There seems to be a whole lot of activity happening in the normally quiet, restful period known as August “recess”. I use quiet and restful loosely here, because it’s just a matter of perspective. From the view point of district staff for members of congress it’s a time to dread the frenetic activity that ensuesContinue reading “3 Advocacy Basics You Can Do, Right Now”
Tag Archives: grassroots
Burning Capital
My prediction from a week and a half ago is progressing nicely. If you recall the post from last Tuesday (So, What’s Next?), I laid out four expectations I had for the next several months in American politics. One is being ramped up as I write this piece. Right now, the Biden administration is runningContinue reading “Burning Capital”
It’s probably time to expand your definition of community
By making these commitments to the broader community, successful advocates can open doors to a network that will exponentially expand their political impact.
So, What’s Next?
For two dreadfully long weeks, Americans have wrestled with the events unfolding in Afghanistan – punctuated by the tragic loss of service members at the Kabul airport. But with the final American planes taking to the skies, many of us are left wondering: what’s next? There’s still a great deal of story left to beContinue reading “So, What’s Next?”
Choose Principles Over Polls
You can neither build back better, nor make America great again by refusing the role of leadership in the free world.
The Pesky Problems of a Crisis Mindset
“If everything is a priority, then nothing is a priority.” Some Marine Officer, sometime I honestly can’t remember just when I heard this USMC truism, but it’s one of those that I encountered repeatedly in uniform. It may not be fully fair, but I’m going to accredit this one to my former Commanding Officer. ForContinue reading “The Pesky Problems of a Crisis Mindset”
3 Steps to Keeping a Level Head in Politics
Despite my best efforts, I still get worked up from time to time. I get heated, frustrated, and perturbed by the day-to-day in politics. Those are the moments when, just months later, I’ll find myself looking back and wondering why? Why did I let it get to me? I had one of those retrospective momentsContinue reading “3 Steps to Keeping a Level Head in Politics”
“I Want You to be Wildly Successful”
Has anyone ever told you that? That statement has been running through my mind the last few days. I heard those words from an organizational leader once as I was entering a new role. Predictably that well chosen phrase fortified me. How freeing to be told, from the opening bell, to pursue change, growth andContinue reading ““I Want You to be Wildly Successful””
Yes, You Can Be Too Scripted
“I just don’t know what to say. Can you write it out for me?” No. That should be the unequivocal, unwavering answer from any grassroots manager. No, we should never – under any circumstances – write out a script for our volunteers. Why? Advocacy isn’t a performance art. In its purest form, advocacy is simplyContinue reading “Yes, You Can Be Too Scripted”
Climate Policy and American Exceptionalism: ‘Lead by Example’ is the Wrong Argument
Americans are competitors. It’s in our national DNA. That’s why I’m convinced President Biden’s administration is faltering when they argue ‘leading by example’ in the discussion of climate solutions. For better or worse, our national conscience is often driven by a finite, winner-take-all mindset driven by the way we talk about the issues and challengesContinue reading “Climate Policy and American Exceptionalism: ‘Lead by Example’ is the Wrong Argument”
Part of the Possible 