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Stand Up and Start Talking: It's as Easy as That!
Although public speaking is not a favorite pastime for most of us, it is a valuable way to share the benefits of plastics to society and the economy with specific audiences. Many successful SPI member executives frequently speak to community groups to promote both the plastics industry and their companies. In some cases civic groups will approach executives to speak, but many plastics leaders create their own opportunities by offering to be a guest speaker or back-up speaker at group meetings such as Kiwanis, Rotary and Chambers of Commerce.
If you don't regularly speak in public and are invited to do so, SPI has many resources throughout its Web site to help you present all kinds of facts and figures on plastics. There is also a Tips on Making Speeches page, under the Outreach and Education and Community Involvement sections, to help you brush up on your speaking skills. Remember that being a great orator begins with enthusiasm about your speech topic. If you care about your message, so will your audience.
It Never Hurts to Have Friends in High Places
Establishing a good relationship with lawmakers has many advantages, whether it is your local councilman, state legislator or congressional representative. Although SPI staff work regularly with legislators around the country, as their constituent you have greater influence with them. Politicians want to hear from people who elect them, and who speak from personal knowledge and genuine concern. You have a lot of clout as part of the nation's 4th largest industry and a substantial contributor to the economy.
Don't wait for an urgent legislative issue before getting acquainted with your lawmakers. The more familiar they are with you and your business, the more responsive they will be when you need to discuss an important concern of yours.
There are many ways to introduce yourself and your company to elected officials. Legislators hold public meetings to get feedback from constituents. Additionally, elected officials are always looking for opportunities to share their message with voters, so if you belong to a group that meets regularly your lawmaker may appreciate an invitation to speak.
Plant tours are an effective way for plastics companies to educate lawmakers and the public about the industry. To set one up, contact the scheduling secretary in your lawmaker's district or state office, and explain why a tour of your plant is important to the lawmaker by stressing what you manufacture, the number of people you employ, and how much you pay in taxes. Next, start planning the tour with your staff and allow both hourly and salaried employees a chance to meet the lawmaker. It is helpful to learn what your guest hopes to gain from the visit, how much time they have and whether they'd like to address your workers. Guide to Plant Tours
Supporting a candidate for office is another way for you to get to know an incumbent or challenger on a personal basis. This can be done by volunteering to work on the campaign, contributing money to it or by attending or organizing a fund-raiser for the candidate.
The above helps lay the ground work for when a serious issue impacting plastics arises on a state or national level and SPI has to call on its members to take action by writing, calling or meeting with their lawmakers. When writing to your lawmaker about potential legislation refer to the bill number and describe the content of it. Assume they are not knowledgeable about the issue and get to the point. Use a constructive tone that recommends actions for improvement and presents the best arguments favoring your position. Provide examples of how the legislation would affect the local economy, consumers and workers. Always ask for a written reply regarding their position and the action they'll take.
The following are links to SPI's web pages . . .
1. Economic Statistics and Facts on the Plastics Industry
2. Tips on Communicating with Legislators
3. Links to State Legislative Web Sites and Addresses
4. Fast Facts on Plastics
Get Involved with Local Workforce Investment Boards
SPI members are encouraged to become active with their local Workforce Investment Boards. Many of these local boards are responsible for the allocation of state and federal funds to promote workforce-training initiatives in their communities. If plastics specific training programs are going to be developed in your community, these boards need to be aware of the plastics industry and its needs. A video on a model plastics industry/workforce board partnership is available to assist you in working with your local board. For information on ways you can get involved contact Gary Moore at 202/974-5246; e-mail gmoore@socplas.org, or call the SPI Workforce Answerline at 1-800-993-9415.
SPI Brings Virginia Plastics Employers and Workforce Investment Boards Together
SPI and the Virginia Community College System are sponsoring a series of roundtables to help local Workforce Investment Boards and economic development officials gain a better understanding of the workforce development needs of the plastics industry in various regions of the state. As the eighth-fastest-growing state in the plastics industry, Virginia is currently experiencing a chronic labor shortage. The January meetings will give plastics employers an opportunity to describe their recruitment, screening, orientation, training and certification requirements in order to help state and local organizations' programs and services to meet those needs. All plastics companies are invited to send representatives to the meetings that are located closest to them. For information, call Kelvin Mims at 202/974-5346 or email kmins@socplas.org.
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