We're Not Gonna Protest - We're Gonna Get Involved

One of the most defining moments in the epic film PCU starring Jeremy Piven is whe he stands up in front of a team of students and faculty members starting a chant that "We're Not Gonna Protest!"


Protest from Lindsey Breeden on Vimeo.

The point of the scene is to illustrate how far a campus society has gone in protesting everything.  Today however we see this happening far beyond just college campuses.

Sure there are the University of Missouri protests going on.  We've heard about the issues where the Oklahoma Weslyan University has pushed back on student protest. And Media professors trying to ban reporters from protests.

Then there are the academic circles trying to boycott involvement with Israel through divestment.  And now apparently Donald Trump is threatening to boycott (again) the next CNN debate (12/15) if they don't give him $5 million that he will then give to pro-veterans charities.  And Macy's, and Starbucks, and Univision, and countless other random things (Seriously? Glenfiddich?)... oooh just found some more here.

Outside of the fact that this isn't how debates work, how charitable contributions work, or how candidates conduct themselves, this is an example of how things get taken too far.  There are perfectly legitimate reasons to protest.  There are perfectly legitimate reasons to boycott.  More than reasons, there are more legitimate ways to protest things, and better ways to spend your efforts:

- Can you find a way to address an issue that doesn't throw the problem in people's faces?  I live in a community where there is a private college that has expanded greatly in the last 10 years.  More than that they have impacted the neighborhoods.  Despite having a very open door policy, most people have chosen to throw fits online and at city council meetings.  Most of these issues could have been handled with a few sit down discussions rather than riling up anger in people.

- Can you engage community members before the media?  Most groups come out and the first thing they do is hold a press conference.  It's annoying if there really isn't anyone behind this effort. It also dampens your credibility when it appears that you are the only one working on an issue.

- Can you drop the problem after the issue is done?  The second worse thing to deal with is the person who just jumps issue to issue seeking relevance.  That's no to say you can't have a role, or more than one issue you want to work on, but have a real reason.  Don't just be that person looking for a cause to protest, be that person who stands for something.

- Can you not take offense to every little thing that happens?  So many people are involved in so many things that they focus only on the thing that they take offense to rather than working on the core issue.  Socrates said "When the debate is lost, slander becomes the tool of the loser."  It appears in most discussions these days that before the debate is even had, offense becomes the tool of the weaker side.

- Can you find a solution that works for both sides? The other problem with the weaker sides is that they become so staunch in their position that they fail to find middle ground, commonality, or points of concession.  The share economy is proving that repeatedly.  In the case of Uber, the Taxi companies are calling for all out opposition.  In the case of AirBnB its neighborhood control vs. property rights.  Both instances bring opportunities for discussion.  But in each case some people are not working to find that middle spot.

Negotiations and compromise are the realities of our form of government.  Working together to find solutions is much more important than fighting losing causes from a stringent standpoint.

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5 Quick Ideas - Training Community Leaders

Organizations engaged politically often say that it would be a lot easier if the people elected were from their ranks.  Short of being able to do that, you can work with organizations to make sure everyone elected understands your organization - something few organizations take full advantage of in advancing their agendas.

However if you take one moment to think about who actually runs government policy, it is people who are involved in different organizations around the community.  Finding ways to bring other organizations in to your vision is a great way to advance your policy with leaders current and future.

IDEA 1 - PARTNER WITH THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
This is a natural for any organization.  Every community leader is involved.  Every community leader.  Getting involved is important, but even more important is working with them.  Often they are looking for information to present to their members, your public presentations on your policies are an easy fit.  Even better teaching others how you came to your "economic impact" information about what you do.  Co sponsoring events elevates them and you.

IDEA 2 - OFFER A PUBLIC SCHOOL/ EVENT
Candidate school, about our industry school, meet our leaders event.  All things that someone who wants to be involved would come to.  Then target your invite list to current and future elected officials.  Bring them in and teach them what you need them to know.  Listed in there is a candidate school, maybe you partner with business groups and offer one to candidates for free.  You have a captive audience of leaders to learn about you.

