1. Governmental Affairs Committee Chair
Grassroots Movement
Presentation by:
Garrett Varra
Varra Companies
Governmental Affairs Committee Chair

2. Agenda Define Grassroots Movement Show you how to:
Find your elected officials
Respond to an Action Alert
Tips and tricks when communicating with legislators
Appropriately fill out your Grassroots Awards Application
Unmute participants for a brief question and answer session

3. Quick Definition Merriam-Webster defines grassroots as
The very foundation or source
The basic level of society or of an organization especially as viewed in relation to higher or more centralized positions of power
Like actual grass roots, the movement starts from the ground and grows up

4. Find your Elected Officials
Use the CRMCA and CSSGA’s website to locate your elected officials
Go to under the Committees Tab click Governmental Affairs Committee. The resources are listed at the top of the page.
Go to under the Committees Tab click Governmental Affairs Committee. The resources are listed at the top of the page.

5. Respond to an Action Alert
CRMCA and CSSGA encourage you to contact your representative individually. Doing so creates a more personal and effective form of communication.
Watch as I respond to the Action Alert that was sent this morning.

6. Communicating with Legislators
Know your objective.
Personalize the request.
Be brief and prepared.
Respect the legislator’s time constraints
Make your points concisely and coherently.
Emphasize how an issue affects you.
Ask a direct question.
Always thank the member for his or her time! And send a follow-up.

7. Grassroots Awards Application
Use and to access the application.
The application was also included as a downloadable documentat the beginning of this webinar.

8. Questions & Contact Info
At this time we will unmute your microphones and open the floor for discussion.
If any questions arise after the fact, don’t hesitate to contact Todd Ohlheiser:
Todd Ohlheiser, Executive Director