With about 25 State Chairs and the entire CRNC Executive Board, the bomb-shell announcement of the new administration’s first conference call with the National Board on Thursday was that the CRNC has cut STORM.
On the call, the announcement was made by CRNC Treasurer Brand Kroeger.
According to Mr. Kroeger, after reviewing the books and looking at STORM’s analytics, the CRNC could not justify continuing to pay for the database.
STORM was costing the CRNC upwards of $14,000 per month to maintain, but only generating a little over 100 hits in the same period.
Running the numbers, that means the CRNC was paying $140 per hit – an astounding amount.
Asking around, College Republican leaders seem pleased with the decision, and Mr. Howell’s budget cutting measures.
The CRNC will not be database-less for long. A new database is reportedly being built around the results of a survey of College Republicans conducted several months ago by the CRNC and the David All Group.
The call was also used to introduce Tommy Jardon, former Southern Regional Vice-Chairman, as CRNC Executive Director. In an email following the call, Mr. Jardon said,
As members of the Committee, I consider each and every one of you my “boss.” Please feel free to reach out to me with any comments, concerns, questions, or ideas you may have. I, Zach Howell our Chairman, the national officers, and the entire CRNC are resources at your disposal.
Additionally, we found out on the call that the CRNC Fall Board Meeting will be held November 20-22 at the Loews Royal Pacific Resort at Universal Orlando Studios in Orlando, FL.
For State Chairs, the CRNC will reportedly cover the hotel and two meals. This board meeting, however, will be the first in which ALL College Republicans are welcome.
To make it more economically feasible for non-State Chair College Republicans the CRNC has secured deeply discounted rates on hotels and other attractions in the Orlando area.
Lastly, the call was used to push efforts to get College Republicans to deploy to the upcoming gubernatorial races in Virginia and New Jersey.
Terence Grado, former NJ College Republican Chairman and current Northeast Regional Vice-Chairman, and current VA College Republican Chairwoman Kate Maxwell both talked about their respective states.
Mr. Howell is reportedly meeting with RGA Executive Director Nick Ayers to discuss how the College Republicans can best be of service.
As always, your thoughts?