As the weather gets warmer and several holidays draw nearer, community associations nationwide are planning fun and exciting events. These events are designed to bring people together, celebrate community, and inspire professionalism, effective leadership, and responsible citizenship.
Are you hosting an upcoming community event such as an outdoor movie, ice cream social, BBQ, town hall, or pool party? CAI’s Government and Public Affairs team wants to help you increase your event’s impact by inviting elected officials to attend. Connect with CAI today for help inviting your legislators to these events.
CAI encourages associations nationwide to extend invitations to their local elected officials to the myriad community events they host throughout the year. Our Constituents in Your Communities campaign is an opportunity for community associations and community association management companies to bring advocacy into their backyards. Community events are incredible opportunities for elected officials and their staff to experience the unique culture of your association and learn more about the community association industry and the issues impacting it.
Direct constituent interactions have more influence on lawmakers’ decisions than any other advocacy strategy. Inviting elected officials to these events is an easy way to build critical relationships with lawmakers and their staff and spread the word about CAI and its resources. According to the Congressional Management Foundation, Citizen-Centric Advocacy: The Untapped Power of Constituent Engagement, 94% of lawmakers said an in-person visit from a constituent would influence them on an issue they’re undecided on.
Download CAI’s Constituents in Your Communities Guide to learn more about how to invite an elected official to an event in your community, and why it’s so important.
CAI advocates for and represents the 77.1 million people living and working in America’s 369,000 community associations, according to the Foundation for Community Association Research. For nearly a decade, we’ve helped connect legislators with community associations with Constituents in Your Communities.
Elected officials are busy and have appointments booked back-to-back weeks in advance. We encourage you to let us know about events early (as soon as you know the date and location) to maximize your chances of being added to their schedule.
Want to invite an elected official to your community association event or activity? Tell us about your event and we’ll do the rest.
Author Marlee Breakstone
CAI Senior Manager of Government & Public Affairs
Reprinted with permission: https://advocacy.caionline.org/2025-ciyc/