Category Archives: Political Action Committees
The Right Way for Businesses To Engage In Politics In 2013
This blog post first appeared on Forbes.com
It’s time to reflect upon what we can learn from business involvement in politics during 2012. There is rich material for us to learn from, and I could write about much more than this column allows. However, I have prioritized those concerns that apply to the widest swath of businesses possible. In other words, the big picture.
Politics in the Workplace is Good for Business
Just in case you are having “issues” with some who think grassroots programs and PAC’s don’t belong in the workplace, here is my take on it published on CNBC’s web site: http://www.cnbc.com/id/47144504
Can Companies Go Too Far When It Comes To Their PAC?
I2M faculty member Brett Kappel of Arent Fox www.arentfox.com advises his clients to create PAC bylaws that suit the political needs and culture of the company. However, Brett says a company can go too far in trying to ensure that the PAC is run consistently with the corporate culture. Here’s what he says about Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert’s PAC ”argument”:
http://arentfoxnews.com/cv/b725299375d575713993da6aaa4205606c8948a7
From Concern to Cooperation: How to Use Grassroots and Lobbying to Build Your PAC
While some look for a “silver bullet” to raise PAC funds, we sometimes forget that it’s many things, rather than one thing, that changes a PAC’s bank account. A constant dilemma among PAC professionals is how to advance the PAC when the organizational culture has been averse to it at worst, and at best, ambivalent.
I heard some good news from Micah Intermill, Director of Advocacy for the Assisted Living Federation of America (ALFA). Micah, along with his colleagues Maribeth Bersani, Senior Vice President of Public Policy, and Paul Williams, Director of Public Policy & State Affiliate Relations, have facilitated an attitude change in ALFA member’s attitudes toward the PAC.
The result? A 400% increase in members who sign prior authorization forms,…
Does Fear Influence or Immobilize?
Within the past 25 years, the Library of Congress has recorded over 1,000 books with Armageddon or apocalypse in the title. Certainly many industries and causes gain adherence via fear. But what does the research say about fear as a motivator, and how does it impact how grassroots and PAC professionals engage their volunteers?
I was hired to conduct a training workshop at a national trade association conference where the audience was comprised of their state chapter government relations directors and state executives, one of my favorite audiences.
I was sharing with them how to frame the benefits of PAC and grassroots participation and the “M” question came up. You guessed it – the motivation question. One of the state executives was…
