Associations rely on public affairs communications and
follow-through to influence government decisions and maintain their membership.
For example, the Alexandria, Va.-based non-profit Independent Electrical Contractors, Inc. will keep independent electrical contractors in New Jersey apprised of the status of a bill as it is debated in the U.S. Senate. The contractors signed a letter pushing for legislative support of a bill against salting.
The bill, the Fairness for Small Business and Employees Act of 1998, addresses pro-union activities to organize independent shops by filing frivolous charges with the National Labor Relations Act. Through IEC's grassroots efforts, it was able to sway votes in favor of the bill from previously opposed and undecided members of the New Jersey House.
Key to tackling the salting issue was working with contractors on a very personal level, says Anthony R. Bedell, director of government relations at IEC. IEC engaged longtime contractors that others could relate to, like Joe Spadola, president of Spadola Electric, a 5-person business that's existed in Bergen County, N.J., since Spadola's father founded it in 1923.
Spadola, who is legislative chairperson for the New Jersey IEC chapter and Mark Husik, executive director, used community outreach with fellow independent contractors to garner their support for the bill in the House, where it passed.
"You hear about these organizations that run ads and use high-priced lobbyists, but any legislation that's passed comes down to one thing - whether there was good communication or a lack thereof," says Bedell. (IEC, 703/549-7351; Joe Spadola, 201/943-4306; Mark Husik, 800/227-6467)