Grassroots lobbying involves networks of individuals with a shared interest who outreach to their legislators in support of or to defeat a particular measure.  No association lobbyist in good conscience can claim that any legislative success was based solely on their work.  I can go to the Hill and talk about the technical aspects of the bill (i.e. how much the bill will cost the government, how many people would be affected, who supports it…).  However, my grassroots lobbyists give the issue a voice and a face.

I’m currently working with one of my committees on grassroots visits to discuss the Minority Fellowship Program (MFP).  MFP is the only federal program that provides grants to support the training of ethnic minority mental health professionals.  I’m neither a psychologist nor MFP Fellow.  When I go on my lobbying visits, I talk about how cuts to the program would decrease the number of minority psychologists in the field.  When my committee members go on their visits, they talk about how the fellowship allowed them to provide services to underserved communities where English is the second language or conduct research on minorities and HIV/AIDS.

While grassroots advocacy has been around for a while, I do agree that the use of social media in this area is fairly new and sorely needed. According the Congressional Management Foundation, Hill offices are being overrun by constituent mail including email grassroots alerts.  As a result, Members of Congress and their staff are increasing turning to Facebook and Twitter to gauge interest in legislative issues.  The recent debate over SOPA and PIPA serves as a great example of using social media at the grassroots level.  It should provide lessons for association lobbyists trying to break through the glut of messages going to the Hill.

Association Advocacy Chick: What led each of you to apply for the Diversity Executive Leadership Program?

Martha Ramirez: The DELP program is one of a kind in the association world or any other industry for that matter. I wanted to be part of a community that would allow me to grow and develop with peers who were like me, who understood our unique challenges. As a female Latina, I don’t see a lot of people like me and with DELP, I believe I am receiving exposure but also want to be a role model for others. We learn from each other and from the DELPers that came before us.

Donte Shannon: Before DELP, I had not met many non-profit executives who looked like me. I expressed this concern, along with an uncertainty of whether I belonged in non-profit management, with my co-worker Valerie Clark. She informed me about the DELP program and elaborated on the experiences and opportunities that she has taken advantage of   being a DELP Scholar. After hearing what she had to say, and doing some research online about ASAE, I thought that DELP would be just the thing I needed in order to keep my career momentum steady.

AAC: Donte, what qualities must one possess to be a DELP Scholar?

DS: Common qualities that I have noticed among DELP Scholars are:

• Relentless ambition
• A sense of purpose and direction
• A hunger for personal growth and career development
• Independent thinker
• An element of fun & adventure

AAC: Martha, as a member of the class of 2011-2013, what are the expectations for you and your classmates over the next year and a half?

MR: The program is really up to each person to make it what they want. For me, it introduced me to a whole new community of peers and leaders. We are given a variety of networking and coaching opportunities and invited to be part of the broader association community. It’s really up to us to invest the time and the effort to leverage those opportunities and make something happen for ourselves and for other diverse colleagues. For some, that may be the avenue to a new opportunity and for others it may be just learning how to work better with what you have. In any case, we grow and learn and that’s a great thing.

AAC: Donte, there’s been a lot of discussion about visibility in the association community. What role does DELP play in increasing the visibility of association professionals from underrepresented backgrounds?

DS: In my opinion, the most significant role DELP has in increasing visibility is through networking opportunities. DELP continues to provide a more enriched networking opportunity for me than any other means of networking in the association world. I don’t believe that I would have been able to shake hands with half of the association executives that I have met in the past six months, had I not been a DELP Scholar.

AAC: Martha, six months into the program, what have you gained from your experience?

MR: A new family and community. The program is over 10 years old and the alumni are just as engaged and involved as the current class. It’s refreshing to see this level of participation.

AAC: What’s the one thing you both wished you knew about DELP that you’ve learned since becoming a scholar?

MR: I wish I knew what a powerful, connected and engaged group I was joining so that I could have started networking with them SOONER! I feel so honored to be part of this program. Now that I’ve come to know some of these people, I am constantly impressed and amazed at what they have to offer and what I can learn from them. As I get more into it, I also want to know more about what I can do for others and how I can give back, whether they are in DELP or not. We need to support and encourage one another.

DS: I wish I had known more about the legacy of leadership that past DELP Scholars have created. While I’m honored to be a part of this great group of professionals, it’s intimidating to know that I too, have been selected as a DELP Scholar in order to continue this legacy.