IDEA 3 - LEADERSHIP SERIES
Most communities offer a class of "Leadership (insert community here)" which is supposed to be the key individuals running organizations, getting involved with the community, and likely to become elected officials.  Often the Chamber of Commerce is involved.  Often people from other important groups you wouldn't have access to are involved.  They are always looking for important content.  Having a part where you present the important impacts of your organization to the community goes a long way, and you could begin to educate future leaders on your issues.

IDEA 4 - COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES AS A RESOURCE
You'd be surprised how many elected officials serve as adjunct professors at local colleges and universities.  You'd also be surprised how many important public studies are handled by college and university departments.  Building relationships at the college and university faculty and administration level, you would be able to shape your relationship in the community beyond what you would otherwise.

IDEA 5 - THINK ABOUT THE PTA
Yeah, I know, what does the PTA have to do with your organization?  More people run for local office out of the local PTAs and School Boards than anywhere else.  So what can you do with them?  Sponsor their upcoming events:
- It may be as simple as providing gift cards for their raffles
- You might be able to develop an educational field trip for the schools to your site
- You might be able to offer older computers/ materials/ tools/ whatever machinery you have available to the school
Building those relationships and promoting the value of your organization is incredibly important.

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5 Quick Ideas - Community Groups and Coalitions

Building your presence in the community means more than knowing the key players.  It means building a relationship with the organizations that drive your community.  The unique position you have is that you can build these organizations if they don't exist, and when they do, you can be the coalition builder in just a few simple steps:

1) COME WITH IDEAS - There are plenty of things you can work together on as organizations.  Maybe its an update on the current trends in your industry, maybe its a policy discussion.  Being able to bring things to work on together is what will lead to gravitation in your direction.

2) MEET ON COMMON GROUNDS - Where is it important to be seen, and who is it important to be seen with is sometimes even more important than what it is you are doing.  Presence is about building a relationship not just for yourself, but for others.  Being able to make the right introduction to the right person can be more valuable than anything else.  As such making sure you always find opportunities to meet in a public place where other leaders congregate is a great idea.  If you don't know where that is, make one - set one meeting with one person at a location at 3, and an hour later someone else, and introduce them in passing.

3) DON'T PUSH - Coalitions are easy to build, but even easier to destroy.  Knowing when you are at the edge of what the group is comfortable with is an important factor to making sure your organization continues on.  There will be plenty of times where you drive the discussion, and plenty of times where you are dragging others along to a common goal.  But be sure to recognize those warning signs that you are going beyond their comfort zone.

4) SERVICE FIRST - Many of these organizations are predicated on the notion that service to the community is the goal of the organization.  Even business focused organizations.  It may not be your direct interest, it may not even be something you fully understand, but sometimes throwing caution to the wind and diving in to lend a helping hand in something you have no connection to goes much further than anything else, especially knowing that you are trying to drive an issue sometime soon.

5) FOLLOW UP - Anything you come up with, work on, decide, or even just show up for requires follow up in community groups.  Why?  Because no one does any follow up, and sometimes things you've asked for get forgotten.  Plus showing some initiative to follow up positions you as a leader, and someone people can rely on.  Use this to your advantage whenever possible.

Coalitions and community groups are great places to find support for issues, but the relationship must be there first. Build that and you will have more success.

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5 Quick Ideas - Outreach to Community Leaders

One of the most overlooked components of an organization's success is its perception and support within the community.  This goes for both the community it represents, and the community where it is located.  This is an important distinction, however the process of being engaged and effective in these communities is the same.

The best way to address this opportunity is to follow these steps -

1) Ask yourself - What opportunities exist in your communities?  What spaces do you need to be in, in order to be effective?  Who do you need to know in the community?  Who will be important in making those connections and opportunities for you?

2) Start With Elected Officials - They are probably the easiest group to identify and contact.  Your city council, local school board (don't overlook them), your state representatives, your members of congress - whomever is elected in your area - they are your first group to outreach to.  More importantly, they can recommend who else you should speak with.

