How-To Checklist for Association CEOs and Boards Advocacy is something that most associations engage in at some point. This checklist will help you get your ducks in a row for advocacy campaigns. The more work you put in upfront, the quicker, easier and more successful your advocacy...
Dear Here to Help, I have written to government about a bad decision they made, but nobody has come back to me with anything that makes sense. Help! Thanks for your query. Here are some tips to help you better communicate with government. (1) Always state what you want, clearly,...
My passion to improve Australia one law or decision at a time lands me in all sorts of interesting conversations. Most often, people complain about their dealings with bureaucracies and ask “what would you do?” So, here are my top tips for dealing with bureaucracies, with simple...
I use this picture in every presentation I give about dealing with government. The picture never fails – heads nod, eyes roll and I even hear the occasional laugh. I’m never sure whether the laughs are saying “that’s funny”, “if I don’t laugh, I’ll cry”,...
Dear Here to Help, Every time it rains, my house is flooded. The water overflows from the street and pours down into my front door. Yet, when I look at Council’s flood management strategy, my street is not marked as flooding. I have complained to Council over the...
Being asked what I do for a living is complex and, sometimes, anxiety-producing. If I say “public policy” or “government relations”, most people’s eyes glaze over and they start rocking on their feet, not even bothering to stifle a yawn. I pre-emptively put an arm out,...
Dear Here to Help, Government awarded me a substantial grant to pursue my innovative idea. I poured my heart and soul into my project and developed it to a stage where it was ready to launch. Then, I came in for a nasty surprise. Government was...
Dear Here to Help, Government has done a great thing with the bottle recycling scheme. It’s fun to take the bottles with the kids for some spending money. The machines have become faster and easier to use. However, some problems make it annoying and time-wasting to return...
Dear Here to Help, Government talks about what it is doing to help active transport. I have a new job in the centre of Newcastle, but I can’t find anywhere secure to lock my bike. There used to be secure bike lockers around the Newcastle train...
Dear Here to Help, There was a classified ad in the Local recently by a man saying he “is not a voluntary transactor in commerce” and seeking to “sever Usufruct Subjugation ties with the Australia Corporation in its entirety.” and instructing it to “cease and desist...