Become a member of the Political Involvement Network. Did we mention that it’s part of your membership dues, so it’s free to join?
The Network
The Political Involvement Network (PIN) is a forum for community building, but it offers much more than that. This members-only service will provide dynamic networking and idea-sharing opportunities where you can hear the latest tools and tactics to make your program (and YOU) shine in today’s political environment.
The Benefit
Join the PIN, and receive:
- Free educational programming targeted to your PAC, grassroots and political advocacy needs
- Targeted communications, including a bimonthly newsletter on industry trends
- Quarterly PIN member meetings that include an educational component on a hot topic
- Social networking and opportunities to connect with other professionals
- Brown bag lunches and hot topic roundtables, free to PIN members only
- Meetings and teleconferences focused on topics of your choosing
- Resource sharing forums
- Access to political involvement experts
- Channels for providing feedback on current and future Council service
PIN Newsletter Archive
Access previous issues of PIN Points (Available only to Council members)
Upcoming PIN Events
Stay tuned!
Casey Mensinger
Program Coordinator
202-787-5961 | e-mail
Past PIN Events
- May 23, 2017 – Understanding the Political Landscape with Nathan L. Gonzales
- Nathan Gonzales addressed a full room and a virtual audience of over 60 on the current political landscape and what the 2018 election cycle holds for the PAC community
- May 4, 2017 – PIN Cinco de Mayo Happy Hour
- We had a great showing of over 150 political involvement and public affairs professionals join us on the rooftop of Sauf Haus in Washington D.C.
- Click here to see a photo from the event!
- January 10, 2017 – PIN Welcome Back from the Holidays Happy Hour
- To kick off the new year, nearly 100 political involvement professionals gathered to join us at Blackfinn Ameripub in Washington D.C.
- October 27, 2016 – PIN Halloween Happy Hour
- 100+ political involvement and public affairs professionals joined us for this networking opportunity at Blackfinn Ameripub in Washington D.C.
- August 24, 2016 – Leveraging LinkedIn for Advocacy and Thought Leadership
- Jamie Carracher, Senior Director, Digital Engagement, America’s Health Insurance Plans, Tony Fontana, Manager, Communications, National Retail Federation and Dan Horowitz, Director, Advocacy and Campaigns, LinkedIn discussed what successful engagement looks like on LinkedIn and best ways to use the platform’s functionality to advance advocacy campaigns and meet goals.
- May 24, 2016 – Obtaining Earned Media for Your Public Policy Agenda
- Izzy Santa, Director, Policy Communications at Consumer Technology Association, and Neil Giacobbi, Associate Vice President for Public Affairs at AT&T, shared insights on growing your organization’s earned media coverage.
- November 4, 2015 – A Look at the 2016 Elections: Who’s In, Who’s Out and What’s at Stake
- Political Analyst Jim Ellis of Ellis Insight provided a look into the 2016 elections one year out.
- View the recording here.
- October 5, 2015 – What Americans Think About Business and Politics
- Doug Pinkham, Council President shared insights into the 2015 Public Affairs Pulse Survey, including public expectations of government regulation and business involvement in social issues.
- Click here to access a recording of this event.
- September 25, 2014 – How Americans’ Expectations of Business Impact Your Public Affairs Efforts
- Council President Doug Pinkham reviews the findings of the 2014 Public Affairs Pulse Survey and how they relate to companies’ lobbying and communications strategies.
- Click here to access a recording of this event.
- September 10, 2014 – Working Smarter: How Data Can Impact Your Political Programs
- Aristotle International’s Amy Meli and Andrew Tavani discuss how organizations can use data to streamline and improve their political program efforts.
- Click here to access a recording of this event.
- May 28, 2014 – Six Months Out: A Look at the Fall Elections
- Political forecaster Jim Ellis discusses how the 2014 fall elections are shaping up.
- Click here to access a recording of this program.
- September 17, 2013 – The PULSE of the American Electorate: What Americans Think About Business and Government
- Council President Doug Pinkham discusses the 2013 Public Affairs Pulse Survey.
- Click here to access a recording of the program.
- December 10, 2012 – Taking the PULSE of the American Electorate: How Public Opinion Affects Public Affairs Strategy
- Public Affairs Council President Doug Pinkham discussed the 2012 Public Affairs Pulse Survey, which examines American attitudes toward business. He covered favorability ratings for various industries, views about regulation and why the public dislikes lobbying in general yet supports specific types of lobbying.
- November 27, 2012 – PIN Holiday Happy Hour
- 120+ political involvement professionals gathered for this networking opportunity at Sidecar at P.J. Clarke’s in Washington, D.C.
- August 21, 2012 – 2012 Convention Swap Happy Hour
- Before leaving for Charlotte and Tampa, 30+ political involvement professionals gathered for an informal networking happy hour and credencial swap at P.J. Clarke’s, Sidecar in Washington, D.C.
- May 3, 2012 – Cinco de Mayo Networking Happy Hour
- 150+ political involvement professionals gathered for our second annual networking opportunity at Lima Restaurant and Lounge in Washington, D.C.
