: : Advocacy Consulting and Campaigns

We provide a range of services to assist organizations need to create their grassroots network, or just give it a boost. Following are just some of the services we provide.

Survey of Membership

These surveys help organizations learn as much as possible about their members, their interest in participating in advocacy, their relationships with elected officials, as well as to identify other individuals that may be more appropriate advocates.

Board Consultations / Discussions

For many advocacy organizations, a strong committment from the board and other leadership is essential to success. We have worked with a range of groups on ways to engage and activate their board members.

Strategic Advice and Content for Website

We have worked with numerous organizations on content for their website, as well as the appropriate use of various advocacy webtools, such as e-mail programs, listserves and blogs.

Branding / Marketing of the Grassroots Network

Many organizations develop a name and brand for their grassroots network. We have been pleased to work with a number of groups on the branding of their advocacy activities.

Development of an Introductory Packet / Advocacy Toolkit

Advocates need resources to help them be effective. We develop toolkits that help your members help themselves by providing, among other things, details on the overall goals of your advocacy program, copies of one-pagers, articles on effective advocacy, sample letters to elected officials and sample one-pagers for members to personalize for their own communities. This material is often provided as a CD-Rom and on the organization's website.

Advocacy Newsletter

We often provide content for the newsletters of our clients, or draft the entire newsletter for them. Email newsletters should usually include policy updates, calls to action, ideas for advocacy efforts back home, as well as an advocacy success story from the field. We work with our clients to develop content and create an "editorial calendar" for the newsletter.

Individual Technical Assistance

Some organizations want to provide more customized assistance for their members, and we're happy to help! Work in this area could include:

• Identifying locations where positive grassroots relationships will greatly enhance the organization's position in key upcoming debates, as well as areas where members have outstanding opportunities to implement specific projects, but need assistance on how to do so.
• Conducting background research, including assessing existing relationships, existing grassroots coalitions and support, and relevant lawmakers' records.
• Assessing current opportunities to interact with the lawmakers, such as upcoming events (townhalls, etc.), coalition-building, and grassroots activation.
• Analyzing opportunities to participate in the federal and state process, including field hearings, hearings in Washington, DC, floor statements, Caucus meetings, etc. to assist policymakers in obtaining a better understanding of the issues at the local level
• Developing a plan for action, including identifying specific actions for achieving the organizations' legislative goals, creating and enhancing campaign materials, disseminating materials, and identifying other specific tactical steps such as coalition building, press strategies and the like
• Training and motivating grassroots participants
• Assisting local communities with their follow-up and implementation efforts