Welcome to the Hive Five, Beekeeper Group’s new newsletter. We hope to inspire you with fresh ideas from our recent work, share industry trends and events, and help you get to know our team and what makes us buzz. Let’s get started!
Spring Training at Beekeeper Group
We always want to be at the top of our game, which means continuous growth and learning. Year-round we read industry news, attend (and host) industry conferences, and keep an eye on industry innovations. But every spring, our full team meets to just learn from each other. Leadership and staff alike present their latest client successes, tips for working efficiently and effectively, and so much more.
Watch this reel to get a POV perspective!
Empowering Youth to Advocate for Change
The Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) wanted to help youth advocates navigate the process of finding their advocacy spark and turning their passion into action. Beekeeper Group produced a 30-page illustrated toolkit, featuring youth changemaker success stories, worksheets to help youth find their passion, and step-by-step processes for building their own advocacy campaign.
Next, they’ll be playing a custom version of Political Capital, our award-winning advocacy training game to put their skills to the test. We can’t wait to see what these kids accomplish in their communities!
An Awareness Month Campaign for NAMI
For Criminal Justice Awareness Month in March, National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI) wanted to highlight the impact of the criminal justice system on people with mental illness. We were proud to help launch their new campaign “Overlooked: Stories of Mental Illness & the Criminal Justice System” to raise awareness through personal stories from the people who lived this experience. The campaign included the development of the campaign brand, messaging support, and production of the advocate stories highlighted on the site.
Post-launch, NAMI collected more than 330 stories from their advocates, had over 2,300 petition signers, and sent over 5,700 letters to Congress.
Advocacy in an Election Year
Find it hard to keep the spotlight on your advocacy campaigns in an election year? You’re not alone. Here are three key strategies to make the most of this time:
- Lean into the electoral focus through civic engagement efforts (like GOTV campaigns). This can improve voter turnout while keeping advocates active and engaged.
- Use this time develop new creative resources like asset mapping, data visualizations, or other fresh education materials. This will ensure you’re ready for the 119th Congress.
- Build up your activist communities for when you need them. Think about early recruitment and providing value, so everyone is prepared when it’s time for a call to action.
Hive Highlight. Meet Account Manager Judy Ly
Already a friend of the Hive through Women in Government Relations, Judy Ly joined our team as an Account Manager in September, 2023. Judy brings expertise in government affairs, grassroots advocacy, coalition work, and event management, which she honed in her previous role at American Association of Colleges of Nursing. Fun fact: Judy was born in Vietnam and grew up in Las Vegas! In her spare time, Judy loves to cook and bake, explore all DC has to offer, and practice her Vietnamese and Spanish skills. We’re so grateful to have Judy on the team.