Dear NFIB Member:
NFIB is a grassroots organization. Our influence and credibility come directly from you, our members. You’ll find us in Washington, D.C., and every state capital, representing small and independent business owners from builders to boutique owners and most industries in between.
When NFIB testifies before Congress, meets with lawmakers, or talks to the media, it’s clear that we are speaking on behalf of Main Street businesses. The key to this effectiveness is member activism, and I want to make sure you know how to get involved.
Many of you have attended one of our recent Small Business Day at the Capitol events. These annual meetings give you direct access to your state officials so you can voice concerns and explain how public policies, such as taxes and regulations, affect your business. We have talented and dedicated staff in Washington, D.C., and the state capitals. They do an excellent job of representing your views, but the most powerful advocacy tool is a direct conversation between policymakers and business owners who must operate under those policies. If you haven’t been to an NFIB Small Business Day, please check with your state NFIB office to find out when there will be another one.
In the meantime, there are many other ways you can get involved. Start by learning about the various online grassroots activities in which you can participate. From there you can find and contact your representatives, research legislation, and sign up for alerts.
You can also get involved with the NFIB Leadership Trust, which is our main political fundraising program. Contributions help our work to get members of Congress who support small business elected. NFIB endorses only candidates who vote consistently with our key positions. You can see how your representative has voted on the current issues so far by checking out the NFIB How Congress Voted guide. It’s an invaluable report that distinguishes between lawmakers who say they support small business and lawmakers who actually vote for small business.
What separates NFIB from all other business groups is the NFIB Ballot. Unlike most groups whose positions are determined by a board of directors or executive staff, NFIB’s policies are determined by you, our members. For every session of Congress and every state legislative session, we identify the key issues, and then we ask you to vote. The outcome becomes our position. Our members steer the ship. By voting your NFIB Ballot, you can ensure that NFIB remains the Voice of Small Business.
As always, thank you for your membership. Please check our website regularly for the most current information on the top national and state issues. Also, please don’t hesitate to contact one of our offices if you have any questions or concerns.
