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It’s that time of year again, to announce the 2003 All-Showalter Team. The All-Showalter Team is comprised of government relations professionals who embody one or more necessary qualities of a PAC and/or grassroots avatar. A few gifted individuals are previous Team members from a different category, and some are named in several categories.
Accountability - A candid assessment of our programs’ successes and failures builds internal organizational respect for all government relations work. Excuses and rationalizations are unacceptable to accountable government relations professionals.
- Ned Monroe, Associated Builders & Contractors
- Holly Reed, Connecticut Association of REALTORS
Attention to Detail - Many of us are adequate self-starters; however, we have to be excellent self-finishers. The road to achievement is bombarded with incomplete projects and loose ends. How many projects, initiatives, programs do we have that are lying on the shelves, or “in process?” While it’s good for some of them to stay on the shelf, it’s not a bad practice of getting in the habit of finishing what you start.
- Suzanne Pechilio Polis, American Heart Association
- Judy Job, We Energies
Curiosity/Innovation - Because grassroots activism is not a natural state of being, the astute leader knows that they always have to find new and innovative ways to get people engaged in their cause. Continuously asking questions as to why something is the way it is, or how it can be made better, is the essence of curiosity, and leads to innovation.
- Vicky Suazo, The Dow Chemical Company
Energy – Grassroots and PAC professionals are constantly coaching, instructing, educating, nurturing, and acknowledging the efforts of their members. Energetic leaders are biochemically incapable of inertia. Their energy transforms their programs and their members.
- Kristine Miller, The Boeing Company
- Laura Feldman, National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare
Focus on Results - Focus creates efficiency. It allows us to ascertain whether or not a particular action will help us move toward our goal. Less successful people are inflexible on outputs, deliverables, etc., but are flexible on their results. Successful people are focused on the results, and are flexible in how they achieve their results.
- Mary Schell, Wendy's International
Humor - The key is to take your responsibilities, but not yourself, too seriously. Everything must be kept in perspective. A sense of humor is appealing to PAC and grassroots members.
- Debbie Proctor, Debbie Plummer and Deanna Winstel, Cinergy
- Callie Jill Denton, Regency Blue Cross Blue Shield
Member Respect - Your grassroots and PAC members (whether
corporate or individual) know if you truly value their contributions toward
your organization’s success. Member respect entails seeking out the opinions
of your members, and acting on their appropriate suggestions. This expression
of trust accelerates their desire to get even more engaged in the process.
- Jodi Chappell, American Academy of Audiology
Risk Taking - Walter Lippman said, "When everyone thinks alike, no one thinks." Following the herd is rarely a recipe for success. Risky pursuits in one organization may be common practice in another, but if you are not making waves, you’re not accomplishing anything.
- Vicky Suazo, The Dow Chemical Company
Passion - The best grassroots and PAC leaders love what they do. While not everyday is bliss, they generally work with a sense of mission and belief in their cause.
- Linda Auglis, National Beer Wholesalers Association
Strategic Goal Setting - Ad hoc PAC and grassroots efforts are rarely successful. Further, lack of planning and goal setting results in a lack of program momentum. Planning and goal setting increases the likelihood that your efforts will result in an organized, results-oriented program.
- Megan Brier, GlaxoSmithKline
Presentation Skills - To rally the troops for any cause, you have to speak! The adept speakers make their presentations an experience, rather than just a transfer of knowledge.
- Glen Caroline, National Rifle Association Institute for Legislative Action
Organization - Juggling multiple projects and initiatives is a constant challenge. The organized government relations professional keeps it all together. The result is a program with momentum and efficiency.
- Michelle Mason, The Century Council