3) Reach Out To Community Organizations - Fraternal organizations, business organizations, the chamber of commerce, local philanthropic organizations and the like typically house the community leaders in some capacity.  Knowing how to engage with them, and where to engage with them, is an important aspect of building that rapport with them.  Also consider church groups as many have greater influence than you've previously considered in the communities.

4) Talk To Your Affiliates - Whether that is a supplier, a business organization, an affiliated industry, or just people you've worked with in the community.  Bring them in to help you figure out where you need to connect.  They can also be helpful in making those connections.

5) Have An Offer - You don't want to start any relationship with an ask.  So instead plan to have something you can offer.  A business offering, a community resource, or just an opportunity to help.  Starting with an offer helps make your approach seem much more communal than self serving.

Reaching out to community leaders is simple, it's just taking the steps to officially do it that will matter.  Make sure your efforts are engaging, interesting and easy to support.

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5 Quick Ideas - Commmunicating Issues Externally

Every organization that has attempted to discuss issues impacting them has at one point or another been faced with opposition for being seen as "self serving." It's unavoidable. No matter what you do, it is going to to be said. Don't waste a single second being consumed about it. Just. Move. On.

That said, you should do your best to mitigate these comments. The previous section (LINK) covered how to have the discussion within your own organization - and many of these suggestions hold true for external communication as well - however there are ways to communicate externally that shift the discussion some. You should try to incorporate these.

REFRAME THE IMPACT - You know full well how your business/ industry/ organization will be impacted. However it makes a much more impacting presentation if you can show how this issue affects others - and can do so from their perspective. Have a brainstorming session to come up with the perspectives, and shape the discussion. Don't be afraid to invite in the groups you believe to be impacted to get their take on the issue.

BUILD THAT COALITION - Once you see how far out the impacts of an issue can go, bring in the groups that represent those impacted organizations. Get them on board. Coalitions are much more effective to the broader public than a lone voice.

THIRD PARTY IS KEY - Research. Information Sessions. Studies. All of these types of input are essential, but need to be at an arm's length. The more you can show that the impacts you are referring to were found by others and not commissioned by you, the better off you will be in communicating a believable position.

BE AVAILABLE - Once you start showing impacts to others, they are going to want to learn more. Making yourself available to explain further in detail will help serve that coalition building, as well as position you as being open, honest, and forthright on the issue.

KEEP IT IMPERSONAL - The fact of the matter is this - People take on a personal attachment to issues.  The more you can avoid this, the better.  Present everything calmly and dispassionately.  Receive opposition and criticism with compassion and understanding, and present alternative issues that the people opposing your position may not have considered.  You wont win them all over, but you will be seen as sincere - which to the undecided individuals will be important.

Know that you are going to face opposition - however doing nothing in the face of opposition is as good as letting the other side win.  Don't worry about any of the outside factors that could influence your success, just present your side.

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A Charge and a Responsibility

Recently, a spate of incidents have caused us all a little pause. 

• The miscommunication of emissions data at Volkswagen
• The responses to Ahmed Mohammed's clock
• The reactions to the Oregon Shooting

Pause that gives us an opportunity to reflect upon the veracity of our own operations as with others.

Not only that, but ask ourselves if we are living up to the responsibility that the public expects of us.  Each of these incidents, as with others, not only damage the reputation of the organization, but all of the other efforts of the organization.

For example, did you know that the problem with the Volkswagen engines applies to only one engine type, and not all of them (I was told there are 16 different engine types in production)?  However the perception is that Volkswagen lied about them all.

Or in the case of Ahmed Mohammed's clock - lost in the media narrative is the fact that the online community rushed to justice before we knew what was going on.

This rush to judgement also reared itself in the Oregon shooting where the call was for gun control measures when what is coming out is this was more of a hate crime than what has happened in the recent past with mental illness.

So what does this have to do with you and your Charge and Responsibility as an organization?

Everything.

Had Volkswagen been honest about the issue up front, and also explained the extent of their product lines, we wouldn't be seeing their cuts in prices and employees as a result.

Had people waited to see what Ahmed's clock really looked like, comments like Bill Maher's wouldnt have been so disconcerting.


Had gun advocates / manufacturers / owners spent a little time better explaining about guns and their impact, we might have had a better understanding of what occurred.

