PIN Points – April 2018

Greetings from PIN Chair Greg Knopp

Noted fashion icon Iris Apfel said, “If you don’t learn constantly, you don’t grow, and you will wither. Too many people wither on the vine. Sure, it gets a little harder as you get older, but new experiences and new challenges keep it fresh.”  As a not too recent member of “Team Old,” I can vouch for the “it gets harder as you get older” part. But I also agree it becomes even more important as you age. Keeping it fresh is the challenge, and the challenge is what makes it — and life — interesting.

This issue of the PIN newsletter focuses on making the old fresh again: a tip sheet on updating your PAC bylaws, ideas to make your congressional fly-in more successful, a spotlight on up and coming leaders in the community, and recognition for recent graduates of the Council’s certificate programs.

But back to change and new ideas. Thomas W. Higginson, a minister, abolitionist, Civil War veteran, and one of the strongest male advocates for women’s rights of his time, reveled in looking at problems from new perspectives. “Originality,” he wrote, “is simply a pair of fresh eyes.”

Now is the perfect time to step back from your program, your job and your life and take another look with fresh eyes from a different angle – or two or three. Maybe that means seeking the opinions of a more diverse (or previously under-represented) universe. Perhaps it involves taking a hard look from within.

The key is action, and, to quote Higginson, originality. If you need any further suggestions on different perspectives for spring and change, I humbly submit two somewhat divergent takes on the same topic. First, Russian novelist LeoTolstoy who noted, “Spring is the time of plans and projects.” Compare that with the renowned American philosopher Robin Williams who simply observed, “Spring is nature’s way of saying, ‘Let’s party!’”

Why not both?[/vc_toggle][vc_separator css=”.vc_custom_1524752571394{margin-bottom: -50px !important;}”]

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First Public Affairs Management Certificate Graduates Recognized

Member Column: Planning a Fly-In during a Congressional Recess

Don’t panic! You have options and can have a great event no matter what you decide.

Option 1: Reschedule your Event

If your budget, calendar, board schedules and event size can swing it, you may be able to change your fly-in dates. If so, act quickly, since you probably aren’t the only group scrambling to make changes. Reach out to the hotel immediately to discuss your options so you can present them to internal decision-makers as soon as possible. Notify your attendees before the end of the year and it should give them plenty of time to save the date before making travel arrangements.

Option 2: Keep the Dates

If changing the date isn’t an option, then leave it as is! You’ll want to adjust expectations and the rhetoric surrounding the event, but this gives you a great opportunity to focus on things beyond how many Member-level meetings you can secure.

• Staff meetings really are great. As a government relations professional, you know that rapport with the staff is a valuable step in building a meaningful relationship with a Member of Congress. Not to mention, 96 sitting Members of Congress used to be congressional staffers!
• Focus on registering people ahead of time and make it your goal to give them an outstanding experience. Without the pressures of Member-level meetings, you can spend extra time putting special touches on the event.
• Make “best practice” changes that you don’t have time for or “can’t risk” during a normal fly-in. Change the way your groups work – try having your ambassadors or strong advocates lead groups, utilize board level relationships to show your new attendees what it’s like – the possibilities are endless! If you have new ideas, this is the year to try them.
• Add other events throughout the day that will draw in attendees. Offer Advocacy 101 training, bigger events with speakers throughout the day in case people have fewer meetings, political updates and policy briefings. Advertise these well in advance of your event to compel people to attend.

If you do choose to keep your dates, here are some suggestions on how to handle expectations both internally and externally:

• Don’t hide it. Adjust your advertising and make sure people are aware they will not have Member-level meetings, and emphasize the opportunities they will still have. Hopefully transparency at the beginning will prevent late cancellations once they receive their schedules.
• Define success. What stats will knock this fly-in out of the park? If it’s typically the number of Member-level meetings or overall attendees, consider other metrics that will highlight your accomplishments after the event. How many meetings did you get with staff from your key committees? Did someone meet with all of your congressional Champion offices? Did attendees have more meetings than in the past because you tried a new approach? Did you have more first-timers than historically and were they more confident than ever as they headed to the Hill thanks to extra training opportunities you provided? Set expectations with your boss and board so everyone is as happy as you are once the event is over.
• Individual outreach. With fewer pressure points than normal, spend your extra time doing one-on-one outreach to get people registered and excited. Send out tips to first time attendees, send out rally e-mails to veteran attendees, and reach out to your member companies with a little extra TLC. Attendees will appreciate the attention.
• Follow-up. With Congress on recess, you have a built-in follow-up mechanism that can help meet your summer advocacy goals. As part of the meeting “asks,” request an in-district meeting this summer with the Member. This gives you follow-up for both the congressional office and your attendees, so you can keep the conversation going long after your members leave Washington.

In summary, planning a fly-in during a congressional recess requires some finesse and brainstorming up front, but can offer you a great opportunity to try new things and give attendees an enhanced experience. Communicate with everyone along the way and what started out as a potential disaster could be your best fly-in yet.[/vc_toggle][vc_separator css=”.vc_custom_1524752140463{margin-bottom: -50px !important;}”]

Community Spotlight: Kelsey Sturman

I started at Microsoft shortly after I graduated from Duke University where I studied Public Policy. I had a few internships in Washington, D.C. in both the public and private sectors and I developed an interest in working in a job where technology, business and government came together. I knew I wanted to move to D.C. after I graduated and I was offered a position at Microsoft as a project coordinator on the U.S. Government Affairs team. It was a great opportunity because I gained exposure on a wide variety of policy issues – from immigration and workforce issues to computer science education, international trade and a host of others. I was in that role for about three years when a position on the PAC team became available. I was personally ready to take that next step within Microsoft and expand into some new responsibilities, so I spoke with the new Director, Kelly Eaton, and expressed my interest. She encouraged me to apply and here I am!

Tell us about yourself? (i.e. Where are you from, where did you go to school, hobbies, fun facts, etc.)

I grew up in Tampa, Florida and went to Duke University. I majored in Public Policy with minors in Spanish and Global Health. I moved straight to D.C. after college, so I have been on the East Coast my entire life. I just relocated to Seattle for the PAC position and I am looking forward to getting into some new hobbies here. I’m a big runner and have completed a few half marathons. I’m training for a full marathon soon. I also love the outdoors, so obviously I went straight to REI when I landed in Seattle to get my mandatory hiking boots and Patagonia gear – staples for any true resident of the Pacific Northwest.

Recognizing you are still settling into your new role, what do you enjoy about working in PAC and political affairs compared to your prior experience?

Every day is something new in this industry. I have really enjoyed the diversity of thought and opinions I see from our PAC members, the speakers we bring in and other industry leaders. I’m learning something new from everyone I interact with and I think that’s really important in any job.  One of the first things I did was attend the PAC conference in Miami, Florida. It was great exposure to all of the industries who have PACs and their different ideas.

What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?

When I was trying to decide whether to take this new job with Microsoft, and make the leap to move across the country, I was talking to one of my mentors and he told me, “Think about what you can learn from this. And think about what you are learning now. If you aren’t continuing to learn in your current role, then it’s time to move on.”

He was absolutely right. I loved my job but I was ready to learn something new. That’s advice that will guide me throughout the rest of my career.

What advice do you have for newcomers to the public affairs field or other young professionals?

Meet as many people as you can and always say “yes” to new opportunities. Whether it’s just grabbing coffee with someone or attending an event or fundraiser where you don’t know anyone. Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. That’s how you grow both personally and professionally.

Favorite spot for a coffee meeting?

I’m still exploring the coffee scene in Seattle, but my favorite spot right now is the Starbucks Reserve. The Reserve is where they test out new coffee roasts and beverages and you can get coffee in any form you could want – including ice cream or alcoholic beverages. They also have espresso flights if you’re feeling particularly wild.

How do you unwind after work?

Either I go for a run, or I sit on my couch and watch Netflix. Seattle has great Netflix-watching weather.[/vc_toggle][vc_separator css=”.vc_custom_1524751985581{margin-bottom: -20px !important;}”]