Last night I went live on TikTok. Why? Because I had writer’s block. I honestly didn’t know what to write about today. So I asked those on the live session what their questions were. I wanted to know, very simply, what mattered to them.
After a little bit of time talking about what a lobbyist is and does, there was a really simple question that I thought I’d answer here today:
“I want to do more for this cause I care about. Besides giving money to some group, what can I do? Where can I start?”
– Chris, Houston, TX
This is a topic I’ve posted about a few times on this site, and it’s a key point I raise with the advocates I train. One of the common barriers to participating in politics and advocacy is as simple as not knowing where to start. We don’t feel empowered enough to act as individuals, and we may even think that it’s just not worth the effort. Does that sound familiar to you?
Well here’s the thing – no one can fault you for feeling that way!
Have you ever tried to search for an advocacy organization without having its name handy? It’s not all that easy! Not many folks would get past the first page on Google without more than a little confusion.
Some geographic areas do have organizations that attempt to make it just a little easier. Here in Columbus, Ohio our Chamber of Commerce maintains a website listing advocacy organizations. But even that feels incomplete and daunting.
But taking the time to find a team to bolster you as an advocate is a worthy investment.
Public policy is complex and confusing at any level. From local ordinances to the federal register, trying to decipher laws and regulations is burdensome and time consuming. And no matter how passionate we may be about any one issue, that complexity can make keeping up with changes untenable.
That’s where a good team becomes your force multiplier.
Trade associations, non-profits, and citizen groups can help you stay informed on what really matters to your issue. They can stay on top of the process and allow you to insert yourself when it’s time to share the personal experiences of those dealing with an issue. They take care of the process, allowing you to focus on humanizing the issue.
That’s incredibly valuable. It allows us to still show up for what we believe while not missing a beat as professionals, parents, students – you name it. They help us show up in any season of our lives.
That’s a massive value-add.
But what’s more, they can also empower us to persevere in the fight. Let’s face it, the policy process doesn’t move as fast as many of us think it should on issues we champion. The grind of the policy process will wear you down – all the more quickly if you’re going it alone. Endurance is the name of the game and a good team can keep you engaged by making sure you don’t invest your time, talents and treasure when they won’t help. That’s massively valuable to you and your sanity.
One final thought...
I’ve had this quote running through my mind for a few weeks now…
I think we should be honest with ourselves that, often, when we choose to commit to a cause, we want to be the hero. We want to be the one who makes an impact. That’s a great competitive edge to have.
But it can’t be our motivating factor to act.
Joining with a team helps keep our egos in check. It reminds us that we’re one part of a much bigger effort. That can keep us from stumbling. It can make us more credible. And it can keep us humble. Those are all traits sought out by decision-makers when they’re looking to their constituencies for guidance.
When we choose to partner with an effective team, we can align our actions with Morrow’s observation above. We can take the first step to making sure we are one of the doers, and prevent ourselves from becoming one of the credit seekers. The team can keep us grounded.
You may not yet feel ready to jump into the fray for your cause. That’s ok. But when you are, focus first on aligning yourself with a team. Use resources like Guidestar.org to search for the non-profits and social clubs focused on what you care about most. If you want to be a better advocate, find a team.
Part of the Possible 