The FIRE team supported the Yes For Westerville Schools campaign from start to finish, contributing to the decisive passage of a 0.75% Earned Income Tax for Westerville City Schools. Through strategic rebranding, clear and compelling messaging, and robust Get Out the Vote efforts, we were deeply embedded in every step of a winning campaign.
Campaign Branding
The Fire team worked with YFWS campaign volunteers to develop cohesive and consistent branding that stood out, reflected community values, and drove messaging throughout the campaign.
This video received over 80,000 views.
Messaging was developed and shared in order to create a consistent and controlled narrative around the campaign. Messaging was relayed through a variety of tactics, including detailed documents and training for volunteers, and through social media campaigns and events.
Message Building and socials
social Media Video Projects
Campaign Organization
Emma Nelson served as campaign co-chair for the Yes For Westerville Schools campaign, overseeing campaign organization, strategy development, and team dynamics. She played a key role in building a collaborative, mission-driven team that successfully carried the campaign to passage.
Labor Union Outreach and engagement
John Sands served as WEA Political Action Committee Chair and was a member of the Yes for Westerville Schools Levy campaign executive committee. As such, his job was to bridge the often tricky to navigate tricky nature of the relationship between labor and management, communicating with Union, District, and Campaign leadership to minimize misunderstandings. John was a fierce advocate for his fellow educators while working on the committee, reminding all involved what was at stake while refusing to make excuses for those members unwilling to get involved in our efforts. Through clear communication and targeted, realistic asks, we were able to engage hundreds of teachers as volunteers.
Introduction to WEA Membership
Teacher Get Out The Vote & Last Call for Volunteers!
Get Out The Vote and Grass Roots Efforts
The FIRE team led innovative, grassroots Get Out the Vote efforts that energized the community and built momentum throughout the campaign. From coordinating “Weeks of Action” to launching the widely visible I Love Westerville Schools t-shirt campaign, our strategies centered on authentic community pride and peer-to-peer engagement. We activated supporters through targeted peer-to-peer outreach, student-led rallies, and volunteer-driven conversations that met voters where they were, ultimately turning enthusiasm into action and votes.
