 There is a lot Michigan Republicans should not be saying:
Let’s identify what Republicans should be talking about right now:
Conservatives have these unique and wonderful minds:
We need to get out of our heads and out of our little “Lansing bubble” where everyone assumes the rest of the world cares and knows about what they are doing and address these principles in all forms of communication:
You won’t reach everyone but you will reach a lot of people and those people will turn around and reach others for you. But if you do not communicate, they won’t know and in your absence, they will build a message that will reverberate and hurt you. If Republicans don’t start upping their game NOW they can expect:
“Amy we know how to do communications,” you may say. Okay, then do it. Because what is happening right now is not working. It hasn’t worked for the past 3 + years and it’s time for some world changing messaging champions to rise and equip leaders to know:
*New Note: and if you don't want to win, get out of the political arena because this is what it will take. Come on Republicans, we have the best message. We have amazing leaders. We have incredible facts on our side. We have a state and a nation to save. Your friend, Amy Hawkins
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 If I was running the House or Senate Communications in a state, here is a starting point:
Assign to a staffer: 1. Have a master list of key people: plan to send them a brief run down every week of what is happening - good, bad, the highlights. All emails are bcc’d - it becomes a place that you can give a firm delivery of what is happening. They are encouraged to share the info with others. I.e. you are a form of media and you are delivering what you want out. 2. In your communications (noted in point 1) make it clear WHERE you are publishing info through-out the week: FB, website, etc. Repeat, repeat, repeat, who and where to follow so they know where to look and so they know it will be consistent and something they can count on. 3. Have a list of friendly media contacts and a comprehensive list of media contacts; at least one press release should be going out weekly … 4. Have a list of suggested talking points that go out to the team (legislators every week). 5. Have someone responsible for pitching top leaders on radio interviews weekly. 6. Schedule a weekly LIVE update from some member of the caucus … always smiling, always excited, always talking about what they are doing for Michigan citizens. 7. Publish updates on website, make sure things are up to date, consistently. 8. Identify key grassroots leaders who have massive email lists. Include them on item 1 - and make sure they know you are grateful for them would they share the info. Always have a call to action. 9. Highlight the legislators that ARE communicating. 10. Pretend like we ARE in the majority as far as media goes. YOU call the press conference. YOU run with the story … “This week we want to draw the media’s attention to …” or “This week, we have a list of questions we want the media to ask the democrats …” or “This week we are going to do a round table briefing on the front lawn of the capitol and highlight everything NOT being discussed by Governor Whitmer to us…” or “this week we are going to celebrate law enforcement …” or “this week we are going to do a tour of the state to highlight some of the economic successes going on…” And one bonus tip: Once a month there should be Op Eds that are being run and pitched to publish. I can hear conservatives say “we don’t have the media” … so then build relationships with the media so they WANT TO COME TO YOU … give them intriguing things to cover … build relationships with them. Never assume they hear what you hear or see what you see or know what you know. Communicate more - not less and let it be known that you are communicating. I can also hear legislators saying “we don’t have a big email list” - then make one. These are some of my initial suggestions. I will work to get more out soon. Please note I am still learning too; but I have been studying communications and working in the political arena for over 20 years. I have pitched info to media, been on media, and written content that has hit thousands of inboxes statewide. I have written Press Releases, Op Eds, and am currently studying how to be more effective with media. I want my side and our causes to win. Email me with your top "We want to see Leadership doing ____" suggestions. amy@generationstrategies.com. We have a nation to change! - Amy  Politics has a reputation for being transactional. Candidates, political parties, and campaigns will do aggressive outreach leading up to an election. But when the election is over, win or lose, as soon as the clock ticks past the deadline, it’s a whomping silence.
Where did everyone go? No matter if candidates (or causes) win or lose, there is a psychological threshold that immediately goes into position. To the leaders driving the outreach and momentum, the customer, also known as a voter or constituent, goes back on the shelf. They unconsciously set everyone they have collected, touched, or built relationships with over the past few months aside and will pull them off the shelf again “when we need them next.” I’ve been in the arena for 20 years so I can speak from experience: this is a trend among the political universe and for a profession that is all about people, it stinks. So, I propose we change it but first we need to better understand it.  I’d love to walk into a kitchen, demand a gourmet cake exactly as I envision it and have the chef present it to me within 10 seconds or less. But wishes - like this - are not reality. It is physically impossible but even more-so it belittles the craft, demeans the quality and mocks the artisian’s end product. A one of a kind cake takes time and process.
Or good luck demanding a 5 star tree fort in a snap from a loving father. He loves the child too much to slap something together in a hurry and then say, “go ahead! It’s safe! Have fun!” A strong, reliable, quality fort takes research, calculations, construction, assessment, refining, and patience. To demand anything less speaks more of the requester than it does the item: they are beholden to whims and emotions and not interested in quality or security. They don’t yet understand or value the process that goes into making something of worth and stability. As conservatives, we rejoice in the growing presence of engaged citizens in the civic arena. But many are missing the greatest anchor: the process.  During World War II a realization was made by military leaders: our soldiers don’t know why they are fighting. Philosopher and author Russell Kirk, based in Michigan, was commissioned to write a book: The American Cause.
