BLOG for ADVOCATES

We created this blog to share interesting advocacy related items that cross our desks. It can be anything from new research on funding for advocacy to examples of unusual advocacy strategies. If you have an item to share please send it to npaction@npaction.org.
NPAction Staff

Wednesday, January 07, 2009

"Change" Is All Encompassing

In mid Dec. 2008 an editorial in the Washington Post charged that "Obama's ambitions for more expansive government will promote special pleading," and therefore an increase in special interest corporate lobbying. In response Larry Ottinger, President of Center for Lobbying in the Public Interest, wrote a letter to the editor, redirecting this argument.

The Enron, Halliburton and mortgage lending scandals, to name just a few, are evidence of a systemic problem that urgently needs to be solved through reforms of campaign finance, conflict-of-interest laws and other facets of democracy. By prioritizing the "general welfare" over a financial bottom line, public-interest lobbyists of all stripes play a distinct role in our democracy. Now more than ever, charities and their constituents need to be embraced as equal partners with government and business at the policy table.

Ottinger delved into this subject more targeting nonprofits in Alliance Magazine, calling on those in the sector to become "change agents," recognizing that our country's history "demonstrates that transformational changes require grass-roots organizing, public education and direct lobbying."

As we organize, let us remember that nonprofits are the best vehicles for civic engagement and that civic engagement includes nonpartisan organizing, education, policy and voting by our constituents and the public at large. If we think of service and advocacy as the two wheels of our high-performing bicycle, we know that we won't get far without one of our wheels.

"We have a precious opportunity today to leverage federal resources to greatly expand national service programs and build the capacity of charitable organizations. It will take increased, effective grass-roots organizing and direct lobbying efforts to make this a priority and to make it so."