Text messaging system for local TUC’s.

Identified need.

Trades Union Councils are active in the local communities undertaking many campaigns involving the public. Need easy and proven way to enhance communication with local supporters.

Proposed solution:

Introduce Txt sign up for use by local TUC’s for use by both National TUCJCC and local TUC’s.

Example: Local TUC distributes anti-fascist leaflets - asks people to visit local TUC website for further information or to sign up for newsletter (if they have one).

Solution: In addition to normal sign up mechanisms offered by website, provide supporters with the ability to text the word LOCALTUC to 86006. They will be thanked by text and asked for their post code. They will again be thanked and asked for email (optional).
Local TUC promotes on all its publicity material the txt-sign up service to allow people to sign up.

What will the local TUC get?

Once the system is setup the local TUC will be sent the phone number and post code of every person within their catchment area* who texts LOCALTUC to 86006.

Costs

The normal cost of such a system would place it well outside of the price range of most local TUC’s. However, subject to the table below, it is possible for a system to be constructed for use by local TUC’s. This would depend on some central support to launch the project.
Initial one-off construction costs – Linking text system to post code database for forwarding to local TUC and copy to National TUC.  A Modest capital injection would be required plus annual charge dependant on precise system used. It may be possible to reduce capital required subject to greater take up by local TUC’s.

Local TUCs who wish to use the system. – Annual Charge based on table below, plus individual text message costs. Txt charges 10p each.  For successful sign-up and post code, the average cost will be 20p - to the local TUC – the person texting LOCALTUC to 86006 pays standard txt rate – (free dependant on tariff).

Example: Obtain 500 new local supporters cost £100 (one off charge). Of course, the cost drops if used by 100 supporters for example - £20 one-off charge. You can of course cancel service at any time and retain existing local contact details.

Is this value for money?

Of course, only the local TUC can make that decision, but remember that these are people who have expressly requested they be informed of your local activities – if you undertake public events, sell T-shirts or mugs etc then this audience wishes to be informed. You can of course communicate with these supporters by your usual email systems or your own txt messaging system.

• The catchment area is mapped via post code. Every post code in Britain can be mapped against local TUC – Precise post codes to specific local TUCs would have to be determined between National TUC and Local TUC. It is possible for more than one TUC to be connected to a specific post code. In cases where the post code is not supplied, then it is not possible to forward to local TUC.

Please indicate if this service is of interest to your local TUC and if you would be prepared to use the system for a 1 year trial.

Name of Local TUC
Please indicate whether you are interested in discussing this further.
Yes we are interested  No we are not interested

If as a local TUC you are interested in the service depending on annual cost, please let us know.

15 TUC’s £250 pa   
25 TUC’s  £175 pa 
50 TUC’s  £125 pa  
75 TUC’s £100 pa  
100 TUC’s £ 85 pa  
125 TUC’s £ 65 pa

This service may be particularly useful for currently active local TUC’s or TUC’s who are attempting to re-launch local activity.
If sufficient demand is identified for this collective service by 31st July 2011 then the system can be launched from September 2011.
Please note, the 10p per txt charge (for sending out txts)  is purely down to the phone companies charges (we are working hard to reduce these costs) – the user signing up pays standard txt rate – 90% of families with mobiles have free txt plans and thus incur no charges.

If, after using the service for one year you wish to cancel, you get to keep all your local contacts obtained.