Although the New Orleans conference already seems like just a distant memory, the enthusiasm and excitement are still very much with us. We handed out hundreds of badge ribbons and cards to attendees, many of whom were truly excited to learn about the Advocacy initiative and want to get involved.

So what’s next? Here’s what I reported to the Executive Board:

We’ve taken some important first steps by conceptualizing the “flying squad” to help IABC speak out on issues relevant to what we do and our involvement in ISO 26000. The latter is only the first step taken by the Social Responsibility subcommittee, which is exploring a variety of other opportunities for IABC, its chapters and its members to leverage our skills to make a difference in the world around us.

But there’s so much more to do… and this past year showed us that a single working group simply can’t get its arms around the huge array of possibilities we need to explore. Every time we identify another idea, two more appear.

So, having witnessed the great success of our Social Responsibility subcommittee’s work, and using it as a model, we’re creating a number of additional subcommittees, each of which will focus on one subset of Advocacy, do some brainstorming and creative thinking to identify opportunities for us, and develop proposals that we can act on.

Here is a list (in no special order) of the other subcommittees, with their working titles, which we’re now setting up (more will undoubtedly follow) :

• Promoting Our Profession — A primary objective of Advocacy is to build awareness of the communications profession and communicate the value we add to virtually any organization or endeavor. How can we do it most effectively? Would advertising work? Speeches? Articles? If our ultimate goal is “getting a seat at the table,” what should we do?
• Ethics — We have a strong code of ethics. But how can we leverage it to business and other audiences as a model global standard of professional conduct?
• Education — It’s often said that communicators don’t know enough about business… and that business leaders don’t know enough about communication. How can we change that? Can we influence colleges and universities to broaden their curricula? Are there other ways? And, in the process, can we build our student memberships to give them an entrée into our own network of learning, interaction and professional development? (This group will include both educators and practitioners.)
• Building Bridges — It seems that everyone has their own horror stories about working with Legal, HR, IT and other organizational functions. (And they most likely have their own stories about us!) How can we tear down the barriers, build understanding and forge closer working relationships with these and other groups?
• Accreditation — Working together with IABC’s Accreditation Council, identify ways to promote the ABC designation as part of our Advocacy efforts. Do the “right” people know about — and understand — the value of Accredited Business Communicators? Does it require greater prominence in the business and organization worlds?

Does something there “jump out” at you — something you’re especially interested in or passionate about? Or maybe an area in which you’ve had some experience?

If you answered “yes,” then we want (and need) you!

A (sub)committee is only as good as the people who serve on it. That’s why we’re looking for people who…

• are genuinely interested in one of these areas,
• can do some creative, out-of-the-box thinking to help identify opportunities and ways to develop them,
• are willing to make the commitment needed to get the job done, and
• are ready to roll up their sleeves and get to work.

If you’re interested — or know someone else who might be — please let us know. Send an email to iabc.advocacy at gmail dot com and we’ll get back to you.

One of our guiding principles for the Advocacy initiative has been that it shouldn’t reflect the thinking of just a handful of people. Whether you serve on a subcommittee… participate in our discussion here… or become more actively involved in IABC’s programs and activities, you have a golden opportunity to help influence our direction… to add value… and to help make a difference in IABC and in our profession.

What do you think? Are we heading in the right direction?

We want to hear from you!

Edited 23.7.07 with changes underscored to clarify my original copy.

One of the most interesting things about our Advocacy initiative has been seeing and hearing people’s enthusiasm about Social Responsibility (SR). For most of us, it’s not even part of our formal job descriptions. Yet it’s clear that a large (and growing) number of people — as citizens of the world — want to make a difference. And as communicators, we possess unique skills that can make a difference, globally and locally.

My friend and colleague, Tom Keefe, has written an excellent personal manifesto about our role in SR. His vision mirrors that of the Social Responsibility subcommittee, which has already given IABC a “seat at the table” in developing ISO 26000 and is now exploring additional opportunities to spread SR awareness and build involvement.

This is exciting for IABC for several reasons. As Tom points out, it enhances our professional profile by demonstrating how the work we do adds value to virtually any enterprise. It also provides a catalyst for our members to get involved in something that may have special meaning to them. (What better example than our work with Habitat for Humanity in New Orleans?) And finally, it’s a way for us — individually and as an association — to make a difference in the world we live in… to Be Heard™.

When we first announced our Advocacy initiative, we talked about adding important new dimensions to IABC and communications; SR could well become one of the most meaningful.

What do you think?

When I originally wrote about whether and how IABC should take positions on key issues, I cited our response to a press inquiry on the firing of Don Imus. And you responded — here and elsewhere — taking us to task for our weak, “middle of the road” statement.

You were right. That episode showed that we didn’t have a clearly defined approach for dealing with those kinds of issues and situations. You also scolded us for not being willing to step up to the plate and really take a position.

Well, we listened to you… and I’m pleased to report that we’re making some significant changes.

When the Executive Board met in New Orleans last week, it unanimously approved our proposal to create a “flying squad” — a select group of experienced, media-savvy communicators who will be empowered to help IABC Be Heard™ by responding to breaking events, situations and press inquiries.

We’ve started to identify and recruit members for the “flying squad,” which we hope to complete this summer. Once in place, they’ll develop their own guidelines and procedures, to help them be prepared to respond when needed. They’ll also study the current world we work in and identify issues and other topics that for IABC to address, with appropriate recommendations.

This is a big step forward for IABC. Overdue? Perhaps. But at the risk of sounding corny (so what’s new?), I’ll call it “one small step for man, one giant leap for IABC” because it is a significant step forward for our Advocacy initiative. It demonstrates that we’re open to constructive criticism and suggestions and willing to act on them.

We’re far from done. There’s lots more to do… lots more small steps and some big ones, too. But Advocacy has begun, and we’re determined to help make a difference.

We’ll be writing more soon about what’s next. And how you can help.