There is a responsibility that you take on as an organization - to the public at large - to have an understanding of what you do and how.  And even if you've said it once, you need to keep saying it to the public to keep your engagement top of mind.

Imagine if the Mortgage Industry - Lenders, the National Mortgage Bankers Association, and National Association of Mortgage Brokers - had not only taken on the responsibility of explaining the impacts of the different loans to the public, but collectively educated investors as to the depth and nature of securitizing mortgages could do when repackaged.

Would we have experienced that downturn so deeply?

That's not to say that it was their responsibility to do so, but instead that there is a missed opportunity in instances like this to provide resources to the community on the product you offer.

Along the lines of knowing what your priorities are, you should also know why they SHOULD be priorities to others.

Examining that component alone will help you see what your opportunities are to provide education to the community on what you do.

For example, THIS article about the Texas Instruments graphic calculator that we all used to use is still ubiquitous in high school math classes.  Now this article does attack Texas Instruments about the conditions around this calculator, but what is important here is about halfway down.

Texas Instruments has established a great amount of resources for its users surrounding this product:

• A group of teachers trained to teach other teachers how to use it in their classroom
• An annual conference for teachers on using the calculator
• An 800 help line to assist teachers and users with the calculator
• Partnerships with text book publishers on coordinating their use of the calculator

Now the article presents this as a self fulfilling monopoly on these calculators that exists for the purposes of securing their marketshare.

Despite those allegations, what Texas Instruments has done is create a cadre of resources around one of their offerings to ensure that people have a lot of understanding on the offering you make.  

How can you emulate that kind of understanding and resources around what you do?

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5 Quick Ideas - The Issues That Define You

Knowing what you stand for is a key element of being successful.  It also defines what others will be committing to when they want to support your efforts.  Because of this, defining your issues is critical.

This is a guide to help you maintain and define what issues will be important to your effort.

SET BOUNDARIES - You would be surprised how quickly you can get sucked into an issue you have nothing to do with.  It is why we defined this as key in getting started.  Define who you are.  Define what matters to you.  Define how you get involved in issues.

ESTABLISH PROCEDURES - There are going to be issues that aren't your core issue that you still need to address.  Know how to get there, ways to engage issues, groups you can partner with.  And then define procedures for issues that are core to you, and those that are not your core.

CLARIFY YOUR POSITION - Knowing what you stand for is one thing, being able to get others to understand is another.  Spend the extra time figuring out how others can understand what you are communicating to them.  The clearer your comment is, the better the response will be.

PLAN FOR WHAT YOU DIDN'T EXPECT - Identifying the issues that matter are one thing.  Its the issues you didn't think of that will get you.  How are you going to address those?  How are you going to advocate for these issues?  How are you going to get approval to move forward?

UNDERSTANDING PRIORITIES - What's important to you is not necessarily important to the body deciding the issue.  Seeing what their issues are and where your ideas might intersect will help define what you can accomplish in the near and long term.  You want to have success, and it may not come first in your biggest issue.  That may be a good thing.

Issues done right with the right leadership will be the success of your program long term.

Making Use of the August Recess

So Congress is out of session for the summer recess.  Your state legislature may be as well.  For that matter... many city councils go dark in August as well.  However your issues still persist.

Over the next couple of weeks you have a real opportunity to capitalize on the off season to get your agenda accomplished.  Here are 5 quick ways to keep your issues top of mind for the key decision makers necessary.

1. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR - no, very few people are swayed by these.  That isn't the point, the point is who does still read these - Your elected officials.  They know that their name could easily show up, so you should remind them of your issue.  Bonus points if you target the districts that your swing votes are likely to be.
2. FUNDRAISERS - Just because they aren't working, doesn't mean that they aren't still working for money for their campaign.  Show up at a few, bring people.  There are two things every fundraiser needs - bodies and money.  So bring them, maybe work out a deal with the fundraiser to bring more people.
3. COMMUNITY EVENTS - Whatever is the most important thing in your area, you bet your elected officials are going to be there.  A street fair, Rotary club meetings, whatever it may be.  If they are there, so should you.
4. IN DISTRICT MEETINGS - Most of the time these breaks aren't vacations.  They just work from the district.  Set up some time to meet with your elected officials in their local offices.
5. SET UP A DINNER - Fundraiser? Perhaps.  Meeting? Sure.  A chance to sit down with the elected official and introduce them to community leaders in an informal setting... That's a great way to make their acquaintance on a whole new level.

