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ARTICLES for the always curious and continual learners

How to read one book per week–even if you read slowly.

CQ/Roll Call’s 2026 Congressional Calendar

Three Digital Trends Reshaping Grassroots Advocacy

Beekeeper Group’s 2025 Day of Purpose was a chance to honor my friend and industry insider, Hanah Levy’s memory by carrying on the tradition she initiated to give back.  Through a partnership with the DC Central Kitchen we prepped food for local distribution.

9 Things to Know about the Proposed SAVE Act and how the law could affect how prospective voters register and how state voter registration processes could be preempted

Congratulations to the Public Affairs Council’s 2025 Advocacy Innovation Award Winners, including my friend @Seth Turner from the National Apartment Association.

Election: What Happened and What’s Next after 2024 Elections?
(Inside Elections with Nathan Gonzales)

Election Results: Status Quo in the States Despite GOP Gains in DC
(National Conference of State Legislators)

Congratulations to The Advocacy Association’s Top 20 in 2024 awardees!
(The Advocacy Association)

 

ARCHIVE

National Voter Education Week: Great ideas to share with your audience! #YourVoiceMatters #YourVoteIsYour Voice

Grassroots Survey: Participate in the first of-its-kind survey

Grassroots category winners of 2024 Campaigns and Elections’ REED AWARD
(click on Grassroots Advocacy in left-hand column to jump there)

Forbes: Seven Ways to Bring the ‘Back to School’ Mindset to ‘Back to Work’

GOTV resources: 

iFarmiVote

National Voter Registration Civic Toolbox

Events/opportunities to meet and foster relationships with other advocacy professionals

2026
Jan 26-29, 2026 Public Affairs Council’s Advocacy Conference
Phoenix, AZ
Details/Registration HERE

March 2-5, 2026 The National PAC Conference
Tampa, FL
Details HERE

 

ARCHIVE highlights

2025
Nov 18, 2025 WASRG Inside the Dome IRL
Washington, DC
Details HERE

Oct 2, 2025 The Advocacy Association’s Top 20 in 2025 Awards
Washington, DC
Register HERE

Sept 18-19, 2025 Women in Government Relations’ Leadership & Advocacy Conference
Washington, DC
Details HERE

July 30-Aug 1, 2025 Buzz Advocacy Summit
Annapolis, MD
Details HERE

February 2-5, 2025 Public Affairs Council’s Advocacy Conference
Ft Lauderdale, FL
Details/Registration HERE

 

2024

Nov 12 WASRG Inside the Dome IRL
Signal House (Union Market) Washington, DC
https://www.wasrg.com/event-5843282

Nov 5 the advocacy coach & PAC PALs ‘ Election Night Virtual Watch Party

Oct  29 WASRG Boos and Brews
Home Depot offices, Washington, DC
https://www.wasrg.com/event-5842593

Oct 17 ASAE PAC Reception honoring Susan Neely
(click here to learn about Susan’s impact)
Washington, DC
https://www.asaecenter.org/donation

Sept 24-25 Women In Government Relations’ Leadership and Advocacy Conference
Washington, DC
See the recap video from the event.

Sept 17 National Voter Registration Day
Check out  this site for FREE resources your organization can use to spread the word for NVRD and the lead-up to election day!
https://nationalvoterregistrationday.org/partner-resources/

 

My picks for groups doing great things in advocacy, how they can strengthen your advocacy game, and why I think you should consider engaging. From free programming and networking to larger time and financial investment, these organizations provide wide and diverse opportunities. Gain resources, engage with a strong network, hone leadership skills, and/or give back. I’m sure there is something here to fit your budget and ‘personal training and professional development’ needs!

 

American Society of Association Executives (ASAE): If you work for an association you don’t want to overlook this group of over 50,000 members representing ~7,500 associations! With a strong community and subgroups for curated connections and content, ASAE is a great value! Serves both national and state associations with a wide array of interests and job roles.  

https://www.asaecenter.org/resources

 

National Institute of Lobbying and Ethics: For lobbyists. Events, networking and certificate program.  Individual, small firm and large firm membership options.

https://www.lobbyinginstitute.com/

 

PAC Pals (no website): Free and fun crowd-sourced group of PAC professionals.  Socials let you post jobs, ask questions, find networking events, and engage with smaller ad-hoc groups (fundraisers, health PACs, first Friday and first Thursday coffee and lunch groups, etc.)!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/pacpals/

https://www.linkedin.com/groups/4010753/

 

Public Affairs Council: Top-tier, signature industry events; annual research reports and surveys; job boards; access to experts; networking, Political Involvement Network community. I personally love their optional Membership+ program that allows your entire organization to participate in tons of online programs for one price!

https://pac.org/

 

The Advocacy Association: A mash-up of three networking organizations (GAIN, GPN and ALN) TAA offers free and low-cost advocacy programming and networking. TAA’s 20 in 2024 annual awards program recognizes up-and-coming and veteran advocacy stars. 

https://advocacyassociation.org/

 

Washington Area State Relations Group (WASRG or AKA ‘washrag’) Originally designed for DMV-based practitioners who work on state government relations.  Monthly “inside the dome” online programming that brings state leaders to the table for off-the-record, candid conversations, plus fun outings, and networking opportunities. 

https://www.wasrg.com/

 

Women in Government Relations (WGR) If you work in government relations and want a strong network of women mentors, supporters, and friends, join WGR.  Many leadership opportunities in the volunteer-led issue task forces and committees await . Signature events connect the women of GR with officials and an array of access, learning and professional development options. 

https://www.wgr.org/