As a nonprofit advocacy expert, I empower organizations to leverage their voices, mobilize their communities, and win on the policies that shape their mission.
Can't Get an August Recess Meeting? Don't Panic.
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 much earlier than most organizations realize, and how to make sure you're ready next year. How to maximize August recess without a meeting:Even if a formal meeting isn't possible this year, you can still use August to lay the groundwork for future relationships. Follow your target Senators and members of CongressSubscribe to their newsletter and follow their official social media accounts. You'll often learn about public appearances, district visits, county fairs, town halls, ribbon cuttings, and other events happening throughout the month. Show up where they arePublic events can be a great opportunity to introduce yourself, thank them for their service, and become a familiar face. Don't expect to have a detailed policy discussion in the middle of a busy fairground, but a brief conversation today can make a future meeting feel much more natural. Save the policy conversation for the fallAugust is one of the busiest times of the year for congressional state and district offices. Staff are managing dozens of events, meetings, and travel logistics every week. Plan to reconnect with local staff after Congress returns to Washington, when there's more time for meaningful conversations. Start planning for next year's recess nowAs detailed in my blog, the organizations that consistently secure August meetings aren't making requests in July. They're thinking months ahead, identifying who they want to meet with, and coordinating invitations well before calendars fill up. Now go make some good trouble, P.S. If you're realizing your year-round advocacy plan could be improved, you're in good company. If you'd like help building that strategy, let's talk. FREE TRAINING: How to Talk to Lawmakers Outside the CapitolI'm offering another free advocacy training later this summer. Lucky you! When you run into that lawmaker at the fair, grocery store, or legislative breakfast, what do you do? Those conversations happen more often than you think, and they can be some of the most important advocacy moments you'll have. We'll talk about how to start the conversation, what to say, what not to say, and how to build a relationship that lasts beyond a single interaction. Tuesday, August 18, 2:00 pm (CT) |
Snyder Strategies, LLC
As a nonprofit advocacy expert, I empower organizations to leverage their voices, mobilize their communities, and win on the policies that shape their mission.
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...
Free Webinar - Advocacy in the Wild: How to Talk to Lawmakers Outside the Capitol Picture this: You're picking out tomatoes at the grocery store when you look up...and your state senator is standing right next to you. Now what? If your first instinct is to panic, you're in good company. This is one of the most common questions I hear from advocates, which is why I'm hosting a free webinar all about navigating those unexpected moments with confidence. Most advocacy trainings teach you how to...
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...