Advocacy Strategies
Coalitions
If the membership of an association is small in numbers, or if a large association needs additional political strength, coalitions with other special interest groups can be formed to broaden the base of support for a particular position. Surprisingly, natural political enemies often become public policy advocacy partners from time to time. For example, labor leaders and business management are often at odds with each other on issues being considered by legislative bodies. But on an issue concerning job creation or international competitiveness, labor and management in many nations may join together to support passage of mutually beneficial policies.
Policy Partners
Associations need to find like-minded partners in the legislative process. Allies with similar interests can be drawn into a special-purpose coalition. In political battles before lawmakers, there are no permanent enemies, only permanent issues. Yesterday’s adversary might be tomorrow’s colleague on a totally different legislative topic. In many countries, coalitions among large and small organizations are desperately needed in order to change anti-democratic government policies that are inhibiting economic growth.
Partnership for Progress
Government and business associations and chambers of commerce in successful economies work together as partners with a common goal-improving the living conditions of all the people by creating additional job opportunities. Sound governmental policies foster investment and encourage entrepreneurs and help create economic growth. Good paying, safe, productive jobs provide the underpinning for profitable business endeavors that in turn lead to strong local and national governments and economies.
Grassroots Advocacy
Members are asked to contact their elected representatives via mail, telephone, fax, and e-mail. Also, members are often urged to get others outside the organization involved in writing letters or making telephone calls to office-holders. This type of activity has become known as grass-roots advocacy; a network of people spreading like grass-roots. The grassroots of an association member might spread to family members, suppliers, employees, customers, and profession services including lawyers, account-ants, and engineers. The members ask these people to support the public policy position by writing, telephoning, or seeing key political decisionmakers.
Do your Homework
Regardless of which advocacy strategy you pursue one of the best ways to successfully change public policies is to develop extensive information on how laws and regulations affect businesses and their employees, investors, suppliers, and customers. This information can be accumulated in a number of ways. Start by surveying the members of the association and supplement these findings with data collected by world organizations such as the United Nations. Forming partnerships with local researchers such as university professors or research institutes is also an effective way to gather information. Government agencies in most nations have data such as tax revenues and tax rates that are useful in analyzing policy issues. Having a wealth of information becomes powerful leverage for implementing change.
When it comes time to meet with office-holders, remember these admonitions: Be brief. Be factual. Be truthful. Ask for his or her support on a specific vote or ask for sponsorship of a proposal.
