Pub. 3 Issue 1

formerly these problems, extracting the most important parts and deciding how to maximize results, and then giving that information to those who are interested. The process can be both efficient and reliable. The result is predictable. People who are informed and know they can make a difference are much more likely to work with you in their votes than people who are apathetic and unprepared. 3. Grassroots organizations train future leaders. When someone gets involved on a grassroots level, it can some- times become obvious that they have the ability, the intel- ligence, and the willingness to do more and be more. As people provide service through a grassroots organization, it’s not uncommon for them to be noticed and then to be given additional opportunities. Once you decide to put the efforts of your association into a grassroots campaign, there are some things you need to understand: • A grassroots campaign is not something that can be man- aged from the top down. You can influence the people who are involved, but you cannot manage them. There has to be genuine interest on the part of all participants or it isn’t going to work. • It is not only possible to inspire grassroots participants; it’s necessary. This is done through an intelligent and sensible appeal. To be persuasive, you have to be honest. When your honesty is combined with a persuasive argu- ment, you can communicate with others and gain their support. • Those who organize a grassroots campaign are respon- sible for providing resources to those who are doing the actual work. These resources should make it possible for grassroots participants to be able to see the meaningful work that needs to be done. People want their contribu- tions to be meaningful, but the most meaningful contri- butions of all are the ones they have selected personally. • The grassroots participants should be encouraged to act as leaders and to make their own initiatives, with leader- ship being provided by other grassroots participants who have more experience. One excellent idea is to come up with written guidelines about how to work together col- lectively. These guidelines have to be sensible, and they also have to be respectful, or they will be disregarded. If you want your dealership to become more influential and effective on the political front as well as the business front, it will be necessary to find people within your association, edu- cate them, and give them the opportunities they need. As they serve in grassroots organizations, it will be natural for them to grow and progress. Having a community voice and being empowered to make a difference in the issues you care about is important work. That work starts with involving yourself and your association in grassroots organizations. 