What role are you playing in the public policy
arena on behalf of your members?
As chambers of commerce, isn't that our primary
role to protect our small business members from government overregulation and
help them grow their business?
If you're not in the advocacy business, you should
be.
All the recent studies I've read,
including the recent third edition of the Western Association of Chamber Executives (W.A.C.E.) survey from chamber members across
the country are reporting that they want their chamber to play in the public
policy space. It's important to them.
I couldn't agree more.
Do you have a complete government affairs
program? Do you want to build one? I've always talked about an effective
government affairs program is like a three legged stool.
The three key elements are:
- Direct Lobbying
- Political
Action Committee (PAC)
- Grassroots
Direct
Lobbying
This is where you make direct contact with your
legislator and talk about your issue.
The lobbyist is responsible for knowing the issue and the opposite side
of the issue. It’s important to share
both sides and explain on why you’re on the right side. Shouldn’t all issues be voted on the merits
of the issue and what’s good for business?
Lobbying is about building relationships with your
legislator and their key staff. It’s just
as important that they know you and ultimately check with you before voting on
any legislation. That’s a sign that
you’re dialed in.
Political
Action Committee
It takes money to get elected and re-elected. PACs allow you to play an important role in
supporting legislators who support your issues.
PAC money is the toughest money to raise so it’s important that you
spend it wisely.
Do you have a set criteria laid out that is clear
and transparent on whom you support? If
not, you should. Chambers should be in
the business of supporting legislators who support the business community.
Grassroots
While some may argue it’s the most important, rest
assured you must have a robust grassroots program to allow you to be effective in the
legislative process. It shows that you
have support from the business community on a specific issue.
In grassroots, we talk about key contact or broad
based programs.
The key contact program is all about identifying
key leaders within your organization and having them contact the
legislator. These individuals are
already known by the legislator. They
already contribute to the legislator’s re-election campaign or maybe even
campaign for them.
The broad based program allows you to mobilize your
entire membership on a specific issue.
Both are important.
For your chamber, it's just good business being in the advocacy business!
