In the current legislative environment, Beltway advocates, grassroots professionals and communicators can get demoralized or worse, start suffering from “Trumpression.”
For public affairs professionals, this anxiety can stem from not having tangible progress to show their clients or in-house leadership. In the absence of major events like committee hearings or legislative roll calls, identifying advocacy milestones can be difficult.
That’s why we have identified some advocacy actions that can help prove value as the longer-term legislative and regulatory processes grind on. In the era of seemingly permanent D.C. gridlock, it’s critical to remain both active and relevant from a business perspective. It helps keep clients happy and gives PA professionals something to highlight in a pitch. Here are some ways to keep an operation humming during a legislative downturn.
Showcase appropriations prowess
Many of the organization we represent closely follow the money for federal agencies, programs or specific initiatives and pursue competitive grants to help them achieve core missions. Keeping an eagle eye on the federal budget and appropriations process, as well as agency actions on grant solicitations and awards, can bolster our efforts and show value.
Testify on an agency advisory panel
It’s a feather in an organization’s cap to have an expert selected by a senator or House member to speak before a committee. But if those opportunities aren’t as plentiful, look elsewhere. Most federal agencies have advisory panels to seek expert guidance and counsel. This is an opportunity to provide recommendations for possible government action, funding, programming or specific projects. It also provides a secondary media opportunity to showcase the official testimony after the fact.
Land a meeting at a federal agency
Sure, we all want to score a face-to-face audience with the president of the United States or cabinet members. But if that’s too toxic, or the connections aren’t there, try for federal agency directors.
These meetings offers significant opportunities to inject input and to develop lasting, trust-based relationships.
Stage an event outside the Beltway
Members of congress and senior staff welcome partnering on events back home, including plant tours, teaching in classrooms, groundbreakings and dedications, celebrating organizational milestones, announcing grants, holding job fairs, and many other cross-promotional venues. Take advantage of their willingness to score a photo-op.
Fundraise for your PAC
Carrying out creative ideas for fundraising or hosting education events for potential donors can add value to your overall goals and provide more resources for legislative and regulatory efforts.
Run a charity drive
The non-profit community — including associations, colleges and universities and coalitions – always needs diversity in its fundraising and friend-raising initiatives. Consider reaching out to a member or relevant senior federal agency representation to offer a keynote speaking slot at a charity event. That kind of ask can be combined with hosting a VIP session with donors before or after the public event.
Align with a celebrity, athlete, newsmaker or youth group
Now is a good time to seek out a celebrity, athlete, newsmaker, top business person or youth group to become engaged in your organization’s advocacy efforts. This adds validation to key messages, attracts new policymakers and influencers, makes headlines and, importantly, increases social media participation. Policymakers, federal agency decisionmakers and the media gravitate to young people involved in government and the political process.
Enter awards competitions
The grassroots, public affairs, public relations and advertising industry associations offer a rage of meaningful award competitions for your organization to test your talent among peers. Also, many trade associations have internal awards programs for individuals, coalitions or single organizations. Sharing the news that you won an award for a campaign with a client or organization you represent deepens your relationship and leads to more trust. Federal agencies also occasionally offer awards for superior service.
Joshua Habursky is director of advocacy at the Independent Community Bankers of America, chairman of the Grassroots Professional Network, and adjunct professor at West Virginia University.
Mike Fulton directs the Washington office of the Asher Agency and teaches public affairs in West Virginia University's Integrated Marketing Communications program.