State Policy Network
The A-Team: Government affairs and communications

by Meredith Turney and Emily Wismer

Most of us know that working as a team amplifies our efforts, but sadly in the hustle and bustle of everyday work, organizations often face the pitfall of allowing teams to sequester themselves into silos. One team advances its own goals and metrics, while other teams do the same, striving to meet daily demands. This type of hazard can lead to tension in the workplace and missed opportunities.

But when communications and government affairs teams work together, they blend their unique strengths, resources, and perspectives to offer a clearer vision of what can be accomplished and opportunities to maximize their teams’ impact. They work side by side before, during, and after legislative session. Here are some tips for creating greater synergy between your organization’s communications and government affairs work:

Before Session:

During Session:

After Session:

This type of collaboration between government affairs and communications can quickly and efficiently accelerate your organization’s policy priorities. Consider all the ways your teams can be far more effective by sharing goals, developing shared systems, and sharing the credit. Think about what is truly important and necessary, and eliminate all the extra busywork.

If you have additional ideas for government affairs and communications collaboration, we encourage you to share them with the rest of the network so that we can all continue to improve this critical alignment within our organizations.

Meredith Turney serves as the Senior Director of Leadership Development & Strategic Communications and Emily Wismer is the Government Affairs & Policy Specialist at State Policy Network.

Before engaging in any legislative education and outreach activities, please ensure opportunities align with your current strategy and seek legal counsel before weighing in on a specific piece of legislation. 

Organization: State Policy Network