Does your advocacy work include grassroots lobbying? Do you know what actions are considered grassroots lobbying?

Generally, Grassroots Lobbying is defined as the act of encouraging the public to contact lawmakers and administrative officials for the purpose of influencing legislation or other official action.

These actions may trigger registration requirements.  And if your organization already has registered lobbyists, these actions may have to be reported.

State and Federal Communications is here to help you. Our newest tip sheet on Grassroots Lobbying will provide you with guidance on how to ensure you can stay compliant with all your grassroots advocacy efforts.

This tip sheet will provide you with the key information to keep in mind as you begin your efforts, including knowing what activities trigger registration and when you have to register.

Click here to get this FREE tip sheet today – and ensure you and your team can say “I Comply!”

Writing a monthly column doesn’t come easy for me…I want to find something to pique your interest but not make you fall asleep reading. I was kind of stuck waiting until the 11th hour to write the column when I thought I would see what I wrote in previous Septembers. (So now you will all know I am a technological pack rat and save everything I have written.)

In 2014—three years ago I still have seven (7) states to visit in this country. Now, I know those of you who follow me on Facebook cannot believe I have not been to all 50 states.  I had not completed it by 2014 and I am sorry to say I still have not reached the goal.

I really thought I could knock off South Dakota with Sen. Deb Peters at the NCSL Executive Committee meeting in October but it conflicts with a few other events that week and I cannot get there.  There is still a chance I can knock this off by taking a US vacation to see Mount Rushmore.

Back to the subject. I am now down to the Final Four!!!

• Alabama
• Montana
• South Dakota
• Wyoming

What are your outstanding ones? And, if any of you have Ohio on that list, you need to call me to attend any of a number sporting events—Cleveland Browns, Cleveland Indians, Cleveland CAVS, Akron Rubber Ducks, or a visit to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. I also have season tickets to the home games to Kent State University Golden Flashes. #flashesforever

I have a new goal and there is a new year coming up…Let’s do it!

Until next month, put your list together of states still left to see and hit the road.

Elizabeth Z. Bartz

President and CEO
@elizabethbartz

Check out these photos from a busy August at State and Federal Communications!

We hope you enjoy some quality time with friends and family this labor day weekend. We’ll be back Tuesday, September 5, ready to assist you in meeting all your government relations compliance needs! Have a great holiday weekend!

 
This Thursday, August 31, State and Federal Communications is taking part in The Agora: Government Relations & Public Affairs Marketplace on the campus of George Washington University in Washington, D.C.

From the event coordinator, “The Grassroots Professional Network (GPN) in partnership with George Washington University’s Graduate School of Political School of Management (GSPM) and The Hill are hosting the Agora ‘The Marketplace for the Government Relations & Public Affairs’ Industry. Join hundreds of advocacy professionals for an outdoor marketplace, network with industry peers, and sample the latest technology, tools, and trends. Make sure you visit the center stage to listen to live fireside chats hosted by GPN, GSPM, and The Hill’s leadership.”

You can find Gamble Hayden and Jon Spontarelli from 3-6 p.m. at the University Yard on H Street between 20th and 21st streets, NW. Stop by and see how State and Federal Communications can help you in your government relations and public affairs activities!

We’re taking a short break. Don’t worry, all your state government and ethics news from LobbyComply Will Return! Thank you for being a loyal reader. We’ll see you soon!

The women of State and Federal Communications had the opportunity to attend PGA’s annual Executive Women’s Day and enjoy a day filled with golf insights, advice, and lessons.

This year’s program was held at Firestone Country Club on August 1. During breakfast, we learned what it’s like to be a caddy for professional golfers. We gained personal insight and stories from those closest to the golf pro.

After breakfast, Lisa Murray, Chief Marketing Officer at Octagon, shared advice and stories she’s obtained throughout her life. She told us how her perspective has changed many times from the beginning of her career to now. Murray has a degree in consumer economics, but has built a career in marketing. Octagon is a sports and entertainment marketing agency that she has been with since its very beginning. She helped it grow into the global marketing leader it is today. Murray’s key note address was humorous but also provided motivation to take risks in your career – as a woman and a professional.

Afterward, we had the chance to participate in a golf clinic. There were three stations – putting, chipping, and driving. A golf pro was at each station to give us tips on improving our golf game.

The speakers, golf clinic, and inspiring atmosphere of the event came together to create an uplifting day. Overall, Executive Women’s Day was a hit among State and Federal Communications employees and something we look forward to every year. It was a beautiful day, an empowering program, and a great start to the Bridgestone Invitational.

Intern Edge concluded last week with a graduation ceremony. I was among the interns who were asked to give a short speech about our experience and key take away from the program.

When asked to speak, the facilitator said that she noticed my constant participation from week to week. It was very easy for me to want to participate because I really enjoyed the thought-provoking questions and discussions each week.

As I make strides to become a leader in my community and a force in my career field, my biggest take away is that connections count and leaders are versatile members of the community who have a lot to offer the people around them. It is important to surround yourself with successful people who want to see you do well and I feel that Intern Edge has done that for me.

