Offstage, I’m Still Talking About Advocacy It has been a while since I sent one of these. In my defense, I recently started doing stand-up again, and apparently open mics happen at 8 p.m. on weeknights. I am quickly learning that I may not be cut out for this rock-and-roll lifestyle, especially when it interferes with my marketing schedule and preferred bedtime. While I’ve been neglecting your inbox, I haven’t stopped writing and sharing my expertise offstage. Advocacy opportunities will come...
2 days ago • 1 min read
It's not too late to make August count. If you're just now thinking about scheduling an August recess meeting with your Senators or member of Congress, you've probably missed the window. District and state staff have been building August schedules for months, and by the time July rolls around, many lawmakers already have packed calendars filled with meetings, tours, town halls, and community events. Read this week's featured blog to learn how August recess actually works, why planning starts...
2 months ago • 1 min read
Busy or Focused? Many organizations are busy doing advocacy activities. They're sending action alerts, meeting with lawmakers, tracking bills, and showing up when something important happens. But activity and strategy are not the same thing. And that's where organizations often get stuck. And that means that they work incredibly hard but still struggle to build the kind of long-term influence they want. Here’s the deeper issue. When organizations don't have a clear advocacy strategy, every...
3 months ago • 1 min read
Sorry to break the news. Sine Die doesn’t mean your advocacy work is done. Most organizations spend all their energy on the legislative session. Then sine die hits and everyone says, "Thank goodness that's over. We can go on vacation now." The action alerts stop, the legislative updates disappear, and advocacy gets pushed aside until the next session. I get it. Legislative sessions are exhausting. But that's also where many organizations get it wrong. Here’s the deeper issue. Many...
3 months ago • 1 min read
You’re waiting too long. That's it. That's the secret. Every year, I watch organizations gear up for August recess. This is the time to make your case and finally get in front of your federal lawmakers. And your advocates don't even have to travel to DC! Win-Win! You tell your advocates to secure that coveted August recess meeting. Maybe they contact the DC staff (wrong office), or they reach out in July (too late). And then August comes ... and it’s underwhelming. It feels like you missed...
4 months ago • 1 min read
You’ve got the data. Your research is solid. You can explain the issue clearly. And yet... it’s still not landing. If you’ve ever walked out of a meeting with a lawmaker thinking, “They just didn’t get it,” this training is for you. I’m hosting a FREE session on how to use stories in advocacy that actually connect with decision-makers and help your message stick. Not to replace your data, but to use alongside it, so it’s something people can hear, remember, and act on. If Data Won, We’d Be...
5 months ago • 1 min read
Pride Month is coming, which means we’re about to see the same cycle play out again. Rainbow logos. Big statements. Corporate posts about inclusion. And then July 1 hits, and it all goes quiet. So I’m bringing back my annual Pride advice post with updated thoughts and practical tips for businesses, nonprofits, and individuals who actually want to show up in a meaningful way. Pride Is Not a Moment Here in Iowa, we’ve felt this in a very real way. The state removed gender identity from the...
5 months ago • 1 min read
I have a bit of a confession. When I can’t sleep, my brain does not wander to relaxing places. It goes straight to strategic plans. Specifically, the ones that say they prioritize advocacy…but actually don't. Because here’s the thing. Many organizations say advocacy is a priority. It shows up in a sentence or two. Maybe it's even in a whole section or pillar of your strategic plan. But when you look closer, it is not operationalized. There is no clear ownership, no defined goals, and no real...
5 months ago • 1 min read
If you’ve ever walked out of a meeting thinking, “Why didn’t we get time with the Senator?” this one is for you. Because I’m going to say something that not everyone loves, but everyone needs to hear: Meeting with staff is not a consolation prize. It’s often the most important meeting you’ll have. Your Reality Check This week’s post comes from a conversation I overheard in DCA airport after a day on Capitol Hill. A group was frustrated. They had traveled all the way to DC and only met with...
6 months ago • 1 min read