Advocacy: “An Act of Pleading For or Giving Verbal Support to a Cause”

Advocacy is why NUCA came to fruition some 40 years ago. While NUCA has grown in that time and today, provides its members with a host of benefits the founders only dreamed of, NUCA is still fighting the battle. NUCA has a mission, and that mission is fight unduly regulations and increase funding into infrastructure programs that will keep this country strong, independent and healthy.

My personal mission is to encourage, persuade and fight tooth and nail for your involvement this year at the Washington Summit. Congress is in disarray and I believe they finally hit a brick wall and are beginning to listen to their constituency. We are that constituency!

This organization can help Congress find its direction. You, and only you, can tell Congress the needs of this country. Why it is so important today to increase funding into infrastructure? We know that project funding will immediately create jobs. We know how clean water is important to the health of the American people.

And we know that by investing America’s future, our country will receive a long, lasting return on that investment.
It’s tough right now and spending a $1,000 to $1,500 is a tremendous amount to go speak personally to your senators and representatives. This is an investment in you and your company’s future. The goal here is to hit the Hill in force.

It’s important for you to at least fly in Monday afternoon, sit in on the legislative briefing and meet with your congressional groups Tuesday. After that, you’re back to your business on Wednesday.

NUCA will provide the talking points and information prior to the legislative briefing, so that you’ll have time to bone up on the issues and be confident when debating the issues with your congressional leaders. Odds are, you already receive the bi-monthly bulletin, the Washington Report, from Eben Wyman and Ben Gann briefing you on all the issues. This is a great source of information. Congress will sit up, listen and take notice if you show up with 20 or 30 constituents by your side.

The Washington Summit is May 17-19. Start making your reservations now.

On another note, we held our first formal and successful conference call with all of the Executive Directors and Chapter Presidents. During our hour-long meeting, we discussed what chapters are doing regarding retention and recruitment of members. The innovation and commitment from our Chapter Executive Directors and Presidents is nothing less than awe-inspiring. I encourage you all to follow their leadership. Get out there and personally talk to the members and prospective members. Include non-members in committees, so that they’ll see the value of membership. Talk with them about advocacy, both local and national. Attend your meetings and set the example. And don’t forget that NUCA has all the information you need to encourage your peer group to be involved. Together, we’re going t
     Dan East
     NUCA Chairman oo make a difference this year!

Get involved, be involved.

Looking forward to seeing you in Washington,

f the Board