There’s no getting around the fact that change is difficult. It’s challenging to change someone’s mind or opinion. Imagine the difficulty in getting a group of legislators to change a law or political stance. Auto dealers have the power to advocate for a better industry. The effects can make a huge difference to your teams, local communities, state or even at times on a national level.
In advocacy, especially when it comes to protecting and promoting the interests of auto dealers, two terms often come up: grassroots and grasstops advocacy. They sound similar, but they play very different roles.
Grasstops vs. Grassroots
Most people have likely heard of grassroots advocacy. This is a method of advocacy that involves recruiting ordinary people to combine their voices. The emphasis here is on the quantity of voices. Maybe you’ve donated to the NADA PAC or signed a petition to fight a bill. These efforts are significant, but sometimes, advocacy needs to go a step further. That’s where grasstops advocacy comes in.
Grasstops advocacy involves individuals engaging directly with decision makers. This method relies on the quality of voices to bring about change. Have you ever personally picked up the phone to call a key legislator about an issue affecting our dealerships? Did they answer? That begs the question: How can we do better at engaging at that higher level?
Grasstops advocates bring credibility, strategic influence and access — and often help open doors that grassroots advocates can walk through. A grasstops advocacy strategy isn’t just for lobbyists. In fact, as auto dealers, we are uniquely positioned to be grasstop advocates. We are community anchors, employers and, often, well-connected individuals. Grasstops advocacy taps into this influence to help shape policy outcomes from the top down. It’s about using your voice, your relationships and your credibility as an auto dealer to make a direct impact.
Why it Matters
A multitude of regulatory or legislative issues affect dealers, such as EV mandates, franchise laws and tax policies.
In addition, it’s no secret that legislators have packed inboxes and receive many phone calls. Cultivating a relationship with a legislator can help your chances of having your email opened and your voice heard.
Picture this: It’s the legislative session. A legislator is receiving a high volume of emails and calls. Everyone wants to talk to them, meet with them, and be heard. The legislator opens his or her email and scrolls through the names. A familiar name stands out. The legislator opens the email from the individual they know — in this case, you — thus marking the winner of the legislator’s attention.
This is a classic scenario reflecting a simple truth: The attention of someone in power will be caught first by a familiar name. This is why grasstops advocacy is so effective. You want the lawmakers to know your name and your story, so your voice can be heard and your cause can be advanced.
How to Build a Grasstops Strategy
Knowing where to start when it comes to a grasstops approach to advocacy can be intimidating. You may feel like you don’t have the time to make a difference, or maybe you’re uncomfortable reaching out to lawmakers and afraid of pushback.
The easiest approach is to view the process as actionable steps.
- Map Your Network: Identify any relationships or connections you have with local, state or federal officials. You may have more connections than you think.
- Grow Your Network: Put yourself in situations to create relationships with individuals in the industry. Visit lawmakers, make connections and let those connections lead to more.
- Engage Regularly: It’s important to regularly make contact with your network of legislators. You can achieve this by calling them a few times a month, interacting on social media, hosting events or inviting them to visit your dealership.
- Tell Your Story: When talking to legislators, you want them to remember you and your story. Personalizing the relationship and showing them why you care about your dealership, the industry, and what is happening on the legislative front can help them understand your point of view and, in turn, help.
Conclusion
Grasstops advocacy is a powerful tool that more association members need to use. By crafting personal relationships with legislators, we can effectively fight for our industry.
Grassroots and grasstops advocacy strategies should be used in tandem to champion our industry effectively. Grassroots efforts provide the quantity through widespread public engagement, while grasstops deliver the quality by leveraging the power of an influential individual to shape decision-maker perspectives. Together, they create a balanced and powerful approach that combines broad support with strategic influence.
Remember, it just takes one dealer with the right connection to make all the difference. So, take the first step. Start a conversation, attend a legislative event, or contact the association about getting involved.
