Recently, I was honored to be one of just a few select women technologists invited to the White House to advise members of the Administration on how we can use technology to promote equal pay for women.  This recent meeting, along with other National Equal Pay Task Force activities, represents the President’s commitment to stop violations of equal pay laws that still occur across our country.

According to the blog post announcing the Equal Pay App Challenge authored by U.S. CTO Aneesh Chopra and Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis:

In America, women make up half of the workforce and two-thirds of our families rely on a mother’s wages for a significant portion of their income. Yet, women, on average, make less on the dollar than men, and the gap is even greater for women of color and women with disabilities.  Lower pay not only means less economic security for women, but also for the families that depend on them.

The most recent (and exciting!) outcome of these activities is the launch of the Equal Pay App Challenge, where developers can create interactive applications to educate the American public about the pay gap and help promote equal pay for men and women.  For me, this challenge represents the intersection of two of my great passions – promoting women in the workforce and using technology to solve problems!

Since the Equal Pay App Challenge is part of the Challenge.gov movement, those involved have the opportunity to win awards and scholarships through this contest, in addition to the good deed of supporting equal pay.

What are you waiting for?  It’s time to get working on your equal pay awareness app!

A recent article by POLITICO’s Anna Palmer entitled “K Street’s boom goes bust” describes how many DC lobbying firms reported stagnant or negative revenues in 2011.  Their sluggish year is attributed to the slow economy and, perhaps more significantly, major shifts occurring in the public affairs industry.  The article describes how a few new kids on the advocacy block are starting to rival the traditional lobbying establishment:

“Fights are no longer just about which side has the most — or best — lobbyists. The new world of Washington influence is more diverse: Traditional access lobbying is waged alongside campaigns that use media, grass-roots activism and the Internet — activity often not reported in federal lobbying filings.”

The article goes on to cite the recent SOPA/PIPA debacle as an example of the power behind grassroots and online campaigns, as well as individual internet users, when they make their presence known in Washington.

This isn’t to say that the big K Street lobbying firms will be closing their doors any time soon.  However, the reality of this “new world of Washington influence” has significant implications for those of us in the public affairs industry.  A TechCrunch article on this very topic notes that “social lobbying,” where social networks trump cash as the currency influence, is becoming a preferred method for “savvy” special interest groups to promote their causes.

Though some believe this movement towards “social lobbying” is the result of negative connotations associated with traditional lobbying, it also seems to reflect our growing propensity to spend time online.  As we become more mobile, connected, and web-dependent, it makes sense that special interest groups would want to engage activists where they are: on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and wherever else our web roamings lead us.

While it may be difficult to predict the future of the Washington influence game, for the time being, it seems as though online and grassroots activism is solidifying its position in DC.  As we move through 2012 and complete another election cycle, perhaps we will see if it is indeed here to stay.

[Image courtesy of MapBox.com]

I recently had the opportunity to attend NetSquared DC’s meet up on modern mapping and new data visualizations.  The focus of the event was to provide non-profit organizations with tips on how to use open source mapping tools to promote their mission, so there was considerable overlap with the work Beekeeper Group does in the advocacy community.

Here are some of the key takeaways I had from the meet up:

1. You don’t need a technical or GIS background to use many open source mapping tools.  This highlights the accessibility of these technologies, even for smaller organizations.  Map Box, with the TileMill application, is one example of these easier open source mapping programs.
2. One of the worst mistakes a group can make when using a map is “polka dot fever,” where a map is filled with data points with little or no context.  Think about the end goal of your map before you make it, and use visual tools that will best tell that story to your audience.
3. Mapping is a great way to make quantitative data visual, personal, and relevant. Danny Harris’s work in using maps for storytelling at People’s District is a great example of this practice.
4. Make sure your maps can go mobile!  Since many of your users will access maps on an Android, iPhone, or iPad, it is crucial that your maps are designed to respond to various devices.  When creating a mobile map, prioritize speed, bandwidth detection, and ensure that the touch interface is functional.

For inspiration on how to create an awesome map for your organization, the presenters recommended books such as Edward Tufte’s The Visual Display of Quantitative Information and online resources like Visualize This.  Since I’m a bit of a map nerd myself, also I think blogs such as Big Map Blog and Strange Maps can provide unique inspiration.