Click here to view photos from the event on Facebook.
- 150+ political involvement professionals gathered for our second annual networking opportunity at Lima Restaurant and Lounge in Washington, D.C.
- April 26, 2012 – How to Best Engage Your CEO in Political Initiatives
- Guests:
Steve Krikava, director, government relations, Land O’ Lakes
Patrick McLain, vice president, federal government affairs and policy, Sanofi US
Marc Scarduffa, vice president, government relations & public affairs, Pfizer - Topic: CEOs play a crucial role in supporting public affairs activities, and they are especially in demand in Washington. Yet their time is scarce. Our breakfast discussion addressed how and when Council members call on their top executive and how the CEO’s role has evolved in recent years.
- Guests:
- January 10, 2012 – Different Paths to Political Involvement Leadership
- Guests:
Mike Dunn, CEO, Dunn Associates
Paul Kelly, vice president, federal government affairs, National Association of Chain Drug Stores
Diane Lilly, executive vice president, government relations, Wells Fargo & Co and Public Affairs Council Chairman - Topic: We’ve all experienced twists and turns in our careers that provide valuable experience and direction. Where have your professional experiences taken you? Would you ever have imagined you’d be on the road you’re on today? Council board members shared stories of how they achieved success by recognizing nontraditional opportunities and getting past the bumps and roadblocks along the way.
- Guests:
- December 5, 2011 – A Guide to Mentoring
- Guests:
Jeff Ashe, senior vice president, PAC & grassroots development, Artistotle International
Eric Brewer, senior director, public affairs & government relations, Wal-Mart Stores Inc. - Topic: Think of someone who has changed the course of your career. How did that person’s mentoring affect you? Does someone think of you when asked this question? Council board members shared their tips for seeking and being a valuable mentor.
- Guests:
- November 15, 2011 – Career Engagement
- Guests:
Kevin Keane, senior vice president, public affairs, American Beverage Association
Greg Knopp, executive director, political affairs, American Council of Engineering Companies
Dan Tearno, senior vice president & corporate relations officer, Heineken U.S.A - Topic: As a political involvement professional, you continuously help others get engaged. But what about you? What steps can you take to feel empowered and more a part of your organization’s success?
- Guests:
- June 30, 2011 – Become a Master Networker
- Guest: Jim Wylde is an associate at Contacts Count, a nationwide professional and business networking firm.
- Topic: How can you maximize your networking time, be remembered and develop valuable contacts – online and face-to-face?
- May 5, 2011 – Cinco de Mayo Networking Happy Hour
- 100+ political involvement professionals gathered for an informal networking opportunity at Lima Restaurant and Lounge in Washington, D.C.
Click here to view photos from the event on Facebook.
- 100+ political involvement professionals gathered for an informal networking opportunity at Lima Restaurant and Lounge in Washington, D.C.
- April 12, 2011 – Will Facebook Change Constituent Communications?
- Guests:
Katie Harbath, associate manager for policy, Facebook
Matt Lira, digital communications director, Representative Eric Cantor, House Majority Leader - Topic: What lies ahead for Facebook as it works with members to modernize constituent communications? How will Congress harness new tools to keep pace with an increasing number of these communications?
Click here to access our resource: “Will Facebook Change Constituent Communications?”
- Guests:
- January 19, 2011 – What Does It Mean To Be a Leader?
- Guest: Anthony A. Tansimore, executive vice president, DHR International
- Topic: Examining what businesses want in their leaders and how you can use “soft” skills to advance your political programs and your career.
Click here to access a summary of the leadership qualities and skills discussed during the meeting.
- June 30, 2010 – When Political Involvement Questions Have No Answers
- Guest: Eric Brown, founder and editor, PoliticalActivityLaw.com and counsel, Federal Election Commission
- Topic: Today’s hot topic questions like the DISCLOSE Act, social media regulation and PACs and social media and how to handle the fact that these issues don’t have many answers yet.
- March 29, 2010 – A Journalist’s Perspective on Business in Politics
- Guest: Bara Vaida, National Journal
- Topic: A journalist’s perspective on the role of business in politics and lead a discussion on the evolution of today’s media.
- September 3, 2009 – What’s at Stake for You in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission?
- Guest: Michael Toner, former FEC Chairman and partner Bryan Cave, LLP
- Topic: At stake in Citizens United v. FEC are free-speech issues specifically related to corporate spending in elections.
- May 21, 2009 – The Grassroots Profession and Congress: A Dialog with the Congressional Management Foundation
- Guests:
Beverly Bell, Executive Director, Congressional Management Foundation
Tim Hysom, Director of Communications and Technology Services, Congressional Management Foundation
- Guests:
- April 15, 2009 – Political Involvement at an Ethical and Reputational Crossroads
- Guest: Kirk O. Hanson, Executive Director, Markkula Center for Applied Ethics, Santa Clara University
- Topic: Evaluating and responding to ethical and reputational issues in advocacy and business.