'Don't Be Afraid to Bark At and Chase the Big Dogs'

Last night at an informal wine and cheese reception to wrap up day one of the 2012 New York Nonprofit Conference, an esteemed group of fundraising professionals addressed those in attendance on the DMA Nonprofit Federation's government affairs advocacy initiatives.

DMA Nonprofit Federation Advisory Council member Gretchen Littlefield, president, nonprofit and government at Infogroup; Linda Woolley, executive vice president, Washington operations for the DMA Government Affairs Team; and Jerry Cerasale, senior vice president, government affairs of the DMA Government Affairs Team discussed some of the successes and issues that are still taking place. But the show-stopper, to no surprise to anyone who knows him, was Angel Aloma, executive director of Food for the Poor and a Nonprofit Federation Advisory Council member.

Angel relayed the story of a dog that used to run to the fence of his yard and bark at every other dog that passed. If a smaller dog went by, this dog would burrow under the fence and chase the smaller canine. However, when a big dog passed, this dog simply ran to the fence and barked, not daring to chase the bigger dog.

Aloma challenged all the fundraisers in attendance to not be afraid to not only bark at the big dogs, but to chase the big dogs, to take on the big dogs on Capitol Hill to fight for the fundraising sector. He urged everyone to think about what will happen when somoene in need must be turned away because the dollars aren't there. Think how your mission will be affected if the postal rates and charitable deductions do not remain.

It's vital that every fundraiser understands the impact legislation can have, and just as important that each and every one of you take action. Visit DMAAction.org to find out what you can do to help sustain the sector so organizations across the country and the world can continue to work toward their life-saving missions.