State and federal lawmakers are most interested in and responsive to their own constituents—people from their own states, legislative districts and communities. It’s critical that legislators hear directly about the company’s priorities and concerns from employees like you. 

​Advocacy is the support or defense of a cause and the act of pleading on behalf of another person or issue.

​Grassroots advocacy is when everyday citizens communicate for the advancement of a particular cause. They might contact their legislators seeking to influence legislation and public policy, organize a public education event or petition drive, or write an opinion/editorial piece or letter to the editor and submit it to their local newspaper. Grassroots advocacy comes from the “ground up”, from the direct, roots of concern about an issue or interest.

Grassroots lobbying occurs when an organization communicates with supporters (e.g. employees, members, the general public, third parties, etc.) in an effort to influence legislators on a specific piece of legislation or legislative issue and expends funds for that purpose. When staff participate in grassroots lobbying campaigns, working to educate and inform lawmakers on legislative issues in such a manner, it is not considered direct lobbying.