Grassroots Activism Part 2: Just Do It

“Cut out a favorable newspaper clipping and send it with your business card and a handwritten note. Tell them to keep up the good work,” Grefe suggested. Letters and calls to officials at all levels make a definite impact, especially when they’re positive.

“Once you know the techniques, you realize there is little difference between sales, lobbying, fundraising and community development activities. Remember, you have a legitimate reason to call,” Grefe said.

“If the only time they see you is when you have a problem, you’re just a stranger without a relationship,” he noted. “Check the reelection schedule, call them, find out how they vote and how they perceive your business. The lawn and landscape contracting industry is well positioned for this approach.”

GET IN THE DOOR. Approaching national officials differs very little from building relationships at the state and national level, except it requires more planning and effort to contact, due to their busy schedules.

Telephone calls may be fielded by staff persons and multiple calls and letters may not bring about a commitment for a face-to-face meeting until the last minute. Often, a staff person is assigned to meet with visitors and may not know about the industry.

Whether it’s the official or a staffer, one of the first steps in relationship building is to educate them on your business and your industry and the benefits they contribute to the community.

NEED HELP? While the grassroots process works best if each contractor cultivates his or her own network of contacts, there’s also much to be said for working through organized channels.

Local groups, regional organizations and national associations sponsor outreach activities. A few examples include:

• PLCAA and its Allied Regional Associations hold a number of events to reach officials and policy makers, including it’s annual Day on the Hill. This two-day event gives lawn care contractors a chance to meet other contractors, learn the status of legislative and regulatory issues affecting lawn care, and visit their representatives or senators.



• The American Association of Nurserymen, the National Landscape Association and the Associated Landscape Contractors of America provide updates on pertinent issues, workbooks on establishing relationships with opinion leaders and face-to-face meetings with key legislators.



• AAN’s Lighthouse Fund supports grassroots efforts on a state and regional basis.



• As issues arise, many industry groups can be called upon to provide support.

BE THE HERO. Bellwether states like California, New York, Florida and Massachusetts often set the stage for legislation and regulations to come in other areas, Grefe noted.

Although the regulatory front may be quiet in your area, a plan for organizing can mean the difference when the industry’s business (or your own) is threatened by regulations. When controversial ordinances or laws are proposed, the time for activism has arrived. Although preestablished networks may help, an organized industry of contractors, suppliers, customers and the community at large will have the most success, experts predict.

Become a decision maker. Get involved with the group that will decide specifics of regulation and volunteer to be the industry representative.

Chris Forth, regional technical manager of TruGreen-ChemLawn in Baltimore, Md., became involved in the issue of whether the city of Gaithersburg, Md., should ban all pesticides. He participated in a televised panel discussion with others representing all sides of the issue. A task force of residents was formed to investigate the idea, and the local TruGreen-ChemLawn branch manager was appointed to the panel.

“Since I was part of the original panel, I attend the meetings as an observer,” he continued. “The group has met since October of 1996 and developed IPM criteria and a guide for the city.”

Participation was crucial at the early stages, Forth said. “There was a lot of misinformation about pesticide use in lawn and landscape care. Some people had the wrong idea and needed some balance. I tried to serve as an advisor.

“The best thing to do in this kind of situation is to sit down with people who have an absolutely fundamental disagreement with you and look them in the eye,” he added. “You realize you’re both humans and it’s a start to developing good interaction.”

Paul Miller, owner of Evergreen Landscape in Duluth, Minn., had a similar experience when that city proposed a pesticide ban. “It was up for a preliminary vote and was to be officially adopted at the next meeting when the city forester and florist stepped in. They suggested a task force to investigate because similar bans elsewhere were a disaster.”

Miller participated in the task force, representing the “user” side. The group studied the issue and the result was a profile of what managed areas should include in terms of indigenous plants, design and maintenance. The ban was not approved.

“Don’t hesitate to get involved,” Miller advised. “If I wasn’t there to counter the complaints, I don’t know what would have happened. I have huge files of information, both pro and con, on pesticides. I wanted to turn the attitude to one that getting the lawn done is a good thing, that we’re environmental heroes.