Voices in Advocacy Podcast

Nine years ago, life threw our next guest a curve ball when she learned during her pregnancy that her baby would be born with a facial birth defect. Come with us as we learn about her fascinating journey that has led her to help other families by speaking out as an author and advocate. ABOUT the GUEST Amy Mendillo, MM, MPP, is a writer, author, and advocate. She has worked as a consultant on state-level (RI) Medicaid and social service issues, an advocate for local- and city-level policy, and as a writer-editor for the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association. She holds a Master of Public Policy from Brown University.  Amy started as a professional classical musician, studying oboe at the Oberlin Conservatory and Northwestern University. Described as “prodigious” by the Chicago Tribune, Amy played in professional symphony orchestras in Chicago, Milwaukee, and New York City, then taught music at Brown University for ten years. A proud cleft parent and adoptive parent, Amy lives with her family in Providence, RI.   Thank you to our sponsor: Rap Index, tell them Roger sent you. https://www.rapindex.com   This podcast is dedicated to the art of advocacy. Contact Voices In Advocacy at: www.VoicesinAdvocacy.com 480 488-9150 At Voices in Advocacy, we work with organizations that want to inspire, educate, engage, and activate their supports to become even better effective, influential advocates.

Join us as we explore the importance of advocating with today’s guest - the Director of Advocacy Engagement for the well-known organization – who is committed to supporting policies and initiatives that make a positive impact on the lives of children and adults living with neuromuscular diseases.

Today we speak to the leader of an organization that has received more than $250 million dollars voluntarily from the nation’s leading distillers to fight drunk driving and underage drinking and promote responsible decisions about beverage alcohol. Stay tuned as we learn about their dedication to advocacy.    ABOUT the GUEST Chris Swonger serves as the President & CEO of both the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS) and Responsibility.org. Responsibility.org was founded in 1991 and has received more than $250 million dollars voluntarily from the nation’s leading distillers to fight drunk driving and underage drinking and promote responsible decisions about beverage alcohol. DISCUS is the leading voice for distilled spirits in the U.S. market and serves as the industry’s advocate in state capitals, the nation’s capital and foreign capitals around the globe. Chris has extensive experience guiding corporations to lead in business while playing a positive role in communities through proactive engagement. In this capacity, Chris focuses on breaking down the traditional barriers that exist between corporations, non-government organizations and activist groups by facilitating consensus-based outcomes which are deliverable, actionable and measurable. A native Texan, Chris received his bachelor’s degree from Texas Tech University and lives in McLean, Virginia, with his wife Amy and their two sons Holden and Beckett Boone. Chris’ favorite drink? Bourbon on the rocks.   Thank you to our sponsor: Rap Index, tell them Roger sent you. https://www.rapindex.com   This podcast is dedicated to the art of advocacy. Contact Voices In Advocacy at: www.VoicesinAdvocacy.com 480 488-9150 At Voices in Advocacy, we work with organizations that want to inspire, educate, engage, and activate their supports to become even better effective, influential advocates.

Today we speak to the leader of an organization that empowers young adults to advocate for higher education, health care, and economic policies.

Whistleblowers have been at the top of the news lately. Today’s special guest is the founder of the leading nonprofit dedicated to protecting and rewarding whistleblowers around the world. You do not want to miss this episode as we explore the importance of advocating for stronger whistleblower protection laws and educating the public about whistleblowers’ critical role in protecting democracy and the rule of law.

Today’s guest is the Grassroots and Constituent expert for the well-known organization - whose mission is to honor and empower wounded warriors. Join us as we explore the importance of advocating for our wounded servicemen and women.

Today we speak to Adam Perle the CEO of an ArtPride New Jersey that is the influential, unified voice of the vibrant creative arts community in New Jersey.

Our guest today is a farmer, and not just any farmer, Chris Hoffman is the President of the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau and a member of the Board of Directors at the American Farm Bureau Federation. Join us as we explore the importance of advocating for our nation’s food supply, after all its what’s for dinner.

Today we speak with the Chair of the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Agriculture, Congressman ’GT’ Thompson. As we learn more about the FARM Bill and the importance of constituent engagement.

In the United States of America what could be more important than our freedom? One of our most precious freedoms is our ability to cast a ballot, to vote.