Applications for the DELP class of 2012-2014 are now being accepted.  All applications and supporting materials are due to ASAE no later than Friday March 16 at 5:00 pm Eastern.  To learn more about DELP or to apply, please click here.

So what should I talk about during this first week of the new year? Well, the amazing Maddie Grant issued a challenge to blog about the topic How are you going to change the world in 2012?  A large task indeed.  I mean I’m a small spoke in a very large wheel.  What can I possibly do to change the world?  After giving it some thought, I came up with two rather simple goals.

1. Increase the number of voices that are rarely heard in the association blogosphere. In the 17+ months this blog has been in existence, I’ve learned just how rare it is to see someone who looked like me or do what I do as a regular blogger in the association community.  I want to change that.  If I can influence one new voice in this area, I’ve accomplished my goal.

2. Kick assumptions and stereotypes in the ass.  From Presidential candidates, to hip-hop artists, to the media, I have been pegged as angry, obese, uneducated, over sexed, lonely, and ugly.  In 2012, I’m going to shock, surprise, and outrage those who uphold these stereotypes of black women.  I’m going to challenge what others think I should be reading or listening to or even who I should date.  I’m going to make it downright impossible to place me in a specific box.

Obviously, these goals may not be as simple as I made them out to be.  However, I love a good challenge.

Last week was not exactly a stellar week for me.  I moderated a webinar where the first 10 minutes were marred by a glitch in the software.  The meeting I hosted was delayed 15 minutes as we scrambled to connect a participant via conference call.  On Saturday, I  thought my car had been stolen at the mall only to have security locate it using their cameras. I bought the wrong yogurt. I lost one of my favorite hats. I used to beat myself up relentlessly over things like this.  Now, I take a deep breath and push forward.

Rejection can never be the final answer

I submitted a proposal for ASAE11 only to have it rejected. It was my first experience doing an RFP for any ASAE conference and I swore to never do it again.  Except I did.  I submitted a proposal for the healthcare associations conference and it was accepted.  I submitted a proposal for Ignite at annual and it was accepted.  I just submitted proposals for ASAE12.  Even if neither of them are accepted, I now know it’s foolish to give up so easily.

I am surrounded by greatness 

When I think of the people who I regularly interact with, I can’t help but to feel overwhelmed by how good they are.  Whether it’s the association community or my APA colleagues, I’m connected to passionate, kind, hardworking, thoughtful people.

I still don’t give myself enough credit

I freely admit that it’s hard for me to take a compliment. As someone who has heard all sorts of things from “you’re ugly” to “you’ll never find a better job”, getting the opposite feedback is a little hard to take.  I had my performance review earlier this month and still can’t believe the things that were being said about me.  I know I’m a good worker so why is it hard for me to believe it when someone else says it?  Never fear, this is something I’m actively working on.

It’s time for DELP to step up

Whether you’re a current Scholar or alumni, it’s time we emerge from the shadows of the association community.  We didn’t make this journey into DELP to hide away from giving back.  We are capable, we are powerful and dammit we belong here.

I can make time for the things that are important to me

This year, I’ve made a serious effort towards a healthier lifestyle.  I exercise 60 minutes per day 6 days a week.  How do I do it?  I break it down between morning and evening workouts.  I’ve blocked out time on my calendar to attend regular meditation classes.  Whenever possible, I’ve pushed back meetings so I can participate in Tuesday’s Association Chat on Twitter.  If I want something bad enough, I will move heaven and earth to do it and still get a good night’s rest.

I do have enough content for a blog

When I first started my blog, my biggest fear was not having enough to say.  However, that fear was never realized.  Right now I have a running list of 30 topics to choose from if I ever get stuck. Many inspired by daily interactions, others by some of my fellow bloggers.  Either way, I think I should have enough to talk about in 2012.  Doesn’t seem to be much going on next year anyway .

As we wind down to the Holidays, I’m going to take some time to reflect, sleep, write, dream and get a facial. To those who came across Association Advocacy Chick in 2011 either by choice or circumstance, thank you for your support.  Without you, this blog would not exist.  Best wishes for a fantastic 2012.  You deserve it.

Stef

When we’re thinking about speakers for association conferences, are we following the same model?  We all want someone engaging, thoughtful and intelligent as speakers.  If they also have name recognition in the community, well that’s icing on the cake.  However, what about those who are just as good, if not better, but not as well-known?  Being invisible can be a harsh reality for someone looking for their opportunity to shine.  What are we doing to make sure the Boise States of the association community get their moment in the spotlight?

