We sat down with Ashleigh Barry, Senior Vice President of Communications at the National Association for Veteran Rights (NAVR), to hear how grassroots advocacy supports their mission.
About NAVR
NAVR is a national trade association that promotes ethical and transparent business practices among companies engaging with the service-disabled Veteran community while helping advance support for Veteran-owned businesses. With 20 million Veterans in the United States projected to spend $43.6 billion annually, NAVR advocates for businesses that empower Veterans with professional and transparent solutions.
Question: NAVR is committed to “working relentlessly to preserve veterans’ rights.” How does grassroots advocacy come into play in helping you achieve this mission?
Answer: Grassroots advocacy is a fundamental aspect of NAVR’s strategy. We are humbled that we can empower Veterans and supporters to engage with lawmakers through various platforms, including Speak4, harnessing the power of vast and passionate communities to ensure their voices are heard by policymakers.
Question: Who are NAVR’s advocates and how have you found them?
Answer: Our advocates come from diverse backgrounds, unified by their commitment to support Veterans. We’ve built a strong & dedicated support network through digital and offline channels, including targeted social media campaigns and relationships with our member companies, Veteran Benefits Guide and Veterans Guardian.
Question: NAVR champions causes at many levels (state, federal, etc.). How have you navigated keeping your advocates engaged and taking repeated actions?
Answer: NAVR and our member companies keep advocates engaged through constant communication, including newsletters, phone calls, and emails about ongoing initiatives. Our active social media presence keeps advocates engaged with real-time updates, and at crucial moments we can easily launch action alerts through the Speak4 platform that encourage Veterans to make their voices heard.
Question: What has been the most useful advocacy feature or tactic you’ve implemented to help a specific effort succeed?
Answer: NAVR launched a targeted grassroots mobilization campaign, and in partnership with our member companies and their impactful efforts, this resulted in a significant increase in constituent contacts with legislators, widespread media coverage, and ultimately, the successful passage of the legislation.
The combination of data-driven targeting, comprehensive advocacy resources, direct Veteran engagement, and compelling storytelling proved the most effective strategy for achieving this major win for Veterans that ensured they received the support they deserve.
Question: What is your advice for other groups or individuals interested in supporting veterans’ rights via grassroots advocacy?
Answer: Effective advocacy requires research, persistence, and patience. Legislative changes take time, which is why a sustained effort is crucial. I encourage advocacy leaders to foster a sense of community to maintain enthusiasm and dedication to your cause.
Advocacy campaigns can face unexpected obstacles, so be prepared to adapt your strategies and be flexible in your approach. Even if the progress seems to be stalling, trust me – it pays off in the end!