Lansing Summit Showcases Impact of Local United Way Advocacy
United way of montcalm-ionia counties lauded for consistently engaging and educating public officials
When we own the value that we bring to our communities, and when we use that to inform the public officials who represent us about what ALICE households need, we can catalyze tremendous developments in public policy that enable local United Ways, our partners, and the people we serve to thrive.
This is the core idea behind my position as the Director of ALICE and Public Policy at the Michigan Association of United Ways. Last week, I saw how local United Ways, as educators and conveners of community leaders, contributed to the enactment of $50 million in relief funds from the State of Michigan to the nonprofit sector during the COVID pandemic.
At the Michigan Nonprofit Association's Nonprofit Day at the Capitol, a former state legislator spoke about how her knowledge of her local United Way’s efforts in her community made her very eager to listen when her United Way leadership approached her about championing the establishment of a Michigan Nonprofit Relief Fund.
“Local United Ways, as educators and conveners of community leaders, contributed to the enactment of $50 million in relief funds from the State of Michigan to the nonprofit sector.”
“They were proactive,” former State Representative Julie Calley said, referring to both the United Way of Montcalm – Ionia Counties, whose President & CEO Terri Legg was also a panelist, and the Barry County United Way. “They reached out. So, when the time came when I was looking for something to do, I was already a fan.” Former Rep. Calley explained that for years, when fundraising drives and other service programs happened locally, the Rep. was invited, along with local officials, to see and take part in the work themselves. They had consistent opportunities to see and join in important service activities in their community.
Terri leads a United Way with no staff to dedicate to "advocacy". Like every other United Way, she must hustle year-round to build champions and dollars for the work her community needs.
“The best way you can help me is to tell me what you’re doing.”
Terri herself would tell you that she doesn't have a "policy" mindset - she told me she has a sales mindset. "If you can make people's lives easier, they will work with you." All she does at the United Way of Montcalm – Ionia Counties is extend this mindset to include her public officials.
Rep. Calley confirmed this: "The best way you can help me is to tell me what you're doing".
We make legislators’ lives easier by educating them about community needs and how potential solutions would – or would not – make an impact in their community.
The return for local United Ways extends beyond policy change for our communities – the work can lead to future board members and future donations and campaign co-chairs after officials retire from public life.
I've met with many local United Ways so far in my three months on the job. I've seen this mindset described in different ways - call it "sales", "showing up," "hustle mentality", whatever you want – and I’ve seen how many local United Ways already apply this mindset to building relationships with public officials.
And I look forward to working, however I can, to help your United Way grow as a trusted voice to public officials and advocate for ALICE households in ever-more robust, effective, and lasting ways.