Has your organization ever leveraged maps for an advocacy campaign or cause?  What recommendations would you add for others who are interested in using cartography within their organizations?

Join us the week of February 13-17 as Beekeeper Group celebrates Social Media Week here in D.C.  Hosted in only 9 cities around the globe, Social Media Week is a global platform, offering a series of interconnected events and conversations on up-and-coming developments in social and mobile media.  Connect with us and help us examine how these new forms of collaboration have drastically changed the way we gain knowledge and share information.  Social Media Week 2012 will embrace the theme of  Empowering Change through Collaboration, examining how social media acts as a facilitator for change in economics, culture and politics.  More in the video below:

The Social Media Week D.C. Advisory Board (of which I’m honored to be a Member) has been working hard to provide many ways to participate.  Currently, D.C. already has 27 events scheduled, including various workshops, dinners, documentary viewings and even a pub quiz!  Each of these events is designed to generate conversation amongst social media advocates on the trends and developments that have generated and encouraged significant change all over the world.

Not interested in attending any of the listed events? Host your own! Social Media Week welcomes your submissions, just be sure to submit before January 31st!

In preparation for the upcoming 2012 Public Affairs Council National Grassroots Conference in Miami, Beekeeper Group put together this video depicting our mascot’s search for his Valentine. Though the clip itself is short, the filmmaking process was anything but. From brainstorming story ideas to filming within the constraints of a single room, to stitching together and editing clips, the Beekeeper staff had its hands full. Fortunately, we were up to the challenge.  Tackling each aspect individually (and leaving ourselves plenty of time), the team was able to slowly assemble the finished product. Although this was an internal, company-oriented project, we approached it as we would any client-based endeavor: setting milestones and tailoring it to a specific audience (the public affairs/public advocacy community). These two elements – fixed, realistic objectives and knowing your audience – are critical to any successful advocacy campaign.

The video also features a contest invitation. Viewers/interested individuals can nominate a colleague to be visited by the Beekeeper Bee through our website or via Twitter. For the latter, tweet #BeeMine along with your colleague’s name, workplace and city, and mention @BeekeeperGroup. The winner will receive a basket of goodies delivered in-person to their workplace by the Bee on Valentine’s Day.*

*Applies only to individuals with offices inside the Beltway. Those who work outside the DC area will have a gift mailed to them.

Melanie and the 2011 White House Christmas Tree

As you may recall from a previous blog entry, I play violin with the Symphony Orchestra of Arlington. Recently, a chamber group from the orchestra had the unique opportunity to perform at the White House during their last day of holiday tours for the year on Friday, December 23.

If you’ve never been to the White House during the holiday season, then I highly recommend you put it on your bucket list. Each year, it is the First Lady’s job to determine how to decorate the White House. Much like the influx of tourists to Manhattan to see holiday displays of grandeur, thousands of Americans set their sights on touring the President’s home between Thanksgiving and Christmas. In December alone, the White House welcomed 85,000 guests through its East Wing halls.

I had the opportunity in 2005, my first year in D.C., to tour the festively decorated residence as a member of Capitol Hill staff. This was quite an experience for me back then, and I can say that it was only topped by getting to be the musical entertainment this time around. Our chamber group consisted of roughly 16 musicians ranging in instruments from the violin to the bassoon. We played mostly familiar Christmas carols, but we also performed one of my favorite classical pieces – Concerto Grosso by Corelli, a challenging but beautiful piece.

Some of the coolest aspects of the performance (outside the performance itself!) were that we were placed in the same holding room the White House uses for all of its performers (from Yo Yo Ma to Willie Nelson), we got to tour before playing, we received freshly baked cookies from the White House pastry chef afterward, and we even got memento badges that said ‘White House Holiday Tour Talent’ on them. Oh, and on our way out, we learned that President Obama was upstairs the whole time we played, which makes me wonder if he heard our spirited entertainment.

While guests touring the White House could hear us wherever they were, many people stopped to watch and listen. We interacted with them in between songs, even posing for a few of their photos. As I look back on the many events of 2011, I have to say that this was truly a special way to round out a spectacular year. This holiday season, I can’t think of a bigger treat than to be part of the Symphony Orchestra of Arlington’s chamber group that performed at the White House. Click here to see our photos from the event.

