The Dovetail: Political Advocacy – Do You Have a Seat at the Table?

The Dovetail: Political Advocacy – Do You Have a Seat at the Table?

As business professionals, we understand the importance of investing. Every day, we invest in ourselves, our employees, and our commitment to the industries we serve – all to help ensure the continued vitality of our businesses. However, often we overlook the importance of investing in advocacy actions to secure a profitable today and a better tomorrow. We cannot afford to ignore political advocacy and sit on the sidelines and hope someone else makes the play. We cannot escape the fact that government occupies a massive role in determining the conditions under which we operate our businesses. One harmful law or regulation can destroy years of hard work, and that’s why it’s so important to make a personal investment in the advocacy process.

Advocacy ensures that your voice, and the voices of similar companies, are heard. Legislators need to understand what is important to your industry, your business, and your employees. You, like PLM, may rely on trade groups to represent these positions on issues that affect your professional success. These associations identify ideas and concepts that could positively or negatively influence your business. They serve to provide education to help form the opinions of the legislative and executive branches. There is a saying in political circles that if you don’t have a seat at the table, then you will be on the menu. These groups ensure that you have a seat at the table.

It is vital that you get involved – share your experiences, give your time, and contribute your dollars. If you don’t care about the issues facing your business, how can you expect anyone else to?

Some recommended actions include:

• Strengthen your membership in industry associations, financially support advocacy costs or Political Action Committees, and participate in discussion groups or committees which develop policy positions.
• Attend advocacy days or “fly-ins” in Washington D.C. or your state capital. These are opportunities to meet with your elected legislators and become a source on current and future issues. It’s important to attend these events regularly and build longstanding relationships. Share personal stories and bring family members and children to enhance the importance of these trips.
• Host your legislators at your business to meet your employees and tour your facilities. Share personal stories and concerns about your business and how your employees are affected. Politics is local and you want that legislator to think of you when an issue comes across their desk.
• Write, email, or call your legislator’s office to voice your support on good work and your caution on potentially detrimental proposals. It is important that these lawmakers hear from you and they welcome an insight into the impact they have on constituents and local businesses.

At PLM, we understand that our ability to continue to serve our policyholders requires the ongoing success of the lumber industry. We support the bipartisan advocacy efforts of many of our association partners, including The Hardwood Federation, National Lumber and Building Material Dealers Association, Lumbermen’s Association of Texas, American Building Materials Alliance, and Southeastern Lumber Manufacturers Association. To continue and enhance our support of these initiatives, a PLM executive sponsor is individually assigned to each association and often sits on committees or boards.

If you’d like to discuss how PLM can support your advocacy initiatives, contact Matthew Kienholz, AVP – Regulatory & Government Affairs, at mkienholz@plmins.com.