Today we speak to the CEO of an organization that is the influential, unified voice of the travel and tourism industry in California, which supports 1.22 million jobs and $12.2 billion in state and local taxes. Stay tuned as we learn about their advocacy efforts for the California travel industry.

Need an MBA?  How Cattlemen’s Beef group provides the Masters of Beef Advocacy. Today we speak the Director of Grassroots Advocacy and Spokesperson Development for an organization that began in 1898 representing the largest segment of the nation’s food and fiber industry. Stay tuned as we learn about their advocacy efforts for more than 1,000,000 cattle farmers and ranchers.

What is Too Much or Too Little to Have in Your Legislation? This and many more fabulous advocacy tips are shared as we speak with the CEO of an organization that defends and protects the ecosystem beneficial to the success of wheat growers in the United States, The National Association of Wheat Growers.

Today we speak an advocate who has been engaged as a national leader of an organization that has over 760,000 members with over 8800 chapters. It is among the largest youth organizations and the largest career and technical student organization in the United States. The National FFA Organization, known to many as the Future Farmers of America.

Today we speak the Executive Director of Government Affairs for an organization has 26 affiliated state associations representing 30 soybean producing states. Stay tuned as we learn about their advocacy efforts for more than 500,000 soybean farmers.

Do you know what 340B program is? If you said no, you are not alone. Today we speak with the National Advocacy Manager of Community Voices 340B. Come with me as we learn more.

Today’s guest represents the developers, manufacturers, formulators and distributors of plant science solutions for agriculture and pest management in the United States. Come with me as we learn more.

Normally this podcast is dedicated to the art of advocacy. Today the show is dedicated to the act of advocacy. Today’s show is an editorial on gun violence in light of the all too familiar recent events. This is an editorial by Roger Rickard, the opinions expressed our those of the host.

Our guest began on the family farm growing cotton, tobacco, watermelon, and peanuts. He rose from Legislative Specialist to Chief Administrative Officer, how this farm bureau executive understands the value of quality advocacy.

This trade group which is 125 years old and has more than 1,000 member companies is the leading organization in North America advancing construction and agriculture equipment manufacturers in the global marketplace while using some unique programing to achieve their advocacy goals.

This organization has over 760,000 members with over 8800 chapters. It is among the largest youth organizations and the largest career and technical student organization in the United States. Today we speak with the Advocacy and Literacy Officer of the National FFA Organization, known to many as the Future Farmers of America.

On today’s show we talk with a distinguished professor of communications at the highly esteemed Carnegie Mellon University on the topic of Storytelling – which is recognized as an important component to a successful advocates’ meeting with elected officials. We speak with Ed Barr, Communications Coach for select master’s students at Carnegie Mellon University located in Pittsburgh, PA.

You can see the signs of advocacy success - especially locally, as we talk with the Vice President of Advocacy for the International Sign Association, Mr. David Hickey.

The power of storytelling in the face of personal tragedy. We speak with Julie Walker of the Peyton Walker Foundation. In 2013, life threw her a huge curve ball with the tragic and unexpected death of her 19-year-old daughter. Her response to this devastating tragedy was to dust herself off and immediately launch a nonprofit foundation to keep what happened to her daughter from ever happening again to any parent.

America’s Brightest Students Create Life Transforming Technolgies for Our Country’s Wounded Heros. A fascinating look at the work behind the Quality of Life Plus program and how they advocate daily for veterans, first responders and others that serve our community.

Best of 2021: We look back on this memorable interview with Mary Kate Cunningham of the American Society of Association Executives. Find out how ASAE and their members play an important role in how associations make America stronger.

Best of 2021: We look back on this memorable interview with Gail Adams of International Association of Geophysical Contractors. Gail comes with extensive high level Washington DC experience and during this interview she explains advocacy as an art and discusses what one needs to know about a person’s real advocacy why.

Best of 2021: We look back on this memorable interview with Cody Lyon of the American Farm Bureau where among the many items we discussed is his advocacy work in defending and protecting the family farm.  Cody is the Managing Director of Advocacy and Political Affairs programs with the American Farm Bureau Federation.

Best of 2021: We look back on this memorable interview with former U.S. Senator from Alaska, Mark Begich. Mark and I got together back in April and among the many items we discussed was how does an elected official make policy decisions when they are pulled in many directions.

