Welcome to the second edition of the SGR Network Newsletter
2020 continues to be a year for the history books. Since the last SGR Network Newsletter, protests and demands for racism and justice reform have further changed the landscape. We support our members as they stand up to racism and discrimination. Read on to find related articles, events and opportunities.
Questions for the Public Affairs Council? Don’t hesitate to contact me!
The Importance of Aligning Contract Lobbyists with Your Values
State government professionals are navigating another pressing issue in 2020: structural racism reform. In the past few weeks, companies and associations have been releasing statements, donating money and launching initiatives to respond to the nationwide calls for change.
How can state government relations teams ensure they are sensitive to this important issue? Here’s an important and often overlooked way: Make sure any contract lobbyist hires align with your organizational values and culture.
While not a full-time employee, your contract lobbyist is still a reflection of you and will impact how elected officials, peers and the public view your organization. With the demand for accountability and consistency growing, the wrong contract lobbyist can end up a liability. Additionally, working with a lobbyist who is a good cultural fit for your team will ensure a positive, productive relationship.
Read on for some due diligence tips before signing on the dotted line with a contract lobbyist
- Review their online presence
Look to see if the candidate has public social media channels, including Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook or TikTok. Review social media posts for racist or biased language, as well as content that conflicts with your internal values. Better yet, look for positive posts that show they support the same values as you. Don’t forget to check the “likes” section of their Twitter account.
Don’t skip a general Google search as well as a key word search of the lobbyist’s name alongside the names of national political publications (such as The Hill) or local media sources (such as a state or Capitol city news publication). Look for any articles highlighting unethical behavior, comments or other concerns.
Cautionary tale: A Fortune 500 Company launched a public campaign supporting diversity, inclusion and anti-racism. Through disclosures, a watch dog group found that they employed a consultant lobbyist who had posted several racist statements on her social media accounts. The watch dog group publicly accused the Fortune 500 Company of hypocrisy.
- Check reputation with local stakeholders
Ask a local, trusted stakeholder about this contract lobbyist’s reputation. If you don’t know a local stakeholder, ask other members of your industry if they have connections. During the interview process, ask the lobbyist candidate for references.
Review the list of other organizations they currently represent or have represented in the past, identifying if these are organizations with similar values and missions. If you are working with a firm instead of an individual lobbyist, be sure to ask the firm to confirm the reputation and record of any lobbyist they suggest.
Cautionary tale: A State chapter of a national trade association utilized a contract lobbyist who had a reputation around the state capitol for making sexist comments. However, the association hired him without speaking to any local stakeholders or references. Later that legislative session, this lobbyist was publicly accused of sexual harassment by several female legislators. The association spent the rest of the year on damage control instead of pursuing their legislative goals.
- Be clear about your expectations
During the interview process, communicate the internal values most important to your organization. Be clear that you expect a lobbyist representing your policy asks to also represent your values. Clearly share what an ethical and professional code of conduct means to you.
In the contract, consider spelling out the expectation of regular check-ins, which will help keep a positive working relationship and an open flow of communication. Include a clear termination clause that can help you exit the relationship in case any damaging issues arise. (Always use legal consultation before finalizing contracts).
Exemplary tale: A tech start up found their product the target of negative legislation and media coverage in a major state capitol. They decided to hire a state and local lobbyist to help. They reached out to fellow members of a trusted coalition and found a local lobbying firm with a stellar reputation and record. The tech start up created a clear strategy document outlining their goals, values and expectations. The lobbying firm then used the document to identify the right local lobbyist. Due to the clear expectations, regular check-ins and good work of the lobbyist, their image improved in the state and favorable legislation supporting their business goals was passed the next year.
Contract lobbyists are excellent ways to protect your mission and advance your goals. A little extra work finding the right lobbyist who supports your internal values will save you headaches in the long run, as well as make sure your money is being spent in a socially responsible way.
For more insights and discussions around how the movements for racial justice and social responsibility intersect with state government relations, join us for the State and Local Government Relations Conference, September 22-23, 2020. Register here.[/vc_toggle]
Newly Launched Government Relations and Lobbying Certificate
We’ve launched a Public Affairs Council Government Relations and Lobbying Certificate! This program is designed specifically to expand expertise and advance careers of GR professionals and lobbyists working at the federal, state or regulatory level.
Get started on your certificate path! The application is free and can be found here. Upon submitting a completed application, you can receive $100 off of our July 14 workshop, “Proving the Value of State Government Relations Workshop.” Another way to get a jump on your certificate? Attend the 2020 Virtual State and Local Government Relations Conference which fulfills a major credit requirement and offers four credits towards completion.
We look forward to having you as part of our first class of Government Relations and Lobbying Certificate graduates!
Don't Miss These Relevant Events
Proving the Value of State Government Relations Workshop:
| July 14, 2 – 4:15 p.m. |
As budgets are tightened, tracking and communicating the value of your state government relations efforts is more important than ever. This not-to-be missed virtual workshop will feature strategies, measurement tools and case studies to help you show your leadership why the SGR work you are doing matters.
Case Studies in Coordinating State and Federal Lobbying Webinar
| August 19, 2 – 3 p.m. |
Free for members! Silos are easy. Coordination is hard. Through best practices and case studies of success, we will look at ways to help state and federal advocacy teams improve communication and coordination.
2020 Virtual State and Local Government Relations Conference
| September 22 & 23 |
Its official: This year the State and Local Conference is going virtual. Registration is open! Now more affordable than ever, the conference will be taking place over two half days on September 22 and September 23 – plus, you will receive three hours of bonus pre-recorded content to watch at your convenience.
This year’s agenda will cover how racial justice reform, COVID-19, and elections are impacting state government relations – plus other topics such as ballot advocacy, compliance and more. Taking place on a dynamic, interactive platform, the State and Local Conference will allow you to not only hear key strategies and updates from experts, but also network and exchange ideas with peers.
SGR Network members can use the code SLGRSAVE25 at check for $25 off. Check out the agenda and registration details here.
Other Useful Resources
The Future of Lobbying LinkedIn Live
Listen as Johnson & Johnson’s VP Jane Adams discusses how the company is taking on the double pandemics of COVID-19 and racism.
Government Affairs Executives Expect Pandemic to Cause Long-Term Decline in Face-to-Face Lobbying
The Council surveyed 245 senior government relations executives on the impacts of COVID-19. Check out what they had to say about budgets, travel and the future of lobbying.
Female Lobbyists Fight Arizona Boys Club
Check out this article that shows how women lobbyists still face discrimination and unequal treatment in state capitols. Want to talk more about the issue of discrimination or sexual harassment in the state lobbying world? Contact Kelly Memphis at [email protected].
Pitch Us!
We’d like to start featuring guest member writers in future editions of the SGR Network Newsletter. Help us highlight the good work and great ideas of our members. If you have a story idea or have published a thought leadership piece that would be a good fit, send us an email.