An Advocate's Journey And How To Make A Difference Guest Column by Sherri Lennarson, MAS My journey to advocacy for our industry began more than four years ago in the dead of an Iowa winter. On that long ago January day, I journeyed over snowcovered Iowa back roads to meet Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley at a town hall meeting. I stood in a jam-packed room to ask him about what was then the “Physician Payments Sunshine Act.” Many phone calls, e-mails and visits followed. And not just with Senator Grassley, but with other Members of Congress as well. Since that day, I helped develop the PPAI GRAC (Government Relations Action Council) and watched it grow. I experienced the enthusiasm of regional leaders as legislative action teams were formed. I was honored to represent our industry in Washington, D.C. during the Legislative Education and Action Day (L.E.A.D.) event, one of the most worthy investments I have ever made. Today my journey continued on yet another January day, but in the glorious sunshine of Arizona. This morning I kept a long scheduled appointment with one of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords’ staffers even though the night before she had just announced her intentions to step down from serving in the United States House of Representatives. For me and for her it was a question of integrity and reinforced the importance of keeping the promises we make. Thinking about today’s events gives me the opportunity to reflect on why I remain committed to establishing relationships with my elected officials on behalf of our industry. It also gives me the chance to share my “lobbying” insights as I ask each of you to personally get involved. And for those of you who are already legislatively active I would ask that you ramp up your efforts. First and foremost, seize the day. Although the atmosphere at the Giffords’ Tucson office was subdued and even somber, I do not regret keeping the meeting. And even though the meeting was with an unlikely contact, I am confident one more individual understands a little bit more about our industry. He now knows we represent thousands of small-business owners who have a significant impact on their local communities’ economies. He knows we strive to help hundreds of thousands of American businesses reach their goals as they forge relationships with existing and prospective clients. He also learned more will be spent on promotional products in 2012 than on breakfast cereal, movie tickets, dry cleaning and coffee shops (including Starbucks). Volume 2, Issue 6 27 January 2012 • • • • • • An Advocate's Journey State Of The Union PPAI Legislator Of The Year Award Booth-In-A-Box Track Your Advocacy Success Advocacy NOW At the very least, today becomes a dress rehearsal for tomorrow. My next meeting will be a little easier because of today’s practice. Tell our story, your story, passionately and as often as possible. You never know when you will be talking with someone who can and does influence public policy. You should be so comfortable with your elevator speech that it becomes second nature. Do not put off a chance to tell your story. Pick up the phone. Script that e-mail. Make the effort to contact your local congressional offices today. And remember, what we do creates excitement and elicits a response. I delivered helium-filled balloons (graciously supplied by Board Member Mark Jenkins, MAS and Pioneer Balloon) with a “YOU ROCK” message. Gabrielle Giffords often signed e-mails to her staffers with a “YOU ROCK” closing. Staffers were touched by the colorful bouquet and willingly had their picture taken with me. A little bit of homework went a long way today. Advocacy is about cultivating relationships. Learn about your Senators’ and Representatives’ hot buttons. Read about their positions in advance. Prepare as if you were visiting a new client for the first time. I have great respect for Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords. I have walked a parallel path with her this past year. My husband, John, was diagnosed with a brain tumor last January. He and Gabby share a remarkable neurosurgeon. Both of them have worked incredibly hard during rehab. What John and Gabby have accomplished over the past year is inspiring. Gabby in particular has continued to encourage dialogue even after her openness and accessibility caused her great physical harm and pain. Yet she continues to encourage this public exchange and asks that we do so with respect and civility. It is a privilege. It is a responsibility. I hope you will join me in the cause. Our Association makes it easier than you can imagine. Please visit PPAILAW at www.ppailaw.org or call 1-888-I AM PPAI and ask to speak with someone in our Public Affairs Department. They will be happy to help you get started, or feel free to contact me at [email protected]. And when you make that meeting, don’t forget to distribute special promotional pieces to your Member of Congress and their staffers. Today I left a journal with a personal message for Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords inscribed on the inside cover. When her staffer asked me if the journal was valued at more than $50, I said no, but smiled knowing it was a priceless tool as Gabby continues her rehab regiment. Get involved. Make the call. Make a difference! Pictured Above: Sherri Lennarson, MAS, Bankers Advertising Company, Senator Tom Harkin (IA), Scott Siegel, MAS, R.S. Owens and Eric Ekstrand, MAS, The Mort C. McClennan Co. The State Of The Union: The Administration's Agenda And The Promotional Products Industry In his State of the Union address on Tuesday, President Obama explained the Administration’s “blueprint for an economy that’s built to last.” This economy would be built on a foundation of “American manufacturing, American energy, skills for American workers and a renewal of American values.” For each pillar, the President outlined specific strategies that his administration would employ over the coming year. The following are likely to have an impact on the promotional products industry. Tax Reform The President proposed various tax changes and reforms including higher taxes for companies that outsource jobs, tax cuts for American manufacturers, and tax incentives for businesses to upgrade work spaces to clean or green standards. Considering the current political landscape of the House and Senate, the first reform is unlikely to pass. The latter provisions