CHAPTER PLAYBOOK

Advocacy Chair

Time Commitment: Monthly committee meetings with Government Relations Committee (one hour or less). Plus 2-3 hours per month planning and executing programs/campaigns, etc.  

Term Length: One Year – Option to serve another year with Chapter approval.   

Form a Committee: The Government Relations Committee should include all Local Chapter Advocacy Chairs (if applicable) and geographically diverse member volunteers with established relationships with lawmakers on both state and federal levels. 

Position Responsibilities

• Serve as the Government Relations Committee Chair, as well as the point person between the Committee and Chapter membership.
• Schedule monthly Government Relations Committee meetings and include the Chapter Lobbyist.
• Create and develop committee meeting agendas based on pertinent legislative or regulatory issues or related discussion matters as needed. Ensure any post-meeting follow-up is completed.
• Work closely with the Chapter Lobbyist to monitor legislation, strategize engagement and receive updates related to NAIFA priority issues.
• Coordinate with the Chapter lobbyist and committee members to prepare advocacy materials, such as letters or testimonies, to provide advocacy tools for members.
• Assist with finding NAIFA members to testify at legislative or regulatory hearings as needed.
• Provide state legislative and regulatory updates during State Board of Directors meetings.
• Have a working knowledge of NAIFA Policy and available NAIFA Advocacy resources.
• Coordinate with the NAIFA Government Relations team on existing and emerging policy issues impacting the Chapter to ensure consistent messaging.
• Understand the process of how NAIFA establishes policy stances.
• Promote all Chapter advocacy-related events (State Legislative Days, August In-District Meetings, and/or Regional Advocacy Events, etc.).
• Attend NAIFA Congressional Conference and National Leadership Conference.
• Serve on the Chapter Candidate Selection Group (CSG).
• Encourage Chapter membership to engage with elected lawmakers on both the state and federal level (attend in-district fundraisers, town halls, and other related events).

Retaining a Lobbyist

The State Government Relations Chair will collaborate with the Chapter Executive Director in leading the search to retain a Lobbyist to advocate for the legislative and regulatory priorities of the Chapter. We encourage utilizing the Government Relations Committee in searching of prospective candidates. However, the State Board of Directors will conduct the formal interviews and make the final decision. 

Here are some resources to assist with the Lobbyist recruitment process:

• State Best Practices & Lobbyist Responsibilities (Coming Soon!)
• Model RFP for State Lobbyists
• Sample State Lobbyist Contract

Lead by Example

• Contribute at least $2,500 to IFAPAC annually (or $1,000 annually for Local Advocacy Chair).
• Complete the Financial Security Advocate Academy (FSAA).
• Report any relationships and interactions with state and federal lawmakers in the Advocacy Action Center (AAC).
• Participate in all NAIFA Action Alerts.
• Promote all IFAPAC, GOTV and grassroots campaigns. 

Position Competencies 

• Recruitment
• Decision Making/Strategic Thinking
• Business and Operations Management
• Collaboration
• Project Management
• Conflict Resolution/Problem Solving
• Leadership Development
• Public Speaking/Presenting
• Personal Credibility
• Communication/Engagement
• Adaptability/Flexibility
• Financial Management

NAIFA Staff Contacts

Andrew Holt, Grassroots Director – aholt@naifa.org
Roger Moore, Policy Director – rmoore@naifa.org
Bianca Alonso Weiss, State Government Relations Manager – bweiss@naifa.org

Quick Links

Financial Security Advocate Academy
Advocacy Action Center