Now is the Time for Grassroots Action

Being in business means knowing your elected officials and having them know you and what you stand for. Given the myriad issues we face as a nation and as an industry, there truly is no time like the present to get engaged at the grassroots level. In the current business climate such engagement is not optional!

As state legislatures and county councils and boards begin reconvening, so does activism aimed at eliminating or restricting many of the pesticide and fertilizer products you rely on to get the job done in an effective, safe and economical way. Yet, even in municipalities and states coming close to financial insolvency, we are already seeing adverse legislative proposals that would add significantly to your burden as a business owner while bringing absolutely no added measure of public or environmental health or safety.

The busy season for lawn and landscape professionals is just around the corner, so there is still plenty of time to engage with your local elected officials. Your voice and professionalism must inform the policy debate, so how do you go about beginning to build a constituent relationship?  Consider inviting officials for coffee and a tour of your business, a customer site or visit them in their offices. Thoughtful preparation is essential to a successful meeting – your elected officials may know little or nothing about your industry, practices and issues. Get started by:

• Making an appointment. Remember to identify yourself and your reason for meeting when calling an elected official’s office or requesting an appointment directly with them.
• Preparing for the meeting. Learn a little about your elected official before the meeting, for example which committees and issues they work on and how they vote. Also, visit your professional association’s Web site to gather talking points and information about your industry and its practices or contact RISE for help developing your talking points.
• Keeping the appointment. Introduce yourself and the reason for the meeting – for example, identify yourself as a lawn and landscape professional, local business owner or member of the community with expertise in pesticide and fertilizer use, and the positive contributions made by these products and your services to the environment and community well-being. Remember to be brief and stick to one or two key points, provide supporting material such as a one-page backgrounder or brochure that includes your contact information, and stay within your allotted time.
• Following up. Send a thank you letter to your elected official recapping your key points. Remember this meeting is just the first step in building a long-term relationship and helping to educate your local elected officials about your profession and its benefits and practices.

Building a productive relationship with your elected officials is no different than the relationships you build every day with your customers. Devoting time and energy to such relationships will pay a dividend for you and your operation and ultimately for the entire industry. While spring and the busy season are somewhat in the offing, I urge you to take the first step towards grassroots activism on behalf or your business and your industry.

If you’d like to take a more active grassroots role or if you learn of a proposed ban or restriction impacting your product choice, contact RISE, tel. 202/872-3860 or e-mail kreardon@pestfacts.org.

James is president of RISE – Responsible Industry for a Sound Environment.