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Starting a non profit advocacy group

post #1 of 8
12/18/09 at 2:46am
Thread Starter 
I have recently gotten really interested in local food production as well as food labeling (such as organic/GMO free, etc.). Since I have worked as a statehouse lobbyist the last few years and I am an attorney I feel like I might be able to provide some valuable services to the cause of promoting issues surrounding local agriculture.

Does anyone here have any kind of experience setting up a small trade group or something of the like? Any help would be appreciated.
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post #2 of 8
12/18/09 at 6:31pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by CTGuy View Post
I have recently gotten really interested in local food production as well as food labeling (such as organic/GMO free, etc.). Since I have worked as a statehouse lobbyist the last few years and I am an attorney I feel like I might be able to provide some valuable services to the cause of promoting issues surrounding local agriculture. Does anyone here have any kind of experience setting up a small trade group or something of the like? Any help would be appreciated.
Probably consists of finding local advocates, creating a website, filling out some tax forms or whatever, and not much else. Shouldn't be too hard.
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post #3 of 8
12/18/09 at 6:34pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Connemara View Post
Probably consists of finding local advocates, creating a website, filling out some tax forms or whatever, and not much else. Shouldn't be too hard.

That's the administrative part. I assume he meant how to create an effective organization assembling relevant people and creating the right network.
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post #4 of 8
12/18/09 at 6:45pm
There are groups that can help you run an nfp, the only one I am acquainted with helps groups that are already established and is based in the UK (Impetus) so no use to you, but I am sure a similar group could be found in the US and they would be well placed to offer useful advice if nothing else.
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post #5 of 8
12/18/09 at 6:50pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by CTGuy View Post
I have recently gotten really interested in local food production as well as food labeling (such as organic/GMO free, etc.). Since I have worked as a statehouse lobbyist the last few years and I am an attorney I feel like I might be able to provide some valuable services to the cause of promoting issues surrounding local agriculture.

Does anyone here have any kind of experience setting up a small trade group or something of the like? Any help would be appreciated.

Nonprofit management was one of my degree specializations in grad school, and I did a fair amount of work with them during my studies. I'm not an expert, but I'd be happy to help you out if I can. PM me if you're interested.
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post #6 of 8
12/18/09 at 6:55pm
Another thought is to find an umbrella group that you can work under, so you don't have to deal as much with the administrivia. In either case, connections definitely help --- if you start your own group, you will need a board of directors, and they're going to be your connection to the industry and the community.

There could also be an existing group that does this already, and may be looking for help.

--Andre
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post #7 of 8
12/19/09 at 9:16pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks for the good suggestions. McG- thanks for the offer. I will write you a detail with some thoughts when I have a chance to sit down next week.
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post #8 of 8
12/20/09 at 3:49am
Well you can either be more of a community organizer type, or a statehouse lobbyist type. Or dabble in both. It seems like you've got experience in the statehouse. I assume one of your goals would be something like; getting more local foods into schools. So you'll want to work your statehouse lobbyist ties, and then also find some movers and shakers in a local school system, or write some op-eds, to build some community support for local foods in school (and then get them to contact their reps). You'll probably want to organize as a 501(c)(3). That, of course, attaches a lot of strings to what you do. You'll want to become a registered lobbyist, if you aren't already. You'll also want to set up googlecheck or paypal on your website, so people can donate to you. In return, you might need to write a 6 or 12 issue newsletter to send them for becoming members. You can grow this from the attendants at local farmers markets. You should also nose around and check out community subscription agriculture services, and leverage their connections in the local food world. And then, as your base grows, you can turn some of your subscribers on to CSA as well.
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