have more potential. Regulatory Reform The President noted “there is no question that some regulations are outdated, unnecessary or too costly.” It is his goal for each federal agency “to eliminate rules that don’t make sense.” For the promotional products industry, relief from the burdens of some consumer product safety requirements has already been passed in H.R. 2715. With this law, the CPSC is required to seek public comment on opportunities to reduce the cost of third-party testing requirements consistent with assuring compliance. It also contained special rules for small-batch manufacturers and directed the CPSC to consider alternative testing requirements for those manufacturers. PPAI has long worked with the CPSC and other regulatory agencies to shape the regulation that affects your business. If you would like to work with PPAI in responding to the CPSC’s calls for comments, contact the PPAI Public Affairs department at [email protected]. Aside from reform of current regulations, the President also asked Congress “to grant [him] the authority to consolidate the federal bureaucracy so that our government is leaner, quicker and more responsive to the needs of the American people.” In this plan, the Small Business Administration (SBA) would be consolidated into a larger agency that would include the Department of Commerce’s core business and trade functions, the Export-Import Bank, the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), the Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTAR). With the creation of this new department, the President would also add a seat to his cabinet specifically devoted to small-business issues and representation. The increased focus on small business at the cabinet level could be a tradeoff for narrowed focus on the unique programs that promote small-business growth. PPAI will monitor the effect of this change on small-business programs and work with the newly created department to advance the interests of small businesses in the industry. Review a transcript of the President’s State of the Union address to learn more about the administration’s agenda. Learn more about advocacy, the issues facing the industry and how to make your voice heard at www.ppailaw.org. Nominate The Legislator Of The Year Promotional Products Association International (PPAI) and the PPAI Government Relations Action Council (GRAC) believe it is important to publicly recognize and thank a member of Congress who has supported the promotional products industry in 2011. Therefore, PPAI has established the first annual PPAI Legislator of the Year Award. Please take a moment to nominate a member of Congress who has been a friend to our industry. All nominations are due no later than Friday, February 3 at 5 pm CT. Nominations will be reviewed by an impartial team of industry professionals. PPAI will announce the winner on Monday, February 13 and invite him or her to join advocates at the PPAI Legislative Education and Action Day (L.E.A.D) in Washington on March 7. Learn more about L.E.A.D. at www.ppai.org/lead. Booth-In-A-Box Spring Show Deadline Approaching Take action and make an impact at your regional event or tradeshow. Take advantage of PPAI’s free Booth-In-A-Box offerings. Place your order today for spring tradeshows. Booth-In-A-Box includes everything you need to encourage advocacy on the tradeshow floor from pledge cards, issue flyers, signs, promotional items and other decorative elements for their booth. All orders for the spring shows are due by Friday, February 3. Track Your Advocacy Success Before your next meeting with an elected official, send an e-mail to [email protected] and let us know who you’re meeting with—we’ll send you information on meetings the industry has had with that member of Congress before. To keep this information relevant for all industry advocates, be sure to send the following information after your meeting: • Member of Congress name • Meeting date • Meeting attendees • Contact information from the office staff (to be secured from business cards) • Notes about the meeting topic • Photos when available We’ll save this information to the industry’s advocacy database and include information about the meeting in this and other PPAI publications. Advocacy NOW UMAPP’s L.E.A.P. The Upper Midwest Association of Promotional Professional’s (UMAPP) Government Relations Council (GRC) recently decided to celebrate leap year by implementing their Legislator Education & Advocacy Program (L.E.A.P.). Bill Benolken, GRC Chair-Elect, will encourage UMAPP's leadership to set the pace by meeting with their state representatives before February 29, 2012. Pictured Right: Sue Selseth, UMAPP executive director and Bill Benolken, UMAPP GRC Chair-Elect. Newton Manufacturing’s Dan Livengood Speaks With Congressman Ron Paul’s Staff On Industry’s Concerns Dan Livengood, a senior sales manager for Newton, Iowa’s Newton Manufacturing (UPIC: NEWTON), took the opportunity of Republican primary candidate Congressman Ron Paul’s (R-TX) visit to the Iowa Speedway to speak on the promotional products industry’s concerns in light of recent government cutbacks. Meeting with Jesse Benton, Paul’s campaign manager, Livengood spoke on local, state and federal spending cuts and their impact on the promotional products industry. Livengood shared data with Benton provided by Anne Lardner-Stone, PPAI’s director of public affairs, as well as Newton’s own case studies showing the effectiveness of promotional products in education and government programs. “Several of those in attendance were surprised to hear that there are 458,000 jobs and 32,000 companies associated with the promotional products industry, of those companies, 95 percent are small-business owners,” says Livengood. “We need to raise more visibility in our industry. It’s a matter of taking a little time to reach out with genuine concern and willingness to educate those who are of political influence.” In an interview with CNN, Livengood encouraged politicians to learn more about promotional products’ benefits before mandating widespread cuts or bans on their use by local, state and federal governments. Pictured Above: Newton Manufacturing’s Dan Livengood (right) presents Congressman Ron Paul’s campaign manager, Jess Benton, information about the promotional products industry. Questions or comments? E-mail us at [email protected] or call 972-570-3282.
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