COLUMN -
Public Affairs
Building
Association Government Relations
An Invitation To Be Proactive
The saying, “all
politics is local” highlights the importance of
associations raising their political profile with elected
officials at the local level. Ensuring your members are
active and involved in the association’s government
relations agenda can be key to your success as an
organization.
Too often, members of non-profit
organizations visit elected officials only when there is a
problem or when they need a solution. Strong
relationships with elected officials need to be developed,
maintained and nourished even if there is no immediate
concern or issue. In short, it is important to visit
elected officials in good times, not
always in bad. There is no substitute for being
proactive.
For association staff
and grassroots members it is important to stay in contact
with your MP or MPP. Simply updating an elected official
on your activities or offering assistance with issues or
projects can be beneficial. Inviting them to a special
occasion organized by the association or a grassroots
member can be very important for building relationships.
An invitation to an anniversary event, a product launch or
other important recognition celebration is a great way to
reach out and help your elected representative better
understand your association.
If your membership
dynamic allows for it, you may even consider attending
political events including fundraisers, town hall
meetings, announcements or social events such as
barbeques, Christmas parties or levies.
Anything you can do to
develop long-term relationships with the elected official
will go a long way to positively assist in your
association’s overall government relations efforts.
Always remember that
the best advocacy approach involves educating and
sensitizing decision-makers over time. It is strongly
advised that associations start early in order to shape
government policy as it develops. Successful government
relations strategies take a leadership role in working
with the government to frame the key issues and to set the
agenda.
As a result, starting early in your
government relations strategy will save the association
money and time and increase the likelihood of a successful
outcome. Lobbying as an afterthought is less effective,
more costly and rarely yields the desired results.
Associations are most successful in
government relations when they are able to position
themselves as a resource to government decision-makers.
This single action will ensure long-term success in the
government relations arena.
Huw Williams is
the President of Impact Public Affairs an Ottawa based
government relations firm. He
is co-author of a book to be released this fall entitled,
“A Government Relations Guide for Directors of Non-Profit
Organizations” published by the Canadian Society of
Association Executives
www.csae.com.
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