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Bill LaGuardia doesn’t believe in taking a backseat approach when it comes to running his business. And he’s the same way when it comes to being a member of NFIB.
LaGuardia and his wife, JoAnn, who own LM Engineering in Youngstown, Ohio, are members of the NFIB/Ohio Leadership Council, founding members of their local Area Action Council and frequent participants in NFIB member events in Columbus and Washington, D.C.
Their involvement helped NFIB score a major victory in overhauling Ohio’s workers’ compensation system. They’ve also been leading participants in the discussion on affordable health insurance options for small business.
“It’s all about cause and effect,” LaGuardia says. “If you stand by the sidelines, NFIB does a terrific job. But if you get involved, you get an exponentially bigger bang for your buck.”
A modest man, LaGuardia doesn’t take credit for creating the concept of NFIB Area Action Councils. But by working with NFIB Midwest Region Vice President Roger Geiger, that’s exactly what he did.
“I thought it would be neat if we could take the experience that Leadership Council members get in Columbus and expand it locally,” he explains. “It gives small-business owners a true grassroots experience. No matter where you are, if you get a few small-business owners talking, someone starts to harp. Now when I find myself in that situation, I tell them, ‘Hey, we’re talking about that next month at the AAC meeting. You should come.’ ”
LaGuardia understands the importance of getting others involved, too. As a small-business owner, he knows that in order to beat big labor, trial lawyers and the various other groups trying to bring small business down, his voice—and the voice of his peers—has to grow louder.
“As you add more members, NFIB’s clout goes from a strong voice to a shout that just can’t be ignored,” he says. “When you look at the money behind big labor, lawyer groups and other special interest groups, you start to realize the importance of being as powerful as NFIB is. One person’s special interest is another person’s pariah. You have to be a player, and that’s exactly what NFIB is. If you want victory, you have to grow membership.”
Loud and Clear
Follow Bill LaGuardia’s lead to grow NFIB’s clout. There are lots of ways you can lend your voice. Joining local and state groups of NFIB members is one way to help NFIB further the cause of small business. For more information about joining an Area Action Council or your state’s Leadership Council, contact your state director. Find phone numbers and e-mail addresses on your state Web page (www.NFIB.com/stateabbreviation. Ex: www.NFIB.com/AL, for Alabama).
Area Action Councils
Don’t have time to travel to Washington, D.C., or your state capital to talk to lawmakers? Launched by NFIB three years ago, Area Action Councils bring the agenda to you—in your hometown. AACs are member networks that give you the opportunity to influence lawmakers’ decisions on issues that affect your business. By providing an atmosphere that promotes interaction with other small-business owners and lawmakers, AACs are one of the most powerful ways you can affect what happens in your state.
Leadership Councils
Take your activism to the next level by joining your state’s NFIB Leadership Council. When state and federal lawmakers want the small-business perspective on pending legislation, NFIB Leadership Council members are often among the first people consulted. Gather with members from around your state to advocate on behalf of your business and others just like it.
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