During the discussion, someone commented on the use of the words lobbying and advocacy in the news.  Specifically, they noticed that when the story carried a negative tone, lobbying and lobbyists are used.  When the story is more upbeat, advocacy and advocates are used.  Don’t believe me?  Watch the recent 60 Minutes interview with Jack Abramoff.  Lobbyists are referred to as crooked and arrogant.  Abramoff even used the word moral as if the majority of lobbyists are corrupt.  The word advocate?  Yup, never mentioned.

However, don’t be fooled: they mean the same thing. Government Relations, Advocacy, Lobbying.  All three describe the work that I do for my association.  However, the word lobbying has been twisted into something short of an epithet.  We have presidential candidates who insist they’re not lobbyists but acting as concerned citizens (Hi Newt!).  I have colleagues who have lobbied for years, but insist that they be called consultants.  We’re at the point where we encourage our association members to go to Capitol Hill as advocates not lobbyists because advocacy is good and lobbying is bad.

This madness has got to stop.  Lobbying is not a bad word.  It’s protected by the Constitution. It has helped bring about positive change.  There’s way more good in lobbying than bad. It’s time we take our word back from those who misuse it.

I’m thankful for being single when I could be trapped in a loveless relationship.  I know that very soon, I will be with that one great guy.

I’m thankful for my health and wellbeing.  There’s room for improvement, but I’m happy that I’m on my way to finding my physical and mental health sweet spot.

I’m thankful for having a career that I love as a lobbyist.  I’ve had more good employers than bad.  I’ve had more good bosses than bad.  I have a job I enjoy that pays me a livable wage that allows me to bless others.  Not too many can say that even in a good economy.

I’m thankful for my friends.  Those I grew up with.  Those I met only a few months ago. Whether we met through mutual friends or work, you all mean the world to me.  I’m especially thankful for Reed Franklin and Hoey Best, two friends who are no longer here in body, but will always be here in spirit.

I’m thankful for the association community.  Despite the challenges we face, we are committed to helping one another learn, grow, and succeed.  If it wasn’t for you, this blog wouldn’t exist.

Finally, I’m thankful for you.  Those who read this blog.  Those who tweet or retweet the posts.  Those who contribute as guest bloggers or commentators.  Those who found this blog by accident.

Happy Thanksgiving and best wishes for the happiest, healthiest holiday season imaginable.

The following evening marked an important milestone for this music fan: my first Foo Fighters concert. I’m not a fan of alternative rock, but I love this group. The music is just so good. When I saw them on SNL, I swore that their concert will be my next big rock show after seeing U2 in Baltimore over the summer. Little did I know that Foo would shortly thereafter schedule a stop at the Verizon Center. Since most of my friends do not share my schizophrenic taste in music, I got my single ticket in Section 118, row w, seat 7. As I walked into the venue, I suddenly felt nervous. Clearly, I was going to be in the minority in so many ways at this concert. However, after two hours and 45 minutes of singing, dancing and laughing at Dave Grohl, the only person who cared that I was the only black person in that section was me.

I’m a firm believer that things happen for a reason. These events took place because I needed to learn once again that yes, I did belong. No one at the blogger summit or the concert cared about my years of experience or race. The only thing that mattered was that I wanted to be there to take part in this shared experience. Thank you PUBS and Foo for showing me acceptance in its purest form.

All the attention she received led to an invitation to the Ball.  There, the association princess met the handsome prince (an award) who fawned over the good work she did with the task force report. Her fairy godmother spread the word far and wide (by email) about the association princess’ good fortune. The wicked witch was pissed. “If it wasn’t for MY report, she would never have the prince!” she remarked. The fairy godmother responded, “When you no longer cared about the task force report and dropped it into the association princess’ lap, it was no longer your report.” Stung by the fairy godmother’s tongue-lashing, the wicked witch retreated to her evil lair (her large corner office).

And the association princess lived happily ever after (or until the wicked witch decides to go after her again).

IMHO, the Ignite sessions were among the best at ASAE. Each speaker brought a passion to their topic that’s rarely seen during a presentation. As someone in the audience pointed out, you rarely heard “umm” or “ah” as we spoke. We all put a lot of time and effort into our presentations and it showed. When you get a free moment, please check them out. In the meantime, here’s my presentation on lessons on association management from the artist currently known as Prince.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Htdyl8zJV8