Megan Brier, Glaxo Wellcome, Inc.
Dan Ekstein, Capital One
Carter Headrick, Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids
Corey Kerr, Cardinal Health
Joni Shenck-Flynn, Pennsylvania Bankers Association
Kristen Smith, National Federation of Independent Business

Grassroots

Winner: Issue Dynamics, Inc. Program Manger: Mark Reilly
		With Sam Simon, President of Issue Dynamics

Runner up: Wells Dairy
Program Manager: Dave Smetter

PAC

Winner: Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc. (ABC)
Program Manager: Ned Monroe, Director, Political Affairs

Technology

Winner: Legislative Demographic Services
Program Manager: Suzanne C. Weiss

We initiated the Grassroots Innovation Award in 2000 to award innovative programming in associations and corporations. The award has grown and evolved to recognize innovation in PAC and technology applications. The winners were announced at our annual Innovate to Motivate National Conference for Political Involvement Professionals on Thursday, January 30, 2003.

The following is a synopsis of the award winners and comments from the judges.

Grassroots - Issue Dynamics, Inc.

Comments from the Judges

"I think IDI’s methodology builds the perfect bridge between the electronic tools and the old-school methods which still survive as channels of communication on the Hill. I know that I would be 100 times more likely to get engaged on an issue at that moment than I would be to copy down information and “deal with it later.” This tool takes another step towards putting people into action immediately.”

"The goal of any grassroots campaign should be to facilitate a conversation between volunteers and a target in order to accomplish a goal. This nomination was innovative, applicable to many different organizations, and was a step toward improving the communication between the volunteers and the target. The blend of email and phones is a welcome new addition to the world of grassroots politics and one that I hope to make use of.”

"The ease of this resource is what impressed me the most, as well as, the ability to educate and track responses.”

Amy’s Advisory: Technology should be used to facilitate grassroots authenticity, not to substitute for it.

Grassroots Runner Up: Wells’ Dairy

Wells’ Dairy, like many corporations, conducts a new employee orientation, as well as, ongoing development opportunities for employees. The advanced program is an internal employee “university”. Wells Dairy instituted a permanent class on grassroots advocacy into the orientation and employee development curriculum.

"Most government affairs professionals want to include information on civic and legislative advocacy during new employee orientation. Very few succeed. The most attention these programs are given during orientation is usually a brochure inserted into a folder with other company materials. The fact that Wells’ was able to not only develop such a program, but was able to integrate a course on grassroots into the general employee development curriculum is highly innovative. I don’t think it’s been accomplished anywhere in the country.”

"I know that associations frequently conduct these types of classes and briefings for new association members. However, as a trade association lobbyist who represents corporate members, I certainly don’t know that it’s being done internally at any of our member companies. I think it’s very innovative.”

Amy’s Advisory: The earlier you can persuade employees that grassroots advocacy is a organizational priority, the better your results will be when you have to mobilize them.

Political Action Committee winner: Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc.

The ABC developed a sustaining PAC member program, which allows members to contribute to the PAC via a monthly deduction from their personal credit card or bank account. ABC members who want recognition associated with donating to the PAC, but do not have the resources to make a larger one-time contribution, now have the ability to reach their desired yearly contribution level, while avoiding any financial inconvenience usually associated with a one-time contribution.

Amy’s Advisory: The earlier you can persuade employees that grassroots advocacy is an organizational priority, the better your results will be when you have to mobilize them.

Technology winner: Legislative Demographic Services, Inc.

LDS’s PAC Management Tool provides PAC Managers the ability to administer and execute critical recurring functions of a Political Action Committee. The tool allows people to propose contributions to candidates, conduct committee votes, manage their budget and income, and research the contributions made by other organizations. The tool allows clients to streamline the way they manage the collection and distribution of information to PAC committee members.

"I think LDS has a completely innovative platform, created in response to a real need. It resulted in a highly functional product that has the potential for reducing the administrative workload for already strapped government relations professionals.”

"I think this application provides the data in a very innovative way. It would take an enormous amount of time to compile this type of information without this electronic tool.”

Amy’s advisory: Progressive PAC’s are, as Peter Kennerdell says, highly democratized. This tool creates ease of democratization by collecting information so that PAC board members can make solid decisions, rather than serving as a rubber stamp board.

Again, thanks to our judges who reviewed over almost 20 nominations. Well done!

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