Lobbying for good

After every vote has been counted, those of us committed to improving our communities will be back to fighting for racial justice, back to fighting off COVID19 and back to fighting against economic inequality. Nonprofit organizations with missions committed to the common good will be charged with these tasks. In order to make largescale changes, nonprofits must use their unique platforms to get involved in the civic discourse.

Because corporations have loud voices, capitalism often trumps democracy. Nonprofits can reclaim democracy from the corporations by showing up.

Nonprofit lobbying and advocacy are not only legal but also critical to achieving their missions and making democracy work. Nonprofits add value to the community by investing in the future.

Longterm changes are the most valuable and only possible through a commitment to education. Organizations can educate their communities about their rights as ordinary citizens to participate in advocacy.

While we sit here practicing our patience, waiting for every vote to be counted, we are reminded that change is slow. Nonprofits committed to that slow fight for change must commit to educating our communities and making lobbying an integral part of our purpose from now.

Patricia Andrews, San Jose