Imagine the Possibilities

Collector, Oct 2009 by Rubin, Karolyn

Grassroots efforts, government relations and ACA's new home in Washington, D.C.

There's nothing like the color red - it's one of the most powerful colors on the wheel. Generally speaking, when red is seen, people stop and stare as if a statement is being made. It's also a primary color (along with blue and yellow), which helps create the illusion of many other colors. But after reeling back the splashes of blue and yellow that spur hues of purple, orange and magenta, at the end of the day, it's still red.

As such, red was the most appropriate color chosen for the ribbon-cutting ceremony that recently took place at the gala grand opening of ACA International's Washington, D.C., office, located at 509 2nd Sl N.E. Though the building was originally purchased last year, a modest facelift was needed to restructure the office space and wire the building for state-of-the-art technology. These changes were necessary to not only support the needs of our members when they are in town, but to create a professional atmosphere to host political gatherings, meetings and events.

The significance of such a granthose ceremony is monumental, as it creates another important piece of ACA history. The purchase of a Washington, D.C., office was a vision shared by many of our members, who discussed, deliberated and debated details over and over like a spinning top, building up momentum during each 360-degree turn. And then last year, during ACAs 69th Annual Convention and Exposition, the discussions, deliberations and debates came to an end when the ACA Board of Directors approved the purchase of the building, which resides in the heart of Capitol Hill.

We are exactly where we need to be. We are no longer a flight or phone call away. We are walking distance from where the movers and shakers of government reside. Congress and the Federal Trade Commission (just to name a few) are welcoming us into the neighborhood. We've finally arrived! Some may say the investment is too much; others may say it is too little or not enough. I say no amount of money is too much when it comes to investing in our industry's future.

The Executive Committee and ACA staff hosted a reception to celebrate our grand opening and welcomed industry leaders from our fellow colleague associations, members of Congress and ACA members who flew in for the event and congressional meetings on the Hill.

Our showcase building, which was built in the 1890s, houses our director of federal government affairs, Adam Peterman, and our government affairs specialist and administrative assistant, Alexandra Adair.

Adam directs both legislative and regulatory advocacy efforts at the federal level and executes strategies set forth by the Legislative Council to achieve ACAs policy goals. Alexandra is tasked with communicating ACAs advocacy efforts - by creating much of the content that gets distributed to our members through print and e-mailed publications and is also responsible for making sure the office's operations run smoothly. Still fairly new to ACAs staff, Alexandra no doubt has a difficult job that she is executing magnificently.

Have you met Adam and Alexandra yet? If you haven't, you should. If you have, then you've had firsthand experience watching this dynamic duo at work. They are our eyes and ears into the backyards of members of Congress and the FTC - the same governmental bodies that help create and enforce laws and policies governing our industry. What a good place to be to provide much-needed guidance and knowledge to members of Congress. Our presence speaks volumes when we're no longer a phone call away, but instead a hop, skip and jump away.

As the association of credit and collection professionals, ACA needs to be in Washington, D.C., with all the other big players of equally important associations. However, as much as I know Adam and Alexandra love their new home, ACA staff cannot do this alone. Collectively, with member participation and contributions, strong alliances and enduring relationships on the Hill will ensue.

Calling All Members

Hello? Are you listening? Yes, I'm speaking to you! I'm calling on all of you to engage in grassroots action.

Our home in D.C. is also your home. You now have a place to hang your hat when you're in town and resident ACA staff members to guide you. Trust me, Congress knows our ACA staff very well, but we need your member of Congress to know you even better!

Each quarter, we strategically request ACA members (agency, creditor, asset buyer and affiliate members alike) to help reinforce and align ourselves with members of Congress. We call these D.C. Fly-Ins. When something of relevance is about to be put into law or when we want to encourage considerations to modify laws already in existence, our voice needs to be heard - often, loud and clear.

Your voice needs to be in the recesses of our legislators' minds when they vote. Laying the foundation with knowledge for future decisions that can ultimately affect our industry is one of the most critical roles each of you can take to be an active participant with your colleagues and ACA staff. It's Relationship Building 101. It's selling the vision, direction and future needs of our industry to those not necessarily hearing it for the first time, but hearing it from you for the first time. Members of Congress love when constituents make "house calls." Your knowledge, opinions and stories matter. You are a constituent to members of Congress - the same members who represent you and your agency back home.