I believe its origin reminds us of our own responsibility in this hour if we are going to keep the American dream alive and its paradigm for freedom. BACKGROUND Russell Kirk is a founding member of the traditional conservative movement. He was dreaming up another book when he was commissioned to write the American Cause by friend Henry Regenery in 1956.  Conservatives believe in the individual.
Frankly, it would seem that all Americans would agree with this sentiment: an individual has value and that individual American should have the rights and freedoms to do as they see best. So wouldn’t it mean that all Americans should be conservatives?  The “esteemed” Forbes magazine published this article, 7 Reasons Why Millennial Men Are Reinventing Masculinity. It details how masculinity is being recreated, redefined, and reinvented. The idea of men reinventing themselves from warriors to billboards of woke ideology makes me want to weep.
Instead, America needs bold voices to clarify men who embrace virtuous masculinity play an important role in our lives.  (Part 1 - Read here; continue below)
ADDRESSING ESTABLISHMENT One of the other well emphasized categories is “The Establishment.” To a newcomer listening into the conversation of a grassroots criticizing The Establishment they would think it was comparable to the Nazi Regime. Instead it simply means - to many grassroots - those who have been in the political arena for longer than 4:59 minutes and who do not do things according to the grassroots’ wishes. This one is a tricky topic: So much of what is seen and heard out in the marketplace is either false (of what goes on in the inside), mis-understood, not understood with the process, or taken out of context. We hear lots of demonization of “Establishment”. To you and me it grows wearisome and very very old. However, we are leaders, so I suggest we rise above it and change the conversation:  You are leaders in Michigan’s political arena. As you move forward to build the gap between grassroots and the “establishment”, please consider the following talking points for messaging and communication strategies. I implore you. After 20 years of serving in statewide politics, with a passion for good communication, I have observed our side drop the ball in a massive way. But if we can recalibrate from this moment forward, we can make incredible gains for the future.
 There are so many good men and women who serve as Teachers, Administrators, School Board Members, and educational advocates around the state.
In this hour of growing turmoil in the education arena, as more and more parents are realizing what is not being taught in the classroom, seeing first hand the agendas that are being advocated, and speaking up until they are horse to try and get things changed, we cannot overlook the men and women who are doing good on the inside. Though they could be few in comparison to those who have used the system, we must acknowledge the heroes who have stood in the gap and pushed back on this growing monstrosity of Progressive agenda in our education systems.  We forget the influence we have as citizens, taxpayers, parents, and business owners among our elected officials. For too long citizens have abdicated their role as “civic participant” and have lost the understanding of how our system of government works. It is beneficial to our wellbeing to remember: we are a nation of the people, by the people, for the people. And those who sit in local elected offices are there to represent us. So the question should be poised to all Michigan citizens: do your local leaders know where you stand on Law Enforcement?
In Michigan, there are 83 counties and collectively house over 600 County Commissioners. Each County has a board of elected leaders who make decisions on how things should be run in their individual counties. Their votes and decisions influence policies in the Health Departments, how money will be spent on parks and recreations, and to me one of the most important: they determine how well our Law Enforcement are cared for and loved.  There is pain in the arena of civic engagement. It is not all sunshine, lollypops, ease, and convenience. It hurts. It is slow. It gets personal. And at times there are setbacks.
For those who have been involved in the civic process of America for longer than 10 years, you know that there are ebbs and flows but that the high waves will calm down and the calm moments will get high again. You have to pace yourself, and keep your eye on the bigger picture. We are needed now more than ever. We cannot stay away because of the discomfort. We must admit sometimes the pain is worth it if it gets us to a better place. NEW YEAR NEW YOU So as you start this new year, committed to being involved, what are the top 2 things you can do to make a difference?
That’s it.  You have a vision for changing the world. You want to find a new job, or maybe you are just eager to have people show up to a worthy event. You want others to know about your new business, or you want community leaders to understand a crucial issue facing your town. Perhaps you have a new candidate you are excited to promote for the next election, a meeting you want someone to attend, or you just want to get to know more people.
But, how do you do it? How do you meet the right people, get them to listen to you, spread the word, or initiate conversation? You need to network. I’m going to help you understand how.  Imagine one day that voters can say:
“I knew the Republican Party and her leaders really cared about me after engaging with them on social media.” “I learned more about what it means to be a conservative and a Republican by the content they provided on social media.” “I got involved in my local community to make an impact for conservative ideas, because of the resources the GOP provided to me through social media.”  A pioneer looks at history, assesses the moment they are standing in, and ways “what needs to happen in our future.”
But a true pioneer also says “God, what would You have me do now in this hour and time I’m on this earth, with and for You?” Experts will say: that’s not how we do it. Experienced leaders say: it’s never done that way! Wise people say: trust me. I know how. I’ll show you. But I don’t want to let the experts or experienced or wise LEAD me. I want Holy Spirit to lead me and when He says so - to let these sources guide me. I will not use my time on this earth to be a copy cat of anyone else. I will learn from the wise and experienced and I will walk humbly with them and my God. If He says “do the new thing, the new way, rattle their cages and I’ll show the way…” I’ll do it. And I’ll stand in awe of what He will do. And how He will use me. And how the experts too will learn, be blessed, and benefit. Going with God into new territory. Doing what He says even if no one else understands. This is what is right and good and true. That’s what true pioneers do. Holy Spirit lead the way… |
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