GAStrategies

Mobilizing members in Government Affairs

Not getting the support you need from your members? Maybe you want to look at your committee structure and the role they play. Does your Government Affairs Committee primarily convene and struggle to find a reason to exist? Do they meet for the sake of meeting? Do they have an agenda? Do you have a chairman that is focused and stays on topic/track? Sometimes it may be necessary to reorganize your committee to ensure they accomplish what you need them to accomplish (adopt policy, provide oversight and guidance when necessary) and create task forces to address specific issues.

Before you look to mobilize your members, you will want to know what you want them to do. Do you need certain members to …

·         Serve on committees?

·         Attend public hearings?

·         Testify on certain issues?

·         Meet with their elected officials?

·         Respond to action alerts?

·         Volunteer on campaigns?

·         Contribute to the PAC?

The key to successful member mobilization is having a clear vision for what you want them to do.

 
Start by adopting a pro-active legislative agenda (no more than three issues) or a specific cause (stopping a specific piece of legislation, electing your endorsed candidates, etc.). Then, develop an effective communication plan to help your members understand the importance of the issue; address the challenges your industry faces, the solutions your organization has to offer, and your successes on past issues. Be sure to keep it simple and make sure you tell them how it affects their livelihood (don’t assume they know what the issue is or why it should be important to them). Access all communication vehicles available (don’t rely only on email). Tell them over and over. And then tell them again.

Now, only after your members are aware of what you’re trying to accomplish and have bought into your mission are you ready to ask them to take action (vote, call, email, invest, volunteer, etc.) on a specific cause.

Government Affairs Strategies LLC provides the experience and expertise needed to build effective government affairs programs.

Our team has the ideal mix of experience and understanding how associations operate, how they can be successful, how to develop effective government affairs programs, campaign strategies, issue advocacy campaigns, legislative tactics, message development, communications/media plans, grassroots member mobilization and PAC fundraising programs.

Let us know more about how you want to mobilize your members and how we can help you achieve your goals!