On today’s show we speak with a grassroots advocacy expert whose organization created a Member Activation Program (MAP) that has sent over 4 million advocacy emails in its first 2 years. Now that is some advocacy production.

On today’s show we have the creator of the U.S. Chamber’s Women Taking the Lead initiative, Ashley Wilson. This important major advocacy initiative brings together high-performing women leaders in business and in government to solve critical problems and advance a growing network of leaders at the VP-level and above. Today our guest is a recognized voice on women in leadership.

Roger Rickard believes in advocacy and believes in the right of each and every American citizen to be an advocate, in fact, it is our role and responsibility to participate in our form of self-government. Catch up on his advocacy reflections this Thanksgiving. Roger is the Founder & President of Voices in Advocacy®, author of 7 Actions of Highly Effective Advocates, and host of the Voices In Advocacy podcast.

Promoting Better Health – Voices for Kidney Health Advocacy Campaign. Our interview with Matthew Fitting, Director of Grassroots Advocacy at the National Kidney Foundation.

Advocacy Success Delivered by Multiple Touch-points with State Legislators. Our conversation with Zach Shamberg, CEO of the Pennsylvania Health Care Association (PHCA).

The Vital Nature of Cultivating Meaningful Relationships between Advocates and Members of Congress. Our conversation with Meghan Cruz, Director of Grassroots Advocacy at the National Retail Federation. Meghan is part of the team that was awarded the 2021 Reed Award for Grassroots Trade Association of the Year given by Campaigns and Elections.

On this episode we speak with Davon Gray, Senior Director of Advocacy Capacity Development at The American Institute of Architects, where he is build grassroots champions that empower their voices.

On today‘s episode we speak with Jon Hoffman, Senior Director of Government Affairs for Food Allergy Research and Education known as FARE. FARE is the worlds largest non-governmental organization focus on life threating food allergies.

In this episode, Amanda Karhuse shares how the National Association of Secondary School Principals works to protect the interests of its members and for the good of students and parents.

wanted to take this time to share a brief update. Some of you have been asking where the show has been for a few weeks.  We took a some needed personal time to recharge and refresh. As well as to set up our lineup of outstanding upcoming guests from people that know advocacy.

Destination Relevancy 365: Why Advocating for the Destination is Good for All in the Community. A look at the advocacy work of Destinations International and their Chief Advocacy officer, Jack Johnson.

In this episode we speak with Laura Brigandi to learn about the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN), their outreach to community volunteers by having them engage in grassroots advocacy and tell their personal stories.

In this episode, Gail Adams, Vice President of Communications and External Affairs for the International Association of Geophysical Contractors explains advocacy as an art and discusses that one needs to know what is a persons real why. Gail has more than 20 years of experience in the environment and natural resources public policy arena and working with states and local government. She has more than 30 years’ experience in public affairs, non-profit organizations, and governmental affairs. She is the former Director of the Office of Intergovernmental and External Affairs (OIEA) for the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI), Immediate Office of the Secretary. Her responsibilities were to establish and maintain relationships between the Department of the Interior and Governors, state and local elected officials and the more than 6000 stakeholders and organizations that represent interests related to DOI. Prior to her appointment, Gail served as the Governmental Affairs Officer for the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill on loan from FEMA to the U.S. Coast Guard. Gail received the Coast Guard Distinguished Service Award, the highest public recognition given by the Commandant of the Coast Guard for her work on the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill. As the Oil Spill Governmental Affairs Officer, Gail oversaw Intergovernmental Affairs, Congressional Affairs, the Non-Governmental Organization Interaction Unit, VIP and International visits as well as some aspects of Community Relations for the entire Gulf Coast. She also served as the governmental affairs advisor to the three Coast Guard Federal On-Scene Coordinators as a member of their Command Staff for the response. She is the former Director of the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs, Department of External Affairs for FEMA’s Louisiana Transitional Recovery Office headquartered in New Orleans.  As the IGA Director, Gail headed intergovernmental operations for Louisiana offices for Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, Gustav and Ike. Gail also coordinated all foreign delegation meetings coming to Louisiana to learn lessons of response and recovery efforts. Gail is a former television news anchor and radio personality. She is also a certified grants writer. Adams is a graduate of Louisiana State University. Thank you to our sponsor: Rap Index, tell them Roger sent you. https://www.rapindex.com   This podcast is dedicated to the art of advocacy. Also listen for this episodes advocacy tip. Contact Voices In Advocacy at: www.VoicesinAdvocacy.com 480 488-9150 At Voices in Advocacy we work with organizations that want to inspire, educate, engage, and activate their supports to become even better influential advocates.

