Editing 2011 Election - Lessons Learned (section)

==Signs==
*Signs were not available until late in the campaign, two weeks before Election Day.  (They were ordered 3 1/2 weeks before Election Day.)  We need to know how many signs each candidate will use well in advance, maybe 2 months before Election Day. Brochures were ready for some candidates a little earlier, but not for all candidates.  The Candidate App asked for this information.  Regional Coordinators should confirm requests for signs and brochures before the order is placed, even for candidates who don't plan to campaign.  

*It's probably not a good idea to order signs and brochures before the candidate has collected their signatures.  

*Whats UR Sign was the company that printed 339 signs for us at a cost of $1,830 ($5.40 each, stakes included), much lower than any other quote I was able to get.  They also provided the best 'stakes,' 16"x1/4" steel rods that fit between the corplast layers and didn't bend in a strong wind. 

*The federal party has printed 100 signs with no candidate name that can be used for any campaign.  The Green Party has done the same in the past.  This makes sense in that we aren't asking people to vote for the candidate, but for the Party and our ideas.  Maybe we should consider this approach.  It could save a lot of money.  

*Probably better to get signs and brochures printed locally, to avoid shipping charges.  E.g. find suppliers in Ottawa, Hamilton, London, Thunder Bay, etc.  Maybe regional coordinators should get local quotes, or arrange with What’s UR Sign to ship to regional coordinators.  Or if we use one supplier, have a volunteer look after the shipping.