SEA on the Hill

Left photo:(from left) SEA Board Chair, Bill Strathmann, Congressman Van Hollen, SEA COO, Jill Harris. Right photo: Senator Barbara Boxer with SEA Board Member, Tony Deifell

SEA Board members gathered in Washington DC last week for a board and staff meeting followed by a full day of lobbying on the Hill. 

On Tuesday March 8^th SEA board members and staff spent a “Day on the Hill” meeting with their senators and congresspersons discussing issues close to our heart – explaining the important role which social enterprise can play in the New Economy and reacting to recent budget cuts at the Corporation for National and Community Service (which includes AmeriCorps and the Social Innovation Fund).
Board member, Anne Wunderli with Pine Street Inn in Massachusetts met with staff from her districts, Senator Kerry and Representative Markey. After the meeting, she felt “exhilarated.” The Board went through a detailed training provided by Steve Farber of Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck and Tom Sheridan of the Sheridan Group. They also learned the “5 Cs” of great policymaker meetings (Compelling – Constituent – Clarity – Conversation - Close) from Government Relations Chair, Suzanne Smith of Social Impact Architects. She will be reprising that skill-building training for all SEA members in the upcoming month. Board Chair Bill Strathmann, CEO Lisa Nitze, and Suzanne Smith also had an afternoon meeting with key SBA staff to discuss how social enterprises can be integrated into their efforts to assist small businesses. 

We encourage all SEA members to follow the Board’s example – if you haven’t already, make an appointment with your local policymakers and talk about the importance of social enterprise. Stay tuned for upcoming training calls from SEA to help your efforts.