Dorian Wanzer, Advocacy Manager for International Paper explains her corporate advocacy role and how they optimize civic engagement with stimulating voter resources and education to employees. Dorian is responsible for developing advocacy messaging strategy for federal and state public policy issues, coordinating grassroots communications, and collaborating with key stakeholders to optimize International Paper’s reputation. She also oversees IP's Government Relations social media accounts. Before joining International Paper, Dorian led grassroots advocacy and outreach for the American Institute of Architects, as well the National Association of Community Health Centers   Thank you to our sponsor: Rap Index, tell them Roger sent you. https://www.rapindex.com   This podcast is dedicated to the art of advocacy. Also listen for this episodes advocacy tip. Contact Voices In Advocacy at: www.VoicesinAdvocacy.com 480 488-9150 At Voices in Advocacy we work with organizations that want to inspire, educate, engage, and activate their supports to become even better influential advocates.

We kick off Season Three with the question of, ”Can Special Interest and Public Interest Go Hand in Hand?”  In this episode we hear from Nate Smith the Vice President of Engagement for the American Traffic Safety Services Association (ATSSA).

We close out Season Two with the 2nd episode of our two part end of season two recap. Most episodes we asked the guest a simple question, which was, “What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think of advocacy?” Each and every response was so decidedly unique, that we chose to share their answers in two recap shows.  Enjoy.

We begin a two episode recap of Season Two. Most episodes we asked the guest a simple question, which was, “What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think of advocacy?” Each and every response was so decidedly unique, that we chose to share their answers in two recap shows.

How NIADA uses coalitions to defend and protect their advocacy interests and other tactics for their legislative success. Interview with Brett Scott, Vice President of Government Affairs for National Independent Automobile Dealers Association.

Find out how the Highway Users Alliance promotes uncongested highways and enhanced freedom of mobility for all Americans in this interview with Laura Perrotta, CAE, CEO of the American Highway Users Alliance.

Erica Klinger, Sr. Director of marketing for the Association for Accessible Medicines discusses how properly used marketing is a great tool for advocacy success.

Find out how the Founder of the Professional Women in Advocacy Conference and former President of Women in Government Relations advocates for professional women in the advocacy, government relations, public policy ecosystem.

Find out how National Association of Community Health Centers & Health Center Advocacy Network communicates with their advocacy stakeholders in an extra ordinary way. Interview with Kristin St. John, Deputy Director of National Grassroots Advocacy.

How the American Urological Association and their Dr. members advocate for better health. Quardricos Bernard Driskell is a federal lobbyist, legislative and political affairs manager for the American Urological Association.

How ASAE uses advocacy to fight for the value of associations. Associations make America stronger. Find out how ASAE and their members play an important role in sharing this message. Guest Mary Kate Cunningham, CAE, Sr. Vice President of Public Policy at ASAE: The Center for Association Leadership.

In this episode we speak with with guest Mark Begich, former U.S. Senator of Alaska and current President & CEO at the Northern Compass Group.  Mark has dedicated several decades of his life to public service.

Part two of the travel advocacy series we present Tori Barnes, Executive Vice President of Public Affairs and Policy at the  U.S. Travel Association, where she leads the government relations, policy development, communications, marketing and research teams. She previously served as the association’s Senior Vice President of Government Relations.

What a year it has been for travelers! Listen to what our guest says about travel in the upcoming year! Enjoy our interview with Roger Dow, President and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association, in the first of two shows dedicated to travel advocacy as they work to defend and protect the entire U.S. travel eco-system.

New Advocacy Alliance for the Exhibitions & Conferences Industry. Out interview with David DuBois of the International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) and Tommy Goodwin of the Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance (ECA).

Aaron discusses the importance of speaking out on behalf of the exhibitions industry and the role the individual citizen plays in addressing their elected officials.

