fundamental principal that we are “One Nation under God, Indivisible, with Life, Liberty and Justice for All.” Section 1. Mission Our mission is to educate citizens on the need to maintain a strong military and to help elect qualified veterans and like-minded non-veterans to office. We support limited government, lower taxes, personal freedom with responsibility, elimination of government waste, responsible spending of taxpayer dollars, free-market enterprise, and the enforcement of Law and Order.

11. By-Laws (cont.) Section 2. Specific goals of Ohio Veterans United, Inc. include: Elect Veterans to public office – regardless of party. Encourage donations to endorsed candidates through constant and proactive actions that highlight our candidates. Support our endorsed candidates in the media. Oppose public officials who have failed our troops, Veterans, and nation on matters regarding National Defense. Build an organization to fight for Veterans now and in the future. Be a strong advocate for legislation that fully supports our troops, military families, Gold Star Families and Veterans. Work to ensure that every military ballot is counted in every election. Encourage all veterans and their families to register and vote. Broaden our communications through regional television and printed materials and use new technologies and social media to reach a broader grassroots audience.

12. By-Laws (cont.) ARTICLE III -- OFFICERS and EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Section 1. The organization shall have the following officers and executive committee members: State Chair or Co-Chairs, 1st Vice-Chair, 2nd Vice-Chair, Chair Emeritus, Treasurer, Communications Chair, IT Director, Recording Secretary and the Executive Director. In addition to these 9 positions there may be additional executive committee appointments which may include Congressional District Chairs/County Chairs and the following Committee Chairs or Co-Chairs: Volunteer, Candidate Endorsement, Issues Management and Legislative Outreach, and Coalition Liaison. No one who is not a veteran can hold any of these positions unless approved by the Executive Committee.

13. By-Laws (cont.) Section 2. The Executive Director shall be the chief executive officer of the organization and shall call and preside at all meetings of the organization. A State Chair and Chair Emeritus will be the official ”public” spokespersons of the organization, and the vice chairs may act as spokespersons and official representatives of the organization when the Executive Director or State Chair or Chair Emeritus are not available. Section 3. A State Chair or a Vice-Chair, upon absence of the Executive Director, may preside at any meetings of the organization and of the executive committee and assumes duties of the Executive Director at such meetings.

14. By-Laws (cont.) Section 4. The Treasurer shall have charge of all securities and monies of the Ohio Veterans United Political Action Committee and shall keep them in a depository approved by the Executive Committee. The Treasurer shall keep a complete account thereof subject to the review by the State Chair and of the Auditing Committee, and shall submit to the Executive Committee a written monthly statement showing receipts, disbursements and balance on hand. The Treasurer shall preserve all such statements and books of records for examination by the Auditing Committee. The Treasurer shall pay out no money except as directed by the Executive Committee. The Treasurer will also be responsible for filing all forms necessary to meet our obligations with the State of Ohio, Federal Government, and Campaign Finance Laws and Regulations.

15. By-Laws (cont.) Section 5. The Recording Secretary shall record minutes of all regular and special meetings of the organization and be custodian of al the Organization records as well as being responsible for the preservation of all committee reports. Section 6. The Communications Chair is responsible for strategic planning of all communications of the organization including development and maintenance the Web site of the organization, utilization of traditional media relations as well as integrating social networking to help meet the goals of the organization.

16. By-Laws (cont.) Section 7. The Executive Committee shall have power to carry into effect all of the purposes for which the Organization is formed and shall authorize and control all expenditures. No action of the Executive Committee shall be lawful and binding unless authorized by the affirmative vote of the majority of the quorum of the committee present. For a legal quorum present there must be at least five officers and/or executive committee members present. The Executive Committee shall have the power to fill all vacancies which may occur among its officers and committee members. Section 8. All Officers and Executive Committee Members of Ohio Veterans United shall provide their DD214 showing Honorable Discharge prior to accepting their role of office.

17. By-Laws (cont.) ARTICLE IV. Committees -- The Executive Director may appoint committees at any time and the committee shall serve at the pleasure of the Executive Director and may be terminated at the discretion of the Executive Director. Standing committees shall include: Volunteer Committee – responsible for preserving and increasing volunteer participation in the organization. Candidate Endorsement Committee – responsible for reviewing candidate’s profiles, candidate questionnaires, obtaining DD214 of candidate that claim to be veterans, and submitting the committee’s recommendation of endorsement to the Executive Committee.

18. By-Laws (cont.) ARTICLE IV. Committees (cont.) Political Action Committee – responsible for collecting and disseminating information on current issues involving veterans and active duty military and present these to the Executive Committee for action. Fundraising Committee – responsible for developing and implantation of a plan to raise funds that will be used to support the organization’s goals. Training and Education Committee – responsible for developing a training and education program to be used by Congressional District Chairs and County Chair in organizing an effective grassroots program to support the goals of the organization.

19. By-Laws (cont.) ARTICLE IV. Committees (cont.) Auditing Committee – shall be composed of three members of the Executive Committee, none of whom shall be a Financial Officer of the organization, appointed by the Executive Director and approved by the Executive Committee, shall audit the books and accounts annually. Written report of the committee will be presented to the Executive Director and Executive Committee for approval.

20. By-Laws (cont.) ARTICLE V. Endorsement Of Candidates For Public Office The endorsement of any candidate for local, county, state or national office shall be submitted to the Executive Committee for consideration upon recommendation by the Endorsement Committee. Any candidate for endorsement must submit a completed candidate questionnaire and if a veteran, must provide an official DD214 for review by the Endorsement Committee. The organization can choose to endorse candidates for any primary, special or regular election.

