Grassroots Advocacy and GSCPA

Google the term “grassroots advocacy,” and you will find many results that all attempt to define the term, and many of these definitions are specific to the organization providing them. However, dive deeper into who grassroots advocates are, what these advocates do, and how they are lawfully protected; that’s where I believe you find the truest definition of “grassroots advocacy.”

A grassroots advocate can be a citizen and general member of the public, a member of a profession, or a professional lobbyist whose business it is to help groups or individuals influence legislation. Generally speaking, grassroots advocates all have the same goal – lobbying on a particular topic. The goal is to educate elected officials and, through this education, provide either a point or counter point to a piece of legislation that has been filed.

Grassroots advocacy is lawfully protected in two ways, and both are found in the first amendment to the U.S. Constitution. First is the freedom of speech, which protects citizens, members of a profession and lobbyists from being silenced with regard to providing comments and expertise to elected officials. Second is the right of the people (citizen, member of profession and lobbyist) to petition their government for a redress of grievances (for or against change). This right to petition for or against change is the very foundation on which advocacy efforts and grassroots advocacy campaigns are launched. As an advocate of the CPA profession and a GSCPA member whose goal is to educate elected officials, this is who you are – grassroots advocates.

The grassroots advocates of the The Georgia Society of CPAs play a key role in raising the awareness of GSCPA and the value of its members as available resources to elected officials among the Georgia General Assembly. Heading the call as an advocate can be as simple as an offer to serve as a resource, or when necessary, answering the “call to action” on a letter writing campaign or contacting your local elected officials directly. As CPAs, you are uniquely qualified to serve as non-partisan resources. CPAs can offer the legislature unique insight into the potential impact a bill may have since CPAs work very closely with, and have intimate knowledge of, the community at large.

The Georgia Society’s commitment to legislative involvement is critical to the future of your profession in Georgia. CPAs working with their legislators and keeping them aware of key issues remains an important cornerstone of this involvement. You have 2 key opportunities to contribute to GSCPA’s legislative involvement as a grassroots advocate:

Contribute to the GSCPA-PAC

The GSCPA-PAC is a voluntary political action committee that allows GSCPA members to unite their financial resources to support elected officials who understand and appreciate the value of the CPA profession and its importance to the business environment and the public when drafting and passing legislation and regulation. The GSCPA-PAC is a legal, ethical and effective way to involve The Georgia Society in the political process.

The GSCPA-PAC plays an important role in enhancing GSCPA’s ability to remain visible and actively interact with key legislators. Contributing to the GSCPA-PAC is one of the easiest and most effective ways for CPAs to get involved in the political process and have an impact on the CPA profession.

Become a Key Person

GSCPA’s Key Person Program is a vital component to GSCPA’s advocacy efforts, getting Georgia CPAs involved in grassroots action at the state level. Key Persons are those CPAs who are willing to contact their legislator to discuss issues affecting the CPA profession. GSCPA Key Person responsibilities include:

  • Representing the profession to individual state legislators
  • Utilizing your personal, constituent relationship with legislators based on mutual trust and respect
  • Responding immediately to “action alerts” from GSCPA to contact legislators on specific issues
  • Reinforcing your constituent relationship with legislators by regularly communicating about professional issues that may be of interest to him or her
  • Being aware of pending legislation that affects the profession and to be prepared to discuss the impact on your practice, your clients, and the local community
  • Attending political fundraising events for GSCPA-PAC when requested
  • Attending GSCPA’s legislative receptions when requested
  • Building community understanding and support for the profession and its position on the issues
  • Sharing information and feedback with GSCPA that is useful in developing legislative strategy and achieving our goals

The Georgia Society is committed to protecting and promoting the highly regarded CPA credential and profession. GSCPA works to not only ensure the profession remains at the pinnacle of the business community and also that the public understands the true and unique value that CPAs provide. Our effectiveness at the Capitol depends heavily on CPAs being involved in all areas of grassroots advocacy. With active involvement from our grassroots advocates we can ensure that our voices are heard and the CPA profession in Georgia is well represented.

Questions?

For more information on these as well as other legislative matters, please contact Don Cook, Vice President, Legislative Affairs at (404) 504-2935 or dcook@gscpa.org or visit www.gscpa.org.