David L. Bailey, publisher of the
Virginia Capitol Connections Magazine
notices a resurgence of the use of buttons
with a variety of groups at the General
Assembly. “The ability of using attractive
colors and the durability of the attachment,
so much better than a ‘stick-on’ enhances
the delivery of the messages,” Bailey said.
“Doctors come down to lobby wearing
their white coats, credit union members
wear their scarves, while our car dealers, in
order to distinguish them from other groups,
wear their large yellow buttons saying—‘Support your hometown
new car and truck dealers!’ because in almost all communities, there
is a dealer that represents generations of a family business,” says
Don Hull, president and CEO of the Virginia Automobile Dealers
Association, said.
Matt Bruning, Vice President of Government Relations at the
Virginia Bankers Association notes that the VBA holds an Annual
Banker Day in Richmond the second day of the General Assembly
session which brings in almost 400 bankers from across Virginia.
“We encourage our bankers to wear buttons that proclaim they are
‘Proud to Be a Virginia Banker’. As a show of industry unity, these
buttons send the message to elected officials that bankers are proud of
how they serve the same customers and communities those legislators
represent. Banking has unfairly been attacked as an industry recently,
so the buttons serve as a reminder that your local banker provides
important services to help homeowners, businesses and families
achieve their financial dreams for which bankers should rightfully
be proud. It also highlights the tremendous impact banks make
through their commitment to and financial support of community
organizations, local charities and efforts to improve financial literacy
in our schools. We’ve found it is an effective message that sparks
an engaging dialogue between legislators and bankers about our
industry,” Bruning said.
Political cause buttons remain mostly celluloid partially because
they are produced in small quantities and used for special meetings
such as one day rallies and fund raising events for profit and non-
profit groups.
Depending upon critical issues every year, cause groups advocate
their concerns based on national, state and local issues in their
communities that effect their organizational goals.
Cause buttons are hard to acquire from volunteer civic activists
visiting legislators and staff members to inform and educate their
groups or organization favorable or unfavorable opinion on potential
legislation.
Supporters just won’t give buttons up that easily to collectors.
Volunteers are more likely to keep their buttons as a reminder of
their efforts for their grassroots organization that they represent to
influence legislation.
For many years, Wawa and The Retail Alliance have provided
breakfast and lunch for legislators and staff for a day from their
well-known tent outside the General Assembly Building. Wawa even
celebrated this tradition with a 45th anniversary button!
Former Delegate Vincent F. Callahan, Jr. noted, “Buttons are a
traditional American magnification of support of the cause of your
choice.” Callahan, who represented the McLean area for 40 years as
a member of the House of Delegates, also remarked, “You can drink
from their group’s logo coffee cup but everybody sees you with their
group’s cause button on.”
It is certain that many volunteer supporters and lobbyists will be
back again next year promoting their cause at the General Assembly
session wearing political buttons and continuing this traditional old-
fashioned way of grassroots campaigning.
Michael E. Belefski is President of CPC CORPORATION, a
Communications and Marketing Firm specializing in Performance
Management Analysis in Business, Law and Political Systems. He
can be contacted at
.
Belefski
Groups wearing political buttons while
lobbying General Assembly legislators
during recent sessions
Lincoln was here…again
No place like home
VADA - Support your hometown
new car and truck dealers!
Museums make it happen—I Love VA Museums
Proud to be a Virginia Banker
MSV—White Coats on Call
Museums are the heart of Virginia
Wawa—We Do It Just A Little Better!
Virginia 10th Amendment Freedom Bills
Virginia’s 10th Amendment Revolution—
Richmond Tea Party
Equal Rights Amendment
I am the face of Public Transportation
Greener. Smarter. Transit Rider
Be energy Independent! Ride transit
Stop payday loans—36% equals 21 votes
Looking out for the little guy—Virginia’s Credit Unions
Virginia Wilderness Institute—Save VWI Kids First
Health Care Jobs Save Lives
Looking out for the Little Guy—Virginia’s Credit Unions
Spearhead Trails SWVA—Spearheading Job Creation
Boys and Girls Clubs—Be Great
I’m Kissable. I don’t smoke—AHA
Virginia Hemophilia Foundation
Clean Natural Gas Vehicles
Clean Energy = Virginia Jobs
I Love Trail Riding with AQHA
Who elected the EPA?
Support Tourism $2.5 = $12.5
Vote Realtor Party
Certified Registered Nurse—How do you say quality anesthesia care?
Shhh! Virginia Best Kept Secret … Tazewell County
Love by the Glass—Virginia Wine & Dine
National Multiple Sclerosis Society - I’m an MS Activist
National Federation of the Blind - Braille Readers are Leaders
American Dental Hygienists Association
Registered Dental Hygienist—Who is cleaning your teeth?
Virginia Retail Federation - Retail Survival is measured in Pennies
Virginia Centers for Independent Living
Virginia Nurses Association—The Power of a Nurse’s Voice
The Arts Build Communities - Virginians for the Arts
Thanks for TAG
Southeast Virginia Training Center - Save SEVTC
Autism Votes in Virginia
Farm Credit Bureau
I Love VCU - Alumni Association
Hampton Roads REALTORS Association -IAM1
Children’s Hospital of Richmond
Southeastern Virginia Arts Association
Patrick Henry National Memorial—Liberty or Death
AARP - American Association of Retired People
I’m the NRA and I Vote!
March of Dimes—March for Babies
4-H Clubs of Virginia
Virginia Production Alliance - Lights Action Camera!
Massey Cancer Research Saves Lives!
Jamestown 400th Celebration
Cancer is Non-Partisan
The Sunshine Coalition
Tell Dominion NO Power Towers
Virginia Independent Consumers and Farmers Association
Guns Saves Lives - VCDL
Build the Underground Tysons Corner Tunnel
Vote Yes—Virginia Bonds
Elect School Boards
7
V
irginia
C
apitol
C
onnections
, S
pring
2013
V