Building advocates for people with developmental disabilities with guest Robin Troutman of National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities (NACDD).

Advocating for Travel Advisors when travel is shutdown. Interview with Eben Peck of American Society of Travel Advisors.

Working together! How the American Farm Bureau Federation public policy teams works in concert with farmers & ranchers to grow their grassroots advocacy capital, with guest Cody Lyons, Managing Director of Advocacy and Political Affairs.

Season 2 - Episode 4: Engaging members to grow grassroots success. Interview with Austin O'Boyle of the National Apartment Association.

Smok'in Advocacy with Guest Joshua Habursky of the Premium Cigar Association. Joshua talks about the diverse landscape of advocacy for an industry that gets their fair share of attention.

Advocacy in a time of an industries shutdown. The travel industry has been severely impacted by a world-wide pandemic.  Learn about the legislative successes of Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) and how they activated their advocates for the cause in this interview with Shane Downey, Vice President of Government Affairs and Community Relations for the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA).

In this episode we learn how and why personal relationships matter in advocacy and how you can use them for greater advocacy success in our interview with Chip Felkel CEO of the Felkel Group and Founder of RAP Index.

I have been thinking a lot lately about who is to blame for our current political divisions and if we can fix them. It is safe to say that there has been a lot of bitterness, hatred and sarcasm spewed since the November election about the state of the American government. We’ve seen Protests, demonstrations, peaceful marches, congressional office sit-ins and angry citizens in town hall meetings shouting that they want answers.

Roger Rickard talks with David DuBois, CEO of the International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) on the importance of association advocacy for his organization and membership. Also, listen for the Advocacy Tip of the week - Get on the Record. For more information on IAEE go to: IAEE.com For more information on Exhibitions Mean Business go to: Exhibitionsmeanbusiness.org   Advertisers are:  TrekkerLeather.com and RokitSEO.com

There has been plenty of talk about what to do now - the election is over and we are getting down to the business of governing. I recently got a call from a longtime friend who shared this thought, “I feel the need to speak out about how I want our government to operate. I need to get involved. I’m just not sure how.” Many people are feeling the exact same way that this person is and they too don’t know how to participate in shaping the government they want.

This podcast is for the people that work and engage in advocacy efforts for their organizations; be they corporations, associations, trade organizations, and non-profit cause groups. If you are one of the people that work to build grassroots advocacy and grow your community of advocates – then you are in the right place. And finally – If you are already an advocate and want to learn more - Then this podcast is for you.

This podcast is for the people that work and engage in advocacy efforts for their organizations; be they corporations, associations, trade organizations, and non-profit cause groups. If you are one of the people that work to build grassroots advocacy and grow your community of advocates – then you are in the right place. And finally – If you are already an advocate and want to learn more - Then this podcast is for you.

Roger Rickard interviews Sam Daley-Harris the Founder of the Center for Citizen Empowerment and Transformation.   Sam Daley-Harris founded the anti-poverty lobby RESULTS in 1980 and co-founded the Microcredit Summit Campaign in 1995 with Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Muhammad Yunus and FINCA founder John Hatch.  Sam wrote Reclaiming Our Democracy: Healing the Break Between People and Government, which, according to President Jimmy Carter “provides a road map for global involvement in planning a better future.” In 2012 Sam launched the Center for Citizen Empowerment and Transformation to help organizations more deeply engage their supporters and create champions in Congress and the media for their cause. Websites:   Center for Citizen Empowerment and Transformation: www.citizenempowermentandtransformation.org   The book: Reclaiming Our Democracy: www.reclaimingourdemocracy.org   RESULTS: www.results.org   Citizens Climate Lobby: www.citizensclimatelobby.org   Friends Committee on National Legislation: www.fcnl.org   American Promise: www.americanpromise.net   Generation 180: www.generation180.org (Keep it Cool campaign)   American Wind Energy Association: www.awea.org   Advertisers are:  www.TrekkerLeather.com and www.RokitSEO.com

Roger Rickard interviews the 'Accidental Advocate on the importance of using your talents to advocate with elected officals.    Also, listen for the Advocacy Tip of the week - Congressional Town Halls - pt.2. For more information on Jon Trask and his company go to: StrategicMeetingTech.com   Advertisers are:  TrekkerLeather.com and RokitSEO.com