God Helps Those Who Help Themselves (translated to, Don’t Rely on Someone Else to Advocate Your Livelihood)!

Have you ever heard this motto? I certainly have, as it was my mother’s favorite expression to me during my upbringing when she thought that I needed a reminder about self-initiative. Looking me straight in the eye, she would utter this with clear body posture that any excuses were not to be tried, tolerated, or accepted. In looking back, her use of the motto never was for trivial reasons; rather, it was employed to urge me to pursue my own agency regarding something important to my development or welfare. If memory serves, the motto also was frequently close in dialogue to the command “get off the couch!”

In my December Pipeline column, I asked you to place the Federal Legislative Fly-in on your calendar. So, did you? At practically every surety industry meeting that focuses, in part or in whole, on government relations matters someone exclaims “we were legislated into existence, and we can be legislated out of existence” or something to that effect (sometimes it is me saying that). I fervently believe the truth of that assertion, as I have seen many unintentional and intentional acts, whether through legislative or executive actions, serving to obfuscate, diminish, or, even, eliminate the presence of the surety product over the years. At this time of year, I often think that Larry LeClair, NASBP’s Director, Government Relations, must appreciate that the new legislative season will underscore just how valuable he is to NASBP and to the surety industry (if you read this Larry and think that you can ask for a big salary increase, just know you might receive my best impression of my mother’s “don’t mess” body posture).

The truth is that Larry, even with my part-time help, cannot shoulder the entire burden of promoting and defending the surety product on Capitol Hill and, indeed, in every state capitol. He needs and deserves help. He needs your individual agency in making sure that federal legislators and decision-makers truly appreciate the wonders that are surety bonds. Grassroots activism is the bedrock of preserving what is important and of changing that which is not, and the manifestation of that activism is being known and understood through personal presence.

I truly appreciate how busy bond producers are in serving their clients and businesses, but nothing can be more fundamental to individual professional welfare than imparting knowledge of the importance of what you do every day to those who hold legislative sway over it. Please make the commitment to come to Capitol Hill and meet with your elected federal representatives. I promise that we will do everything in our power to help you be comfortable with that endeavor through scheduling, information, and leave-behind materials.

Register for the Federal Legislative Fly-in here, and, while the NASBP block at the Kimpton George Hotel is full, see other nice hotels listed on the Fly-in website, and be sure to make your congressional office appointments here.

Show those surety professionals who have been diligent about participating in past federal legislative fly-ins that you have their back by having your own back! Build relationships in DC.

I look forward to seeing you in DC on March 29 and 30!