Page 24 - May-June 2020 Vol38 No1

STATEWIDE by Calvin Clifton
Public Works Advocacy At All Levels

I continue to sense
and to hear folks
indicate that they’re
unsure as to what
advocacy really is and
what role it should
play in Public Works.
It is certainly not
a taboo subject or
off limits to public
sector employees. In
an effort to address
this, here are some
thoughts as to what
advocacy is (as well
as what it’s not).1
• Advocacy is
active promotion
of a cause or
principle – in our
case it’s Public
Works – what we
as Public Works
professionals do APWA Government Affairs Committee and staff meets with Representative Dina Titus (D-NV), Co-chair U.S. House Public Works &
every day. Infrastructure Caucus during their annual meetings on The Hill in D.C., February 2020

• Advocacy involves actions that lead to a nutshell, you can think of advocacy as Public Policy Priorities
selected goals – our goals are to have the speaking up and spreading the message in One of the primary responsibilities
support of those we serve; the provision order to further our cause. and accomplishments for the GAC is the
of resources necessary to accomplish Public Policy Priorities document. These
our agencies’ goals and missions; and Role of Government Affairs important policies serve as the framework
the advancement of our profession. The national-level APWA Government for APWA’s federal-level advocacy
• Advocacy is one of many possible efforts, composed by the GAC and
strategies, or ways to approach an issue, Affairs team including the Government Government Affairs staff and approved
problem, or a cause – in this context, Affairs Committee (GAC) and the APWA by the full APWA Board of Directors
ours is a cause (see above). Washington, D.C. staff advocates for the for the current (116th) U.S. Congress.
• Advocacy can be used as part of importance of investing in transportation The Public Policy Priorities are available
a community or group initiative, infrastructure, water and waste water on the APWA website and consist of:
combined with other components. This infrastructure, public utilities, emergency Surface Transportation Reauthorization,
is certainly the case for Public Works response services, and the many basic Transportation, Water Resiliency, and
advocacy at the local, state, and national needs essential to every thriving Emergency Management and Response.
community.

levels. The Government Affairs Committee Work is already underway by the GAC
• Advocacy does not necessarily involve The GAC is comprised of 12 members. and APWA’s Government Affairs staff
“lobbying” or even politics. It is simply I had the honor to serve six years on for consideration and review of APWA’s
educating folks to raise or increase the APWA’s GAC, and am currently serving current and potential policy statements
awareness of what we do, what we need, two terms as the Chair. The diversity of for the 117th Congress, which will
and what we represent as individuals the members of the GAC is crucial to its convene in early January 2021.
and a profession. success. Members include representatives Monthly conference calls and two
The term advocacy encompasses the from both the public and private sectors annual in-person meetings are utilized
actions one takes in order to effect change with all regions of the U.S. equally to conduct the Committee’s business
for a cause they are invested in. Advocate represented. From Maine to California, and to discuss the direction and subject
has many synonyms that you’ve surely from Washington State to South Carolina matter for review, discussion and potential
heard, from champion to proponent to – your current GAC certainly represents policy positions. The APWA Board always
crusader.2 I personally prefer the term the entire country, the APWA, and our has the final review and approval of all
messenger because we are all constantly profession in the most positive and policies and positions recommended by
carrying the Public Works message. In credible means. the GAC.

24 TPW May/June 2020