A Strategic Plan for the Great Lakes Commission

Policy Coordination and Advocacy
Our goal: The Commission helps the region speak with a common voice. The Commission provides coordination, support and advocacy on issues where there is consensus among its Members. The Commission assists and supports its Members in advocating common positions.

The Commission conducts advocacy programs and activities in coordination with other leading regional, national and international institutions. In formulating advocacy positions, the Commission welcomes opposing views.

Objective #1 of 4
Facilitate and, when appropriate, represent Members’ views on regional and U.S. federal policy and legislative initiatives.

• Facilitate communication among Members on federal and legislative priorities through discussions at Commission meetings, topic-specific workgroups, exchange of written materials and other mechanisms.
• Represent the consensus views of Members in communications to Congress, the International Joint Commission, federal agencies and other forums.
• When requested by Members, develop regional approaches for key issues that are not addressed by regional agreements or federal legislation.

Objective #2 of 4
In collaboration with others, establish regional priorities on U.S. federal legislation and funding.

• Coordinate and consult with the Council of Great Lakes Governors and other regional institutions and partners as federal legislative priorities are developed.
• Publish an annual report on regional legislative priorities and educate members of Congress on these priorities through briefings and meetings.
• Facilitate communication and coordinate advocacy activities with organizations in other regions on high priority Great Lakes issues.
• Provide policy advocacy support to the panels and task forces convened and served by the Commission, where their views are consistent with Members’ priorities.
• Advocate for necessary resources to accomplish critical Great Lakes information collection and monitoring tasks that are designed to support priority activities and measure progress toward regional goals, such as those identified by the Great Lakes Regional Collaboration.

Objective #3 of 4
Develop supporting materials and execute communication strategies to advocate Commission priorities and assist Members in advocating these priorities to U.S. federal policymakers.

• Implement and maintain a Great Lakes Legislative Priorities Database to track appropriations and authorizations important to the Commission, the Council of Great Lakes Governors and others, and provide relevant information on bills, sponsors and committees.
• Engage Members and key stakeholders in coordinated campaigns to support the Commission’s top legislative priorities.
• Identify and work with Members who can advocate on specific issues, based on special expertise or contacts with key federal policymakers.
• Organize an annual event to bring Commissioners and other stakeholders to Washington for advocacy meetings with federal policymakers.

Objective #4 of 4
Coordinate and lead programs that assist Members and others with promoting awareness and appreciation of Great Lakes values, issues and priorities among federal and international policymakers.

• Conduct a biennial Congressional tour and coordinate other opportunities for members of Congress and their staff to be briefed on key Great Lakes issues.
• Provide review, analysis and, where appropriate, advice to Members on state, provincial, national and international proposals, agreements, legislation and other policy initiatives affecting Members’ interests in the Great Lakes.
• Conduct issue briefings for regional policymakers, such as state legislators, which provide regional perspectives on alternative policy approaches and successful initiatives underway within individual jurisdictions.