turning public policy initiatives into membership gains
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No one starts advocacy efforts with the goal of membership losses…but it can happen. So, what to do when it does? These were the questions that the Chamber of Commerce Executives of Missouri asked at the their Fall meeting. Read what the multi-panelist and group discussion points and insights were here: http://www.votility.com/blog/turning-public-policy-initiatives-into-membership-gainsTRANSCRIPT
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Turning Public Policy Initiatives into Membership Gains
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In Person Panelists
• Scott Tate, President & CEO Greater St. Charles County Chamber
(GSTCCC)
• Wendy Rackovan, VP of Marketing and Communications , GSTCCC
• Brent Willis, Founder and CEOVotility, Inc.
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Virtual Panelist
• Carole Mahoney, Sales & Marketing Coach & Consultant
• Ten years of experience as a growth strategist with startups and small businesses in both the for profit and for purpose (not profit) sectors.
• Favorite quote: “Always be learning.”
• Lives in picturesque Maine where she currently writing her first book on startup sales.
• c. (207) 604-6287 www.carolemahoney.com
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Virtual Panelist
• Michael O’Brien, Founder & Principle, MOB Advocacy
• Ten years experience as a state and local lobbyist. Michael has lobbied governors, mayors, legislators, state and local agencies and regulators in more than 40 states.
• Responsible for national state and local government affairs departments, political and grassroots advocacy programs, creating strong public-private partnerships
• www.mob-advocacy.com
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Advocacy: Membership Loss or Gain?“Advocacy is a pillar to the core mission of the chamber.”-Mick Fleming, previous ACCE president
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It can happen.
How to prevent it from happening?What to do if it does?
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How did we get here?
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What type of Chamber are you?
1.No
Advocacy
2.Top
DownAdvocacy
3.Bottom
UpAdvocacy
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Agree or disagree:
Is member engagement is crucial to member retention?
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Advocacy engagement on the rise.
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Advocacy= Retention & Acquisition
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How to construct a positive, membership driven advocacy policy…
•Advocacy Committee and Board alignment
• Marketing / Communications and Advocacy alignment
•Tools to help involve members in policy decisions for transparency
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Tips & Stories
•Matt Largen, Williamson County Chamber- Franklin, TN “Move from a case by case basis on issues to guidelines and factors to consider.”
•Carlye Morgan, Sr. Director of Government Relations. “Get in front of issues with regular check-ins with officials. If we are really doing as we say we are, we are involved in issues that are important to the business community. Policy has become a sales tool – folks are joining for the advocacy benefits we can offer to their company.”
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Recap• Advocacy is core to the chamber mission• You can’t make everyone happy all the time. To avoid membership losses involve them early and often. Embrace transparency and have a road map for engagement.•Avoid Top Down; membership losses are more probable, organization is seen as “out of touch”.• The demand for advocacy is on the rise. Be proactive and prepared to educate on the issues.•Engagement equates to retention. Advocacy engagement rates are the highest.
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Questions & Resources