Please come watch our full group perform ‘Broadway Favorites!’ on Friday, January 20, 2012 at the Rosslyn Spectrum Theatre. Learn more here.

Cheers and Happy New Year!

On Friday, December 9, the Advocacy Leaders Network event series kicked off at the Bloomberg Government offices. We were pleased to host a full house at the first of four advocacy-specific events hosted by the Congressional Management Foundation and produced by the Beekeeper Group.

The event theme, “Breaking Through on Capitol Hill:  Making Noise vs. Making a Difference,” triggered a high-level of engagement and intense discussion between the panelists and the audience.

The speakers’ advice on how to get Hill staffers to listen to you was hands-on: “Make an appointment, tell the truth and know the other side,” said Ed McDonald, Chief of Staff and Press Secretary for Rep. Howard Coble.

Former Congressman Dan Mica talked about timing your advocacy efforts: “The most important time to lobby is when you don’t need it,” he said. “If you wait until the issue is red hot…you are way behind.”  Mica also pointed out that successful advocates should know “how high the hill is that they have to climb” in addition to preparing on the issues.

“We spend so much time getting ready to present our issues we don’t know who we’re presenting to….know the Member’s voting record, research their contributions,” Mica concluded. “You can never ask a member to vote against his or her own self-interest.”

ALN Event Series Continues in 2012

Mark your calendars for the next Advocacy Leaders Network event on Friday, March 9, 2012! The topic will be “Mapping Your Political and Economic Footprint:  Identifying Advocacy Assets and the Art of Modern Story Telling.”

Register for this event at http://march9th2012.eventbrite.com/ or get a discounted series ticket at http://seriesticket.eventbrite.com/

Hi,

As my time at the Beekeeper Group is coming to an end so does the blog series on the European Union. In my last post I give an overview about how lobbying in the U.S. differs from lobbying in the European Union.

A key difference between the lobbying cultures of the EU and the U.S. lies in the approach to funding interest groups and NGOs, as well as political campaigns.

In the EU, non-profit organizations representing civil society are often the recipient of financial support from the European Commission. In contrast, the American system rarely provides government funding to support lobbying organizations or interest groups—the money generally flows in precisely the opposite direction.

The following chart illustrates some other differences between the lobbying business in the U.S. and in the EU (please click on the image to enlarge it).

www.eurunion.org.eu

I hope you enjoyed my series! Thank you for your interest.

Bye,

Valerie

Our automotive sector client, Global Automakers, has officially ventured into the world of social media. We’re excited to help this association for global automobile manufacturers begin building a successful online community that thrives on engaging relationships with automotive public policy media, industry representatives, and the Hill.

With member companies that range in size and market share, taking to the Twitter channels and Facebook are great ways to stay in touch and educate the public about what the association is doing and what issue areas it is focusing on each year.

Following a rebrand of its former self, known as the Association of International Automobile Manufacturers (AIAM), launching into social media is a natural next step for the association. At the start of 2011, Global Automakers launched a new brand through its website. Take a glance here. They’ve also created a members-only section of the site so they can feed their key stakeholders with up-to-date information.

Please help us welcome Global Automakers into the social media world by giving them a follow and a like today!

Are you an Advocacy leader? This is a question you will likely hear from us pretty often from now on as we kick-off the first Advocacy Leaders Network event on December 9: Breaking Through on Capitol Hill: Making Noise vs. Making a Difference.

From the initial response to this new conference series it is clear that there are a large number of advocacy leaders out there. Advocacy leaders have much in common. Aside from having a difficult time describing to friends and family what we actually do for a living, we also share a genuine interest in helping Congress and the political process work better for all citizens.

With that in mind, we would like you to consider joining as a contributor to the Advocacy Leaders Network Blog, scheduled to launch in early 2012. Please complete this form if you think you may have something to add to an ongoing discussion of issues impacting the advocacy industry and the professionals within its ranks. You may post once, or you may become a regular contributor, the choice is yours - either way, we would love to have you join as part of the Advocacy Leaders Network.

The Advocacy Leaders Network is hosted by the Congressional Management Foundation and produced by Beekeeper Group.