These breaks are an incredible opportunity.  You don't always have to go to their office to get things done, you can often make a difference just by being present.

Another trip to the Capitols

This month, I will get the opportunity to hit up my state capitol, and Washington DC.

One of the great things about working in advocacy is the ability to see what congress actually works like.  And the sad side of that is seeing how far off the general public's view of the members of congress is.

The general view people have is that the congress is broken because nothing ever gets done.  For the better part of 2 years congress' overall approval ratings has been in the teens.

At the same time the re election rate in congress is actually higher than the soviet politburo was.

So essentially the public says "congress is the problem, except for my congressman."

Well the truth is the problem isn't congress or any individual congressperson, but the fact that we don't hold our members of congress more accountable for action.

The reason we don't hold them accountable is because we generally don't pay attention to what they are doing.

Our members of congress are in general good people who want to do good things. Regardless of political persuasion, background, or supporters this is generally true.  The difference between them is less about party, or if they are corrupt, but instead how they see getting good things accomplished, and the priority with which they place those issues.

So if you want to truly know your member of congress, or how to get them engaged on things. Here is a fool proof plan to success:

STEP ONE - don't be a one issue / one position / one approach person

Know all the issues. Know all the stances. Know which are priorities. Know how to promote things that may not be your first priority.

STEP TWO - don't try to eat the elephant in one bite

Legislation takes time, and change needs to be an evolution. If you look at the history of any policy you love or hate it started small and took time to grow.

STEP THREE - stay on top of things

Information about what is going on in DC or your state Capitol, or even your city hall is very easy to follow. No it's not as easy to digest as a reality tv show or as entertaining as a sit com, but there are resources that can make the issues much more accessible. Check out thehill.com politico.com and fivethirtyeight 

STEP FOUR - don't just follow one point of view

It's easy to just watch fox, or just watch msnbc, or just watch cnn.  However when you do that, you never challenge your own thoughts, and you never see how anyone else could view an issue. In other words, it's like talking into a mirror. You learn from other perspectives

STEP FIVE - don't become that guy/gal

Here's the thing. Neither Bush nor Obama are like Hitler.  And that kind of talk makes you look like a lunatic. So stay away from that, it does nothing for anyone, anywhere, anyhow.

Five steps and you'll quickly become an involved engaged person.  You might also find that your congressman is the problem and that the congress isn't!

The Not-So-"Rad" Reality of Urban Planning

Gilbert is a suburb of Phoenix, that as recently as about ten years ago was considered "Hinterlands."

Now however it has blossomed into a sizable town in an area that keeps growing.

There is a plan to put in a permanent BMX Facility that can host major events.  According to the president of BMX USA up to twice a year. 

A 4,000 seat facility, covered (because as it turns out, Arizona is hot), national headquarters AND an Olympic Training facility that could make Gilbert FINALLY a destination... Instead of all the spill over from Chandler, its neighbor who has properly capitalized on every opportunity imaginable.

For all you kids of the '80's that means that "Hell Track" is close to reality. 

So how did the neighbors react to this?  By protesting it because of "noise and traffic."

2 times a year. 

Here's the thing people, I get that you want to preserve your way of life, but when you get an opportunity like this, you take it. You don't complain about "noise and traffic" 2 times a year.  Why? Because the applicant can just as easily go somewhere else. Then you lose all the opportunity that project would have brought.  

Look at Fullerton, Ca who lost out on the tax revenues of the Brea Mall and the cultural benefits of the Norton Simon Museum - both of which were supposed to be in Fullerton before the cries of "traffic and noise."

Those are lost opportunities.

Here we are, coming up on a year later,  and there has been no movement since the city rejected this plan in April of last year.

