Amyism #81 - The Premise is Paramount

"Organizations love to talk about their strategy, of course, because it conveys that nothing they do is random. However, basing your PAC, advocacy or communications strategy on an untested, evidence-free premise is just that -- a "random plan" rather than a "strategic plan". The premise on which your strategy is based is the holy ground, because the wrong premise leads to the wrong strategy, the wrong tactics, and ultimately, a failed outcome."

Amyism #19 - Encouraging Advocate Feedback

It's amazing how the wailing and gnashing of teeth over the lack of communication from the grassroots ends when someone on the government relations staff is actually held responsible for finding out what's going on in the district. 

Demonstrating Advocacy Technology ROI

Amyism #70 - Volunteers

No matter what you want from your work: a vibrant grassroots program, a big PAC bank account, or victories in the legislature - it all comes from other people.

Lowest Common Denominator (LCD) Syndrome

Amyism #77 - Persuasion v. Awareness

"We increasingly see many campaigns that are deemed successful due to 'increased awareness'. It stems from the idea that 'every little bit helps,' however is a fall back position when the campaign doesn't do anything else. We know from social psychology research that there are eight steps to persuasion. 'Awareness' is step two of eight. There is much to persuasion beyond 'awareness'".  --Kelton Rhoads, Ph.D.

Amyism #35 - Rogue Advocates

Not all Rogues should be summarily dismissed from your grassroots efforts. One of the reasons the Rogue exists is because he or she does not know better. It's our responsibility to teach them to know better so they do better.