CAP CouncilConcept Paper

(Overview)

PURPOSE: The Citizen Action Program (CAP) Council is central to accomplishing the goals of the BP CAP, which encourages participation by BP employeesin public policy decision making at the federal, state and local levels. CAP provides BP employees, retirees, neighbors and friends concise information about the public policy process and educates them about issues that affect BP’s business and jobs.

The CAP website tools to:

  • learn about the issues that affect you, your family and BP
  • make your voice heard in public policy debates
  • register to vote
  • vote early or absentee
  • find out about the candidates running in your district
  • and more!

ROLE OF COUNCIL: Your local BP CAP Council is a nonpartisan volunteer employee group. The council strives to educate, motivate and activate BP employees, families, retirees, friends and neighbors in the public policy decision making process. The Council plays a crucial role in planning and developing educational programs for employees on issues of importance for employees, the company and the communities where we live andwork.

ROLE WITHIN BP: The BP CAP Council works with Communications and External Affairs (C&EA) and BP management to build civic action educational programs and events focusing on priority issues and external relationships of importance to BP employees, the company and our communities. Issues addressed may not only be those affecting BP directly, and also can include issues affecting employees’ families, jobs and communities.

CAP TOOLS: Members of the CAP Council will be trained on how to best utilize the engagement tools available. The CAP website enables employees to send letters to their elected officials at the click of a button and to access so much more, including voter education, issue awareness, and candidate profiles.

The CAP communicates with BP employees, retirees, friends and neighbors througheducational articles on the BP U.S. Intranet, issue briefings, CAP Alerts (Calls to Action) and the CAP website.

Note: After the Council becomes well established and organized, the Council may wish to open up meetings and activities to their local BP retiree community. The BP Civic and Political Affairs Team will be able to assist in this effort.

CAP Council Q & A

What’s the time commitment to volunteer on my local CAP Council?

Meeting schedules, membership and tenure should be defined by the CAP Council based on priority and need. Meetings may be held monthly throughout the year (except during the summer and the holiday season) with the goal of hosting educational programs at least once every quarter. Service on the council should be limited to a reasonable, defined tenure to encourage participation by a wide range of employees to consider new points of view and ideas.

What kind of programs do CAP Councils host?

CAP Councils host a variety of civic engagements and events. Here are just a few examples:

  • Invite a political candidate or elected official to address a CAP-hosted gathering at your location to discuss an issue important to you or BP.
  • Launch a letter writing campaign to government officials at the local, state or federal level
  • Host a pizza and politics lunch with state legislatorsto witness the lawmaking process up close.
  • Organize a town hall with executives who will discuss how and why politics and public policy affect BP and describe priority issues facing the company.
  • Invite campaign professionals or staff to lead CAP forums on getting involved in campaigns.
  • Host community Get-Out-The-Vote or voter registration drives at the workplace.
  • Plan an election night party.
  • And, most important, suggestions from you!

Important: you must work in coordination with C&EA and BP Legal prior to planning or announcing any events where political candidates, elected officials or their representatives will appear; any letter writing or calling campaigns; or any voter registration or get-out-the-vote drive.

How many members serve on CAP Councils? How are they chosen?

  • The number of members on a local CAP Council is dependent on the decisions of the members of that Council. Best practices suggest that 7 to 15 members should serve on the Council. Ideally, members will represent a diversity of business units and backgrounds.
  • CAP Council officers include the Council Chair and/or Co-Chair, Vice-Chair of Programs, Vice-Chair GOTV/Voter Outreach and Secretary. Local Councils may add additional Members-at-Large with full voting rights to provide input for and help implement programs and activities.
  • Members-at-Large will gain training and development experience that may lead to future CAP Council leadershiproles and promote new member recruitment and participation.
  • Council members will be selected during the initial formation and planning stage by interested employees.