CREATING YOUR GRASSROOTS STRATEGY GABRIEL SNOW NRECA POLITICAL AFFAIRS

CREATING YOUR GRASSROOTS STRATEGY GABRIEL SNOW NRECA POLITICAL AFFAIRS

What is Grassroots Core of the democratic process Like-minded citizens petitioning their governments Like-minded citizens communicating with policy makers Organized effort to influence policy decisions Powerful instrument to meet your co-ops political challenges Collective voice of like-minded individuals Pg. 3

Political Engagement is Vital 42 million member consumers Telling our story 3 Pg. 3

What Made Us Strong Yesterday? The electric cooperative mission was singular in purpose safe, reliable, affordable electricity A unified voice Organizers were our advocates Programs were Populist in nature, supporting the needs of working families, farmers and ranchers Legislators identified with our members Pg. 4

What Makes Us Strong Today? Our uniqueness as co-ops Ownership stake Impacts all aspects of life (home, work, school and community) Trust, loyalty, engagement Pg. 4

Engaging Member-Owners in Political Challenges on Behalf of the Co-op Without strong support from their member-owners, the traditional grassroots support can quickly erode. Member engagement is the heart of the cooperative business model. The well-spring of the cooperative program s political strength. Pg. 5

Grassroots Strength What organizations do YOU associate with political strength? Pg. 6

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Grassroots Power They (NRA members) call their congressmen. They write. They vote. They contribute. And they get what they want over time. George Stephanopoulos (former spokesman for President Clinton) Pg. 6

Sierra Club 2.3 million members 65 chapters 400 local groups

Built-In Advantage - Members Pg. 6

Co-op Representation in Congress Under 15% 0% 15% 50% Over 50% Pg. 15

Population of US Congressional Districts Pg. 16

CASE STUDIES Pg. 25

Credit Union National Association Pg. 25

CUNA: Don t Tax My Credit Union Don t Tax My Credit Union is a national campaign dedicated to ensuring Congress doesn t raise taxes on 96 million credit union members nationwide and preserves financial choice for American consumers. Pg. 25

CUNA: Don t Tax My Credit Union Pg. 25

CUNA: Don t Tax My Credit Union: Local Advocacy Pg. 25

CUNA: Don t Tax My Credit Union: Local Visibility Pg. 25

Bonner & Associates Pg. 25

Bonner & Associates: AstroTurfing Months of bad publicity in Washington trade press Loss of credibility on the issue Coalition leaders called to testify before Congress Pg. 25

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Arkansas Electric Co-ops: Pole Attachments 25

Timeline Day 1 Day 5 Day 8 Day 9 Day 10 Cable industry introduces their bill in the General Assembly Managers & Key Staff meet with bill sponsors to discuss an amendment to the bill Bill sponsors planned to introduce an amendment supported by the cable industry AR Electric Co-ops sent a call to Action to thousands of grassroots advocates Bill sponsors withdrawal considerati on of the bill.

Call to Action We need your help NOW to STOP HOUSE BILL 1798 This bill could INCREASE YOUR ELECTRIC RATES

Results Within Less than 24 Hours Over 4,000 emails delivered Over 2,000 advocates Overwhelming legislator support

The Power of Grassroots Arkansas Rep. Robin Lundstrum: R District 87

PUTTING YOUR POLITICAL GAME PLAN TOGETHER Pg. 27

Ladder of Political Engagement Full Political Participation Integrated Grasstops, Grassroots & PAC Programs Grassroots Participation Member-Owner Advocacy Program Grasstops Participation CEO/BOD/Employee Advocacy Only Minimal Participation Inconsistent participation at all levels Pg. 31

What is a Political Game Plan? Dated, written document Details actions that will build/strengthen relationships with government officials and opinion leaders who direct policy that affects electric cooperative business Contains a strategy to turn co-op member-owners into advocates and advocates into champions Customized by co-op Designed to improve the co-op s overall political strength Reviewed periodically by the Board Pg. 28

Sample Political Game Plan Pgs. 28-29 33

Political Game Plan Builder Easy to use online tool Customize a plan for your co-op Pg. 27

What is a Political Relationship? A relationship developed over time between stakeholders and an elected official which serves to protect the stakeholder s interests. Pg. 27

What is a Political Relationship? A relationship developed over time between stakeholders and an elected official which serves to protect the stakeholder s interests. Pg. 27

Political Relationships Power Mapping Who you know at the Federal and State level How well you know them If and how you will contact them Pg. 27

ADVOCACY IN ACTION 38

Group Exercise 1. Appoint a spokesperson. 2. Discuss the grassroots campaign activity you ve been assigned. 3. Prepare a brief presentation answering the following questions: Explain the grassroots campaign item you ve been assigned in your own language. Provide your group s response to the statement which follows your assigned item. 4. You have 7-10 minutes for group discussion. Hypothetical issue: 111(D) the Clean Power Plan Pg. 32

Growing Advocates from Members: Step 1 KNOW WHERE TO PLANT THE SEED The first step in building a strong grassroots advocacy program is to build a plan for how your co-op will engage the membership. Identify the key areas where your co-op can engage your members. What steps should your co-op take to build a plan for success? Pgs. 33-35

Growing Advocates from Members: Step 2 PREPARE THE SOIL In order to be heard on the political issues your co-op will need to enlist help from the membership. What can your co-op do to begin building a list of possible grassroots advocates among the membership? What new activities / events should your co-op consider? Pgs. 33-35

Growing Advocates from Members: Step 3 SPROUT ROOTS To thrive in the future, co-ops need to grow more comfortable telling the story of how important grassroots advocacy is and why it s essential to the co-op. Identify ways that your co-op can educate the members on political issues and how they affect the co-op and community. Explain how the political issues facing your co-op will impact the members. Pgs. 33-35

Growing Advocates from Members: Step 4 CONSISTENT WATERING To keep your advocates engaged update them with consistent communications that cover the political issues. Identify ways co-ops can keep advocates and champions informed about political issues. Are there any new or unique methods of communications your co-op should consider? Pgs. 33-35

Growing Advocates from Members: Step 5 PLENTY OF SUNSHINE With a little TLC, you can turn members into advocates and advocates into champions. Identify strategies for converting advocates into champions. Provide examples for how your co-op can empower members to action. Pgs. 33-35

ADVOCACY TOOLS FOR SUCCESS Pg. 27

New Grassroots Website Communicate with lawmakers Stay informed on the issues Download the WREA Legislative Roster App

Cooperative.com Tools for success: 47 Pg. 31

Cooperative Action Network App! Featuring Talking points Congressional directory Breaking alerts Ability to take action on issues important to electric co-ops To download - Search for NRECA Advocacy in the appropriate app store for your mobile device. Pg. 36

THANK YOU Gabriel Snow NRECA Political Affairs 703-907-5799 gabe.snow@nreca.coop