I’ve written about this before, but it bears repeating: your volunteer advocates are the most valuable, and the most underutilized resource for your organization. There’s data to back this up. The Congressional Management Foundation has looked into the concept for years. Their conclusions are pretty startling. While an overwhelming majority of senior staff and legislatorsContinue reading “Storytelling for Advocates 101”
Category Archives: Advocacy
Opposing Isn’t Good Enough
I’m watching an absolutely painful interview clip right now. I’m not going to offer context out of respect for the victim, er, interviewee. But suffice it to say that a public persona is being re-defined in front of my eyes. In watching this particularly brutal exchange, I’m reminded of a lesson from former Speaker ofContinue reading “Opposing Isn’t Good Enough”
5 Keys to a Successful Summer Advocacy Event
I don’t know about you, but I’ve always struggled more in the creative process when I’m starting with a blank page. There’s something about a skeleton document that can at least kickstart your efforts – and that rings true for summer advocacy event planning. If you’re looking to move past that blank page, this postContinue reading “5 Keys to a Successful Summer Advocacy Event”
Beware the Poison Pill of “Unified” Government
Taxes are the talk of the town right now. In the wake of President Biden’s address to the nation, those in the world of politics have switched into high gear. Scrambling for details, countless groups are working the phones trying to get a better understanding of just what will be included in the administration’s loomingContinue reading “Beware the Poison Pill of “Unified” Government”
Now is the Time to Re-Evaluate Your Plan
Well, here we go! Big news in Ohio last night as Governor DeWine announced a formal return to normalcy on June 2. More than a year into our fight against COVID-19, folks across the Buckeye state will get back to it. But what does that mean for advocacy organizations? Within my own planning for thisContinue reading “Now is the Time to Re-Evaluate Your Plan”
Climate Tribalism is Stifling Advancement
I’ve got a major concern about the debate surrounding climate change: paradigms. Over the past several months, my work has been consumed by the debate surrounding global climate change. Beyond causes, the frenetic activity in the administration and Congress have both lent a new urgency to the search for meaningful solutions in the realms ofContinue reading “Climate Tribalism is Stifling Advancement”
Jumpstart Your Advocates’ Infinite Mindsets
The Infinite Game. That’s a pretty heady title, right? Building on his success with Leaders Eat Last and Start With Why, Simon Sinek did not disappoint with the work he released in 2019. The Infinite Game was such a compelling piece that, in large measure, it served as the catalyst toward the eventual launch ofContinue reading “Jumpstart Your Advocates’ Infinite Mindsets”
A Few Things to Know About the Budget Process
The beauty of the federal budget process is that no one really knows how the budget works. There’s a great scene in, the much bemoaned, season 5 of The West Wing where Josh Lyman relays just that sentiment. And I’d argue, that at the federal level, not much has changed since that episode aired. ContraryContinue reading “A Few Things to Know About the Budget Process”
In Hard Times, Break Bread Together
Last week, I wrote about The Weight of Our Words, and the importance of semantics, or ensuring that we place the appropriate context and gravity on the words we choose in advocacy. In that piece, I indicated that today I’d be writing about how to engage with those who we expect to oppose our issues.Continue reading “In Hard Times, Break Bread Together”
Another Day in Ohio Politics…
You know, I had a plan for this week. I knew just what I was going to write about. Wouldn’t you know it, I even had one of my posts DRAFTED 3 days early. And then Ohio political news struck AGAIN! This morning, over his various social media platforms, Ohio Congressman Steve Stivers announced heContinue reading “Another Day in Ohio Politics…”
Part of the Possible 