Pub. 1 2019-20 Issue 2

http://wvcar.com 8 WVADA C ivic engagement is not just about voting: It is also about what happens in between elections. Any- one interested in any sort of activism should focus on political grassroots because the opportunities there can transform government on every level, from city government to federal government and everything in between. Why is grassroots activism effective? It’s simple. That’s where you can cause the most change. If you are like most people, you may hesitate to get involved because many people are uncomfortable with any partici- pation in politics on any level, even just a local level, and for many reasons that range from the belief that change is hope- less from disillusionment with the politicians themselves. However, if enough people decided to make a difference, isn’t it reasonable to think they could elevate the day-to- day interactions that define politics? The truth is that pol- itics are a necessary part of modern life. We rely on each other to talk and get the things done in our neighborhoods, cities, states, and country. When it comes to politics, acting sooner is better than later. The earlier you head-off prob- lems, the easier they are to solve. Neglect the problems, though, and they only get worse. There are three reasons you should consider grassroots activ- ities within trade associations: 1. They are effective. Few people participate in the political process, so those who do take part have more influence than they would have otherwise because they have increased ac- cess to those who are in leadership positions already. You can often find politicians who are involved with grassroots organi- zations. It’s only natural for them to recognize the importance of such organizations, and to listen to what these organiza- tions have to say. 2. They do a good job of educating voters. By informing other people about important issues, it becomes easier to involve those others about making changes. Most people suffer from information clutter — there is simply too much going on for people to be able to thoughtfully consider every piece of in- formation that comes their way, and it can also be hard to know who to trust. A grassroots organization can solve these problems, extracting the most important parts and deciding where effort can be made to maximize results, and then give that information to those who are interested. The result? Peo- ple who are informed and know they can make a difference are much more likely to vote than people who are apathetic because they are unprepared. 3. Grassroots organizations train future leaders. When some- one gets involved at a grassroots level, it can sometimes be- come obvious that they have the ability, the intelligence, and the willingness to do more and be more. As people provide service through a grassroots organization, it’s not uncommon for them to be noticed and then given additional opportuni- ties. If people who have the capacity to be leaders are going to become more influential and effective, it will be necessary to find them, educate them, and give them the opportunities they need. As they serve in grassroots organizations, it will be natural for them to grow and progress. Having a community voice and being empowered to make a difference in the issues you care about is important work. That work starts with in- volving yourself in grassroots organizations. WVADA offers many ways for you to engage and offer your support on public policy issues that directly impact you. Our association is committed to promoting an economic and le- gal climate conducive to a robust business environment for all our members. t Grassroots Activism