Posted on 10/15/2013 8:14:25 AM PDT by Cincinatus' Wife
An advocacy group for K Street is moving forward with a rebranding effort that will remove the word “lobbyist” from its name.
The board of the American League of Lobbyists (ALL) on Tuesday announced it has recommended to members that the group change its name to the Association of Government Relations Professionals.
The group says the board “overwhelmingly” backed the name change as a way to more accurately “represent the range of associated professions involved in the government affairs, lobbying and public affairs community.”
ALL officially began moving forward with the rebranding effort last month, as first reported by The Hill. Board members voted initially to recommend a name change, but said the discussions would be taken in “baby steps.”
Monte Ward, the president of the trade group, said he is thrilled about the “evolutionary change.”
“[We] look forward to serving more effectively all our current and future members,” he said in a statement.
The group’s board also approved a “tag-line” to compliment the proposed new title: “Voice of the Lobbying, Public Policy and Advocacy Professions,” an effort to retain its roots as a K Street group.
Members will soon have a chance to approve the proposed changes, ALL said. In order to move forward, the organization needs two-third of its 1,300 members endorse the board’s recommendations.
ALL was founded more than 30 years ago, and has since worked to promote the lobbying industry as an above-board profession protected by the First Amendment.
Ward says that the group’s makeup has shifted, and that barely half of its members are now registered lobbyists, with many reporting other kinds of political activity – including grassroots advocacy, the management of political action committees, consulting and public affairs.
“We first noticed this trend in 2000 during a strategic planning process, but have seen it accelerated and more pronounced in recent years,” Ward said in a statement.
“Let there be no doubt, we will always retain the missions of defining and defending the role of lobbyists, of protecting everyone’s First Amendment rights to ‘seek redress of grievances,’ and of leading the way to ensuring that our colleagues adhere to the highest ethical standards,” he continued.
If the name change is approved , the rebranding will also include changes to the website, new networking opportunities and services for members which “fully embraces that role and ensures that AGRP will remain the premier voice of the government relations and lobbying professions,” according to the group.
Just call them “Staffers”.
Most staffers in DC are little more than in house lobbyists anyway.
Change it to bribery conduit specialist...
They should go with “American League of Leeches”. That way, they won’t even have to change their acronym.
“A rose by any other name . . .”
Typical leftist move. When the name gets a bad rap change it to something less offensive. I don’t know something like progressive works I guess. Or how about gay.
Turdblossum was already taken.
They are scum and so are their families, neighbors, friends and assocs.!
Prostitutes were offended, and rightfully so.
Just call them “Mouchers.” Named after Wesley.
The name “Washington Redskins” may soon be available. Sounds fitting to me.
Escort always sounds better than prostitute.
Speaking of lobbyists, did you know that Kathleen Sibileus’ first job was as a lobbyist for the Kansas Trial Lawyers Association? Wonder why this wasn’t mentioned during her nomination? Hum.
Yes. A "better" brand.
“K Street Whore” is an appropriate substitute.
A rose by any other name... or in this case a turd ...
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