As a nonprofit advocacy expert, I empower organizations to leverage their voices, mobilize their communities, and win on the policies that shape their mission.
If You’re Sending a Bill Update…What’s the Point?
|
Last week, I had one of those exchanges that makes me want to reach through the screen and gently shake someone. A seasoned lobbyist sent an advocacy update that managed to describe a bill without ever telling advocates whether it was good, bad, or why it mattered. When I offered some unsolicited advice (which was greatly appreciated lol), the response referenced “staying nonpartisan.” Here’s the thing. Explaining impact is not partisanship. Educating your base about what legislation means for the people you serve is not political spin. It is responsible leadership. It is your moral obligation. Too many organizations confuse neutrality with vagueness. They send updates full of bill numbers and process details, but no clarity. And then they wonder why their advocates feel disengaged. If your supporters finish reading your email and still do not know:
…that is not nonpartisan. That is unclear. Unclear advocates tune out. And unclear organizations do not build power. I got a bit snarky:In my latest Substack, I explore why so many nonprofits default to “neutral” language and how that instinct, while well-intentioned, can slowly (and sometimes quickly) dilute your clarity and engagement. If advocacy is part of your mission, your communications need to make your analysis and the impact clear. PRO TIP: A quick clarity check for your next updateAfter you draft your next advocacy update, before you hit send, ask:
If the answer to any of those is no, go revise it before you hit send. Advocacy is not about picking sides. It is about naming impact. Now go make some good trouble, P.S. If advocacy is a core part of your mission, but it feels reactive, scattered, or overly cautious, that is usually a structure issue, not a motivation issue. If you want an advocacy program you can explain to your board and execute with confidence, let's talk about whether you are ready for an Advocacy Roadmap. |
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.
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...
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...
I recently talked with a nonprofit leader who told me something I hear all the time. “We’re doing a lot of advocacy… I just don’t know if any of it is working.” They had action alerts going out. They had a lobby day planned. Their team was posting on social about policy issues. They even had a lobbyist! On paper, it looked like an advocacy program. But when I asked a simple question, “What is the strategy tying all of this together?” she got quiet. This is the pattern I see over and over...