The past six weeks have been both enlightening and enjoyable. I am very thankful for the opportunity to had participated in Leadership Akron Intern Edge. I would like to thank Elizabeth Bartz for making it possible for me to attend these sessions week to week. This was already a great program, and the fact that she pays her interns to go puts the cherry on top.

Pictured left to right, State and Federal Communications interns Katelynn Chilson and Olivia Williams

State and Federal Communications emphasizes the importance of professional development. There are many programs, webinars, and events the company provides for staff members to participate in. The goal is for employees to continuously learn and grow as professionals.

Lunch and Learn is a program the company uses to educate employees on various work-related topics. Staff members can enjoy lunch with their colleagues while learning something new.

State and Federal Communications recently welcomed crisis communications and media specialist Stephanie York from Hennes Communications. During the Lunch and Learn, York informed employees of the importance of crisis management and how handling a crisis can be easy if you follow the Damage Control Playbook.

She told us five things that we should know amid a crisis:

1. Tell the truth. The truth is going to come out eventually. It is better to state the truth at the beginning rather than wait for it to be exposed.
2. Tell it first. The public is going to find out the truth, inevitably. It is better for the company’s reputation to be the one informing the public. If the audience is already aware of the situation, they won’t be fazed if it shows up in the news.
3. Tell it all. Trying to hide part of the truth will result in backlash. If new information is revealed that you didn’t disclose to your audience, people will think the company had something to hide.
4. Be aware of media filters. Every story about the crisis is going to be told differently. If you give reporters all the information upfront it will usually produce a filter that respects the company.
5. Know the fundamental role of reporting. Reporters want to tell a juicy story. The situation will seem less scandalous coming from the source directly.

Knowing how to take control of the situation and communicate efficiently is beneficial to the company. Employees now know what to do and who to communicate with if the company ever faces a crisis. This information can also be applied when communicating with our clients. If they find themselves in a situation and need our assistance in any way, we are now better equipped to help. The Lunch and Learn was a great way to learn more about important topics in the industry.

State and Federal Communications is headed to the NCSL Legislative Summit in Boston. Stop by and see us at booth 730!

State and Federal Communications employees had the opportunity to get out of the office and enjoy a Rubber Ducks baseball game on June 29. Beautiful weather and a Rubber Ducks win made for a great office outing!

Elizabeth Bartz, president and CEO, provided staff members with tickets and invited us to take a break for part of the day. Employees had the chance to hang out with each other in a casual setting and visit with coworkers who were in from Washington DC. We bonded over great food, beautiful weather, and our love of baseball.

“It was nice to get out of the office for the day and enjoy the game and the beautiful weather,” public relations intern Olivia Williams said.

The office outing provided a change of scenery and refueled us for the end of the week. Sometimes a little break is all you need to finish the week out strong!

The Rubber Ducks beat the Erie SeaWolves 7 to 6. It was a great day to be a Rubber Ducks fan and an even better day to be a State and Federal Communications employee!

State and Federal Communications does all it can to give back to the community. One of the main ways we contribute is by working with the United Way. Along with the many other United Way programs we participate in, we have a yearly campaign to collect donations for its Stuff the Bus program.

The Stuff the Bus program collects school supplies for children from the Akron Public Schools. This year’s campaign runs from July 9 to September 6. There are three different ways to participate in Stuff the Bus: request a collection bin, volunteer at the Sort-a-Thon, or deliver the backpacks to the students. We are getting collection bins to gather supplies, but each part of this event is important and contributes to making it successful. The United Way will be collecting supplies from July 9 to August 18, the Sort-a-Thon takes place on August 22, and Delivery Day is September 6.

State and Federal Communications loves being a part of a program that encourages education. We want to see Akron Public Schools’ students succeed and grow into educated men and women. State and Federal Communications firmly stands behind this cause, and we really promote the message within our company and campaign to get our whole staff to participate. We are excited to Stuff the Bus this year as we have many times before!

To learn more, visit the United Way’s Stuff the Bus website.

Every summer State and Federal interns participate in Intern Edge, a program offered by Torchbearers and Leadership Akron. This program introduces the interns to established leaders, organizations, and groups that are making an impact in our community.

The company invests time and money to aide interns in their process of becoming community leaders and career professionals. It is important for interns to network and make connections with other young adults who are on similar paths.

During our second session, Katelynn Chilson and I joined other Intern Edge participants and raced through downtown Akron on a scavenger hunt. We were required to take as many pictures as possible in front of downtown’s most well-known spots. In order to receive credits for our finds, we had to post our pictures to our social media accounts.

This session gave us an opportunity to see some of downtown Akron’s thriving businesses and to see what downtown had to offer. It also taught us the importance of plugging in and posting to social media sites to reach larger audiences. The photos of us downtown show us learning about and connecting with the community in which we work. Search the hashtags #LAEdge2017 , #Cavs, and #CamoJama on Twitter or Instagram to see more photos of us enjoying downtown Akron.

Attending any of these events in July? State and Federal Communications will see you there!

July 10 Akron Community Foundation’s 62nd Annual Meeting, Akron, OH

July 11 NABPAC Rap Luncheon, Washington, D.C.

July 13-16 National Governors Association 2017 Annual Meeting, Providence, RI

June 20 Akron Roundtable, Akron, OH