at the White House on Thursday morning? All or nearly all of the twenty people in the room raised their hands. The question was further qualified with " I need a small business owner" Hands dropped as the fellow sitting next to me was chosen. Sure enough just two days later, at a Small Business town hall meeting, standing two rows behind Mr. Obama was my colleague. Later that day he emailed all a blow by blow of his trip to the White House.
That trip would have been a huge PR opportunity for my business. Not to mention a once in a lifetime opportunity to meet the President. More importantly, however, is the message it sends to members of the association whose board I sit on. The association at work for you our members. Priceless!
The opportunity for this meeting was the result of hard work and chance. The gentlemen involved have spent their legal careers advocating for small businesses in the halls of Congress. They represent several professional associations (guilds) and keep us in the know regarding pending legislative issues. The Obama administration and his Democratic friends are shaking up Washington in many ways.
More importantly, for anyone dealing with Legislative issues, is to know the power of "grass roots" initiatives in dealing with Congress. Many groups have mobilized their communities via the Internet to "persuade" their elected officials so as to impact an outcome. "We the people" can work! It's not just the lobbyists.
