Category Archives: Grassroots Organizing
From Resistance to Resources: How to Gain Internal Support, Status and Money for Your Grassroots and PAC Programs: Part Four
Emphasis on Results Rather than Activity
One of my Fortune 100 corporate clients wanted to expand their broad-based and key contact grassroots network. However, rather than taking a numerical approach to measuring their success, they were more concerned about finding the right employees with the right legislator relationships.
They did not care if an employee was best friends with the chairman of the Agriculture Committee. They wanted people with contacts on the Ways and Means and Appropriations Committees, and that is where we focused our efforts.
Did it take longer and require more phone calls and research than simply taking a “WB” (Warm Body) approach? Yes, but now they have employees who are willing and able to meet with key Members of Congress.
In…
From Resistance to Resources: How to Gain Internal Support, Status and Money for Your Grassroots and PAC Programs: Part Three
Why do some government affairs departments, specifically grassroots and PAC operations, consistently get increased budget funding and staff resources while others struggle to justify their existence? We track our client’s results, and what we found was startling.
After the conclusion of our collaborations, over 85 percent of our consulting clients have experienced long-term funding increases, increased staff resources, and enhanced internal status for the grassroots program and/or PAC. We refer to them as our “85% Club.” So, in hot pursuit of the truth, I wanted to find out what some of these organizations have in common.
Previously in this article, we found that they all practice the following:
• Intrepid accountability
• “The first sale is to yourself”
• An internal marketing strategy
• Attention to…
From Resistance to Resources: How to Gain Internal Support, Status and Money for Your Grassroots and PAC Programs: Part Two
The First Sale is to Yourself
Staff who are able to get more money and resources for their programs believe passionately in their mission. Remember, the first sale is always to yourself.
I was asked by a client to help coach her through a very important presentation to one of her organization’s highest governing bodies. We collaborated on her new five-year strategic grassroots development plan, and this group needed to approve the general plan direction. However, they had never heard a grassroots advocacy presentation before. Many didn’t even understand the goals and rationale for the advocacy department – not your most welcoming audience. She had to get their buy-in to the five-year plan.
I could tell immediately from our initial conversations that she…
From Resistance to Resources: How to Gain Internal Support, Status and Money for Your Grassroots and PAC Programs: Part One
Why do some government affairs departments, specifically grassroots and PAC operations, consistently get increased budget funding and staff resources while others struggle to justify their existence? We track our clients’ results, and what we found was startling.
After the conclusion of our collaborations, over 85% of our consulting clients have experienced long-term funding increases, increased staff resources, and enhanced internal status for their grassroots program and/or PAC. So, in hot pursuit of the truth, I wanted to find out what some of these organizations have in common.
Intrepid Accountability / Focus on ROI
It doesn’t take DNA evidence to prove the value of grassroots advocacy. I’ve always believed that one of the reasons many of our programs suffer from the “Rodney Dangerfield Syndrome”…
The Top 7 Things Your Grassroots Advocates Don’t Want to Hear
In the interest of equal time, here are my thoughts relative to my grassroots compatriots. These are my favorites, not in any particular order. I provide these because words matter.
How we talk about grassroots sends clear signals to our volunteers as to what’s possible, and most important, our attitude toward them. These tips may help you to avoid the “trial and terror” approach to grassroots recruiting.
Drum roll, please. . .
1. “When we contact you to communicate with your legislator, it may be the first time you’ve heard from us, but we just can’t predict the legislative process.”
True, we cannot predict the legislative process. If we could, no one would need lobbyists or grassroots networks. However, certainly any government affairs department…
