Can we learn anything from political campaigns?

It's election season and once again we're being bombarded by phone calls, mailings, radio and television ads; all focused on capturing our attention and influencing our vote. With every candidate driving to be successful on November 2. It triggers the question, doesn't it? How do we launch a successful campaign for our own cause or nonprofit organization? How do we borrow the best from political strategists and effectively use their techniques to advance our mission and forward our cause?

Andy Knott, executive director for The Watershed Center, led a great professional development session at NorthSky last week on Grassroots Advocacy. Some tips he shared:

• Build your advocacy network by identifying and recruiting individuals who support your cause and share your passion. How do you find these folks? By going public with your cause --perhaps through an education session, event of some sort, or media story.
• Carefully craft your message and train the members of your network to deliver it. Don't assume that they can convey your message effectively: arm them with materials and train them to deliver the message.
• Communicate with and build relationships with politicians and opinion leaders. Use letter writing campaigns, phone calls and meetings to get to know one another.
• Build coalitions with other organizations who share your mission and support for the cause. List and publicize your coalition partners to gain support from other individuals and organizations.
• Meet with officials at the local, state and federal level. Remember: you'll have more impact if other coalition members and constituents participate. And, develop a print piece that you can leave behind.

Successful grassroots advocacy depends on relationship building and using others to deliver your message over and over again. You need to become an exquisite communicator with the ability to infect others with your passion. It takes time and energy.

Other suggestions to share?