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Building Your Government Affairs Program

Strategies for Policy, Politics and Public Advocacy

There are three basic components to a successful government affairs program – Policy, Politics and Public Advocacy. Our services center on the development of these components and show how to utilize the tools and resources available to achieve success. Some examples:

Policy

In order to craft or improve public policy, it is critical to understand the political/policy environment, and provide solutions to the challenges faced.

• Identify significant/topical issues
• Develop a pro-active approach to policy-making (offer solutions to challenges, as well as reacting to proposals made by others that negatively affect your business)
• Provide policy-makers with Best Practices and Model Policies
• Utilize research and policy guides

Politics

Who is elected determines the outcome of good policy. Organizations must have the ability to implement plans and utilize resources to impact elections.

• Identify friendly (and unfriendly) elected officials
• Determine priority elections
• Identify, recruit and endorse candidates
• Contribute funds to targeted races
• Provide Independent Expenditures promoting endorsed candidates
• PAC fundraising outreach (marketing and infrastructure)

Public Advocacy

Utilize marketing and public relations tools so the public and policy-makers understand how to best improve policies.

• Identify target audiences (policy-makers, media, members, public)
• Surveys to understand what the public thinks and how to reach them
• Message development that resonates with the target audience
• Marketing and media strategies, issue advocacy campaigns and outreach activities to promote adoption of policies
• Mobilize the public to take action supporting your position