You don’t have to be an expert, but know where to find one.
Published March 5, 2013
By Jim Thompson
North Carolina is faced with great challenges and new opportunities that require thoughtful, considerate debate. Now more than ever our lawmakers and government workers need access to reliable information on a host of issues crucial to the future of our great state.
Sen. Phil Berger said it best when he addressed new members of the 2013 NC Legislature. Berger said that one of the biggest challenges of a newly elected official is all of a sudden you are expected to be an expert on everything. And as we all know, it is impossible for one person to be an expert on everything.
That’s why it’s so important for our lawmakers and leaders to connect with subject matter experts to ensure smart public policy is being formed. There is no better resource than North Carolina’s professional and trade associations.
Association Executives of North Carolina (AENC) members are the collective voices of business and industry throughout the state. These organizations have in-depth knowledge of the issues facing every market segment in the North Carolina economy. AENC members are “Where to Go When You Need to Know,” and we encourage our lawmakers and leaders to connect with them frequently.
We also invite engaged citizens and members of the press to connect with our members for informed perspectives. One quick and easy way to do so is by visiting the Web site AENCisWheretoGo.org for a directory of AENC member associations.
So to Sen. Berger’s point, members of the North Carolina General Assembly don’t have to be experts on every subject matter, but it is good to know where to find them!
Jim Thompson is the Executive Director of AENC
AENCisWheretoGo.org
March 5, 2013 at 3:35 pm
Rip Arrowood says:
I was under the impression this was the role of ALEC for the GOP in NC.
March 8, 2013 at 8:27 am
Jim Thompson says:
Rip - ALEC is a political group that promotes conservative ideas. AENC is a non-partisan group and is made-up of business and trade associations. We don't support any particular party or ideal. Our members span all business and industry from REALTORS to Social Workers. Our goal is to encourage government officials to reach-out to our various associations to gather information to help them make good public policy for NC.
Jim Thompson, CAE, IOM
Executive Director
AENC
March 5, 2013 at 8:08 pm
dj anderson says:
Is AENC considered a lobby? Does AENC wait until called upon to advise politicians?
March 7, 2013 at 11:39 am
Jim Thompson says:
DJ - Thank you so much for your comment. AENC isn't a registered lobbyist, we are a professional association whose members are the staff for the professional/trade associations in North Carolina.
Our role is to educate government officials on the value of reaching out to associations to seek information on public policy decisions they have to make. Our role is not to advise politicians only to inform them of the resources available through our over 300 associations in NC. Hope that helps answer your question.
Take care,
Jim Thompson, CAE, IOM
Executive Director
Association Executives of North Carolina