However the question becomes, who is to blame? The neighbors (for complaining), the city council (for lacking the foresight or political will), the planning department (for not properly showing the benefits of the projects), the applicant (for not framing their vision correctly), or the Public Affairs Firm (if there was one) for not framing it correctly?

Accepting growth means accepting vision.  If you can't sell your vision, you can't sell your project.  Just as people didn't see a need for the iPad (which incidentally I was one, and am currently writing this post from) people saw the vision.  Your project / plan / idea needs to paint that same vision for everyone to accept the change.

What are you doing that could use a little vision engineering?  And are you doing it?

Intent and Reception

One of the biggest challenges anyone faces is how is what they are going to be received.

Let's take a look at a very clear example of this -

Valentines Day

The intent is to encourage everyone to appreciate the love in their lives.

The reception however may not match up.

Many women resent the holiday because it minimizes the need for love the other 364 days of the year.

Many men resent the holiday because it forces them to spend unnecessarily for items that are completely superfluous.

Both are missing the intent.

If you hate the holiday - as many do - make up for it by showing the sentiment year round.

If you love the holiday - make sure your expression of it doesn't drive others away.

Similarly look at your OWN intention and reception.

Is what you are doing / saying / promotion / selling / etc. being seen by those on the other end the way you intend for them to receive it?  If not, is it something you can change?

The key to successful organizations is being aware of their communications.  You will never please everyone, but its better to make sure those you are pleasing are able to spread your message without running into a negative reception on the other end.

Stepping up YOUR game

Congressional Quarterly just released several interesting reports examining the 2014 election cycle.

Associations: 5 Big Movers from CQ Roll Call

The goal is examining what associations have fundamentally advanced their political efforts (combining lobbying and PAC spending).  The National Association of REALTORS topped their list (REALTORS also topped the CQ list of PAC fundraising and spending)

Government Affairs Strategies, LLC has been pleased to be part of the team that helped make this a reality for the past 5 years.  We know the hard work and dedication that went into this success.

So what would it mean to take YOURS organization to this level? It comes down to several key things -

1) Commitment - this took many years, a lot of time, and a great deal of money. The results are clear, but to get there you must be ready to commit. We've also worked with organizations that weren't ready to commit, and their results are also clear. So look internally and ask if you are ready to implement the necessary strategies and steps to succeed.

2) Awareness - the REALTORS have always been strong. Where they are today however took a realization that a) the game has changed, and b) they need to make fundamental changes to remain strong. They were also aware that there was a lot they didn't know - even about their own oeganization and members - so they assembled the right team to figure it out.

3) Ever-growing goals - You can not rest on your laurels. If you do, it gives everyone a chance to catch up, or worse - surpass you. By setting attainable yet challenging goals that evolve, you are able to stay ahead of the curve.

4) The RIGHT team - all the plans and goals you make are pointless if you don't have a good team behind them making sure those plans and goals are accomplished. Get the right volunteers, the right members, the right staff and the right consultants in place. Build the needed resources. Empower everyone to succeed.

We've been honored to help drive the REALTORS to success. It truly has been a great experience. 

-- oh, and by the way, we know what's in store for the future there... And you ain't seen NOTHIN' yet!

What are my odds? Can polling predict your future?

“C-3PO: Sir, the possibility of successfully navigating an asteroid field is approximately 3,720 to 1.

Han Solo: Never tell me the odds!”

With several upsets and surprises in the recent elections both at the federal, state and local levels, many candidates might be scratching their heads wondering if knowing their polling numbers was a good or a bad thing while campaigning.  And for many election season might have made them feel like Han Solo in Star Wars fighting through an asteroid field.  But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t know your odds.

Whether your polling shows you up 10 points or down 10 points at the beginning, middle or towards the end of the campaign, anything can happen on Election Day! We are a fickle voting public and our minds change easily and rapidly.  Knowing your odds, knowing your polling numbers, knowing the perception voters have of you, are all vital aspects to your campaign.  Polling may not be an exact science but it’s still an essential part of having a glimpse into your future.

As Yoda once said, “Difficult to see.  Always in motion is the future.”