Advocacy is an essential benefit that associations can provide for their members, yet the complex policy environment can make it challenging for associations to have their message heard by decision-makers. With so many voices vying for attention, it’s essential that associations bring a strategy to their advocacy efforts that allows them to be heard above the noise. For many associations, research provides this advocacy edge.
By bringing objective data into the discussion, associations can back claims with proof points, significantly enhancing the effectiveness and credibility of their advocacy efforts. With a clear strategy for data collection and analysis, associations can effectively leverage research among various stakeholder groups to influence policy to align with their mission.
Research can build a case for advocacy
To build a strong case for capping the price of insulin, a prominent health advocacy organization connected with a third-party consultant to secure input from insulin users. The survey was distributed using a strategy that ensured results would mirror the general population and represent nationwide insulin users.
Among other things, the survey asked respondents to share whether they had ever had to make a choice between paying for insulin over other necessities. With this data, the organization was able to quantify the hardship rising drug prices placed on insulin users. It provided the proof needed to show lawmakers that the rising costs of insulin were causing users to forgo purchasing this life-saving medication.
With research, the organization’s leaders proved able to effectively advocate for the changes that would ultimately drive state and federal legislation to cap insulin out-of-pocket payments for vulnerable populations.
Quick insight can lead to lasting impact
Research doesn’t necessarily have to be extensive to drive action. In fact, brevity can help increase your response rate and rapidly turn data into action.
Speed was an essential element of research for our client when it learned that Congress wanted companies in their industry to stop doing business with certain foreign contract partners. The organization knew it needed to speak up for its members, but had less than a month to get the data needed to protect their interests. For fast results, they contracted with a third-party consultant to craft approximately a dozen questions to get to the heart of members’ concerns.
The data collected from members provided insight into the challenges the industry faced in replacing their manufacturing sources and the potential impact this would have on consumers. The member survey found that 79% of survey respondents held at least one contract or product with manufacturers from the country in question. Survey respondents shared that they would need up to eight years to switch manufacturing partners in order to minimize the impact on U.S. consumers.
This combination of research and advocacy helped shape the organization’s testimony before the House of Representatives Small Business Committee – and the recommendations adopted in subsequent legislation. It also provides proof that surveys don’t need to be exhaustive in order to glean valuable insight.
Research can prioritize strategic action
In shaping the research needed to advance advocacy, associations should begin with their end goal in mind. This goal will shape questions asked to uncover the information that will drive action.
Yet when the end goal is particularly large, an association may need to prioritize a range of actions. Member research can help associations better understand their members’ priorities, concerns, and willingness to take action. This insight can prioritize action and help tailor future advocacy efforts to deliver the maximum value to members.
For example, when two health-focused organizations partnered to tackle childhood obesity, they needed to first identify the strategies most likely to drive action among their target constituents. With insight from the general population, the organizations could then take specific strategies to decision-makers with evidence that the general population would support action.
Adopt research and advocacy best practices
Research and member insights are powerful tools for strengthening advocacy efforts. When leveraged appropriately, the research your organization conducts to members’ benefit can also be used to support speaking points, adapted for use in trade or consumer media, and otherwise used to magnify your message.
However, in shaping this research, associations must take care to carefully design surveys to ensure they reliably represent the target population and reflect constituents’ concerns. A consultant can help maximize the chance of securing statistically significant and appropriately useful data from a representative group.
If you’re ready to take action on the issues that matter to your members, Vault can help secure the data you need to build your case. The first step to achieving your advocacy goals is to contact Vault today.
