The Loop: March 2020

In each issue, you’ll learn how to take advantage of the resources that are included with your organization’s Council membership. So, take a few minutes to stay in The Loop and learn about all the ways Council services can help you do your job better.

Our professional lives may be turned upside down, but there’s a wealth of knowledge and guidance available to public affairs professionals. While you’re working from home, the Council has the virtual learning, information and expertise you count on. Visit our new resource site, Working through COVID-19 Together, where you’ll find:

• New virtual events and webinars developed specifically for public affairs professionals navigating the COVID-19 crisis.
• Upcoming webinars and past webinar recordings (both free to members) across a variety of public affairs topics.
• Access to our experts, ready to answer your questions, and articles and tip sheets they’ve written to help with specific practice area challenges.
• Links to other news and industry resources.

It’s never been more important to stay in touch with your community and have access to information and new ideas. Council Connect — our online, members-only platform — offers a host of case studies, tip sheets and more across public affairs topics. Start sharing at community.pac.org, and check out some of these resources when you log in.

While we’re staying safe and staying put, let’s take a look back at highlights from The Advocacy Conference and the National PAC Conference earlier this year.

In Las Vegas at The Advocacy Conference, Punam Mathur, executive director of the Elaine P. Wynn and Family Foundation, gave an inspiring keynote on choosing your perspective. At the National PAC Conference, we learned to be expert negotiators from Margaret Neale of Stanford Graduate School of Business. Learn more about their insights. Plus, check out our favorite social media posts.

Move the Kaleidoscope

At The Advocacy Conference in Las Vegas, Punam Mathur, executive director of the Elaine P. Wynn and Family Foundation, gave an inspiring keynote saying that “your superpower is to pick a perspective.”

Why is perspective so important? As humans, our default operating system is focused on spotting danger. Because we’re programmed to be on high alert, about 75 percent of our daily thoughts are negative. Mathur challenged the crowd to acknowledge negative patterns of thought and select their own attitude and perspective. According to Mathur, you can define your day and pick what you see in the kaleidoscope of your life.

“No one can make the contribution you can make,” said Mathur. “Find your light. Be you.”

Digital ads and organic social media are key components of a public affairs strategy. But how do these posts affect audiences? A Public Affairs Council/Morning Consult poll finds that social media posts have changed the political opinions of one in five Americans. And among younger generations this number rises. More than one in three Gen Z social media users report changing their minds about an issue after reading a political post on social.

Americans are divided on the propriety of political advertising, with 44% of Americans believing it is acceptable for political groups to advertise on social media, while 39% feel it is not acceptable. When it comes to specific issues, however, these number change. Forty-eight percent (48%) of Americans say education is an acceptable ad topic. Healthcare and the economy were right behind with 46% each.

Liberals tend to post more often about politics on social media. The survey finds 54% of liberals report posting on social media about political issues at least occasionally compared to 40% of conservatives and 39% of moderates.

The poll was conducted in December 2019 among a national sample of 2,200 U.S. adults. It also explores who the public trusts for political information, which policy ad topics are considered most acceptable and more.

This past December the Council held its first ever Holiday Sock and Supplies Drive, raising $550 to support the efforts of Thrive DC, a group that provides a variety of services for the District’s homeless population. Council donations helped purchase much needed cleaning supplies, personal care items and clothing for men and women.

The Council expanded upon its philanthropy efforts at major conferences during the 2020 Advocacy Conference. As part of our pre-conference activities, a group of attendees volunteered for the lunch shift at the Las Vegas Rescue Mission, serving over 300 meals. We also started a partnership with Dress for Success, donating professional clothing and supplies to the Las Vegas chapter of the nationwide charity. One of our attendees, Kristin St. John, went above and beyond by packing an entire suitcase of clothes to donate to Dress for Success.

The Council also collaborated with Dress for Success/Suited for Success Miami on a clothing and accessories drive in March, raising $250 for the organizations and donating ties, belts and other professional accessories for individuals seeking work attire in South Florida.

We look forward to returning to in-person education and networking events soon! In the meantime, here are a few of our favorite moments from the start of 2020 to remind us of good times with our wonderful friends and colleagues!

• Upcoming Webinars
  Free for members
• Working through COVID-19 Together
  Access information, expertise, virtual programming and more.
• Join our Mentor Program!