Don't like it? WORK TO CHANGE IT.
Every year, the same 50 lobbyists and organizations meet with the same well-meaning ( but still have to raise money to run for office!) elected officials and provide them with information. And - as a result and no surprise here - the same 50 point of view are what’s represented in funding and policy decisions.
If you care about something? If you really care a lot about something? You NEED to talk to your elected officials, provide them with information about what’s really happening. And trust me, politicians would much rather spend an hour learning about their constituents lives than an hour with a professional lobbyist.
But how can you make sure you're 'doing it right'? We're planning to offer three dynamic, interactive government affairs trainings this fall! Plan to join us, and e-mail me if you want us to e-mail you the schedule when its announced.
July 23, 2011
Don't Get Angry. Get Educated and ENGAGE!
February 17, 2011
Changes at The Art of Politics
Whether or not you agree with them politically, politicians run for office because they really to want to do good things for their constituents. Having worked for both an elected official AND constituent businesses and organizations - I want you to know something: elected officials aren’t getting the whole story. Our so-called representative democracy doesn’t ‘represent’.
The problem is, every year, the same 50 lobbyists and organizations meet with elected officials and provide them with information. And - as a result and no surprise here - the same 50 point of view are what’s represented in funding and policy decisions.
If your organization is doing good, valuable work in our community, you NEED to talk to your elected officials, provide them with information about what’s really happening on the ground with their constituents. And trust me, politicians would much rather spend an hour learning about their constituents lives than an hour with a lobbyist.
To address this issue, I've recently transformed The Art of Politics from a lobbying firm into a Government Affairs Training company. In other words, instead of fishing for people, we're now teaching people how to fish. Our trainings are dynamic, interactive and you'll walk away knowing how to have interactions with elected officials that yield tangible results.
Call us with any questions!
September 15, 2010
Social Media in Political Interactions
Most US Representatives and Senators have a Facebook page. Less are on Twitter. However, the Democratic and Republican Parties are gently but firmly suggesting their members get on the social media bandwagon, so look for more to join the party. So what's an engaged organization to do?
I've said it before and it's still true: there is NO replacement for the impact of an effective face to face meeting with elected officials or their staff. Second to a face to face meeting? A personal phone call to a specific person with a specific request. Third? A direct e-mail with a specific request to a specific person.
Is there anything to do after that? Maybe.
If your organization is on Twitter or Facebook, I suggest gentle interactions with elected officials via Facebook and Twitter, but NOT about your substantive issue. Save communications about substantive issues for substantial communications like those described above.
February 9, 2010
Effective Meetings with Elected/Agency Officials
You might not be surprised to learn that we believe there really is an 'art' to political affairs. For government relations consultants like us, the ability to craft an effective meeting between our clients and an elected official is a non-negotiable skill. We offer a really effective (and short) training course for you, your staff, and/or Board of Directors, on how to have meetings with elected/agency officials that yield tangible results, but here's a 'top ten' list for you in the mean time:
1. Elected and agency officials work for you only if you put them to work. So, put them to work by asking for something specific, compelling, and actionable.
2. A handshake still rules. Despite the rise of social media and e-mail, no electronic form of communication comes close to the power of a face-to-face meeting with an elected or agency official. You should be meeting with your Member of Congress and Senators (or their staff) AT LEAST once a year, and probably more.
3. Take the long view. Government affairs is a repeat business based on existing relationships. New programs, funding, and business opportunities are created all the time. Your goal is to be ‘top of mind’ when this happens.
4. Introduce yourself. Begin your meeting at the 30,000 foot level. Review your organization’s history and provide an overview of your current projects or proposals, your programmatic focus, size, and your existing relationships. Be prepared to tell them your annual budget and where your funding comes from.
5. It’s not the more the merrier! Craft your meetings with elected officials around one or two specific, attainable, and compelling goals. Don’t make a shopping list.
6.Your credit-worthiness is being judged. Elected officials, like your loan officer, judge your credit (also known as political capital). The key to building political capital is to show off your company’s specific accomplishments; provide proof that what you’re saying is true, and highlight your community connections.
7. Be honest. Be prepared to answer any and all questions about your topic, or bring someone with you who can. If you don’t know the answer to a question asked by an elected or agency official, say you don’t know, and offer to follow up with staff.
8. Be considerate. Answer questions simply and clearly; do not go on ad nauseum. Treat staff with respect and courtesy. Show up five minutes early, but expect the elected official to be late.
9. Don’t be shy. Did the elected or agency official use an acronym you don’t know? Ask. Do you have questions about how a particular program works? Ask. He or she will be more than happy to answer.
10. It’s just like Mom said: a timely, genuine, and specific thank-you letter should follow any meeting with an elected or agency official. Address the letter to the official, but send it, electronically and in hard copy, to the staff who attended the meeting.
November 25, 2009
Bodies at Rest and Bodies in Motion
Momentum is a concept that applies to government affairs too. A policy or project management plan should plot out the entire legislative strategy, from start to finish. But it should also prepare to seize any momentum that comes, and duck any swiftly moving planets, because hauling a political issue/project to the front burner when it has been simmering on the back burner is time consuming and expensive.
Political momentum is fueled or slowed by some of the following
- Political capital on the table
- Key project leaders' commitment to the issue
- Key advocate's relationships
