The prosperity of the hardwood industry is contingent on the Hardwood Federation Political Action Committee (HFPAC), powerful grassroots efforts, and a trusted presence in Washington, D.C., said Deb Hawkinson, executive director of the lobbying group Hardwood Federation, at the Hardwood Leaders Forum, held Dec. 7 in Charlotte, N.C.
The prosperity of the hardwood industry is contingent on the Hardwood Federation Political Action Committee (HFPAC), powerful grassroots efforts, and a trusted presence in Washington, D.C., said Deb Hawkinson, executive director of the lobbying group Hardwood Federation, at the Hardwood Leaders Forum, held Dec. 7 in Charlotte, N.C.
Also discussed during the event was the importance of hardwood industry leaders' educating "issue elites" on matters important to the industry. Elites can include policymakers, lawmakers, and environmental non-governmental organizations (ENGOs) like the World Wildlife Fund. These groups, because of their status, reputation, or the jobs they control, have great influence on our industry, Hawkinson said. ENGOs establish laws and regulations that can help or hurt the industry, and they help drive public opinion, she said.
Hawkinson reminded attendees that supporting the industry's political action committees (PAC), which funnels donations to members of Congress, gives the industry a way to thank lawmakers for their support of hardwood industry issues. "We are letting them know we want them to stay in Congress and sending an effective thank you to them for working with us on our key policy priorities," Hawkins said.
Copies of Hawkinson's remarks and those of Hardwood Federation Chairman Jameson French during the event can be obtained by calling the Hardwood Federation at 202/463-5186.