21. By-Laws (cont.) ARTICLE VI. -- Endorsement of Issues. The endorsement of any issue of local, county, state or national nature shall be submitted to the Executive Committee for review and consideration. The organization can choose to endorse or oppose issues for primary, special or regular election.

22. By-Laws (cont.) ARTICLE VII. Elections of Officers and Executive Committee TBD as deemed needed by the Executive Committee. ARTICLE VIII. Changes and additions to the By-laws Any changes or additions made to the by-laws of Ohio Veterans United requires a 2/3 majority of the Executive Committee. ARTICLE IX. Location The principal office of the PAC shall be located at: 6896 Windwood Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45241.

23. By-Laws (cont.) ARTICLE X. Roberts Rules of Order Except as herein provided, all proceedings of the Organization including chapters shall be governed by the current edition of Robert's Rules of Order Revised.

24. OHIO VETERANS UNITED Officers May 2010

25. OVU Officers/Executive Committee Honorary Chair – Tom Moe State Co-Chairs – Brad Wenstrup & Tom Morgan 1st Vice Chair/Endorsements – Dick Stobbs 2nd Vice Chair/Communications – Pete Lupiba Treasurer– Jim Crane Recording Secretary – Dan Cecil IT Director – Jennifer Lupiba Executive Director – Harry Prestanski

26. OVU CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT CHAIRS 1st CD – Harry Prestanski 2nd CD – Bill Rapp 3rd CD – Jim Butler 4th CD – Dan Cecil 6th CD – Dick Stobbs 7th CD - Ed Laramee/Ed Mechenbier 8th CD – Jim Crane 9th CD – Tom Morgan 10th CD – Mike Dovilla 11th CD – Kevin Flynn 12th CD – Brian Hoyt 13th CD – Norm Beznoska 14th CD – Adrian Rule 15th CD – Ryan Holdren 16th CD – Dan Meeks 17th CD – JP Brown,Thomas Ratcliff 18th CD – Mike Demko

27. OHIO VETERANS UNITED Public Relations May 2010

28. OVU PR NEEDS Public Relations Counsel and Strategic Planning Marketing Communications Media Relations Special events planning and publicity Issues management Community Relations Public Affairs Crisis communications planning & management Spokesperson media training Constituency research and analysis

29. OVERVIEW It is crucial for a successful organization to build a strong public relations plan into its overall marketing communications strategy. PR can dynamically articulate and communicate an organization’s alignment with the interests and expectations of its various constituencies. An effective public relations program can help heighten the awareness and understanding of OVU’s mission and programs.

30. Communication is critical Communicating promptly and effectively with OVU stakeholders is a necessity, and it has taken on new urgency due to the growing applications of technology. The need to tell the OVU mission has never been more critical. Knowing where the OVU target audiences are shifting and how to stay ahead of these shifts has become more science than art, and knowing how to position the organization is crucial to the future growth and success of OVU.

31. Communication is critical The PR program will help OVU recognize these needs, study them and evaluate how best to apply research to account for these changes. A PR program will help balance competing pressures, and the need to maintain a consistent image and message in a market where the most consistent thing is change. A professional approach to public relations will enable OVU to navigate the changing landscape within this sector, and differentiate the organization from other veterans organizations, our mission and programs in the eyes of OVU target audiences.

32. OHIO VETERANS UNITEDCandidate Endorsement May 2010

33. OVU Endorsement One of the primary tools that Ohio Veterans United has to support fellow veterans as candidates for public office is the endorsement process. Our endorsement allows candidates to differentiate themselves from their opponents and provides guidance for voters as they make their decisions about who they want to represent them in elected office. The endorsement process also allows Ohio Veterans United to begin educating future elected officials and developing relationships between the veteran community and elected officials.

34. OVU Endorsement (cont.) Candidate endorsements are made by the Ohio Veterans United Endorsement Committee and must be ratified by the Executive Committee. The Ohio Veterans United Endorsement Committee is a non-partisan committee made up of veterans of various levels of service, branches and rank. Committee members will review your responses and determine if they would like to schedule an interview upon which to make their endorsement recommendation.

35. OVU Endorsement (cont.) A good faith effort is made to afford all candidates an opportunity to submit a questionnaire and potential follow-up interview. Ohio Veterans United will seek out candidates in key races, but also welcomes candidates to actively request our endorsement. If you are a candidate for office, and have not received a questionnaire and would like to seek our endorsement, please contact us at www.OhioVeteransUnited.org. Ohio Veterans United reserves the right, to not interview a candidate if the questionnaire responses are such that no endorsement is possible.

36. OVU Endorsement (cont.) Once the Executive Committee ratifies the endorsement, the Executive Director will inform the candidate and initiate the process to announce the endorsement. In addition, the Ohio Veterans United PAC will determine resource allocation on behalf of candidates; when possible and where it is determined to be effective, funds will be provided to the candidate committee from the Ohio Veterans United PAC. Important Note: As an organization of veterans, we intend to limit our endorsements to those who have taken an oath to serve in the United States Military, are currently serving or have done so honorably. In rare cases, if you are not a veteran, the Executive Committee may entertain a request for endorsement. In this rare instance, you must include at least two letters of support from individuals who have served honorably.

37. OVU Endorsement (cont.) OVU Endorsement Committee Dick Stobbs, Chair Rebecca Lee Mike Demko Jim Samuel John P Brown

39. Distribute endorsement announcement to all OVU members

40. Write and distribute news release

41. When and where feasible hold an official OVU event/press conference to announce the endorsement