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Dear Board of Directors,

Yesterday was Groundhog Day, and somehow I was not surprised that Phil, the groundhog, cast his shadow in Punxsutawney, PA early in the morning predicting six more weeks of winter. It was an appropriate metaphor following our incredible board meeting, when I dubbed 2018 as “Groundhog Year.”

For those that were able to join us – thank you! I thought it was one of our most productive meetings, helping to chart our course for what will not just be a repeat of the difficulties we faced last year – but also will include the added complexities of a volatile 2018 mid-term election. My colleagues and I were extremely grateful for your strategic guidance and savvy input (and look for a short survey on Monday for some quick feedback).

One item that is becoming more complicated since our meeting is the “Nikki Haley problem.”

* As our honoree in 2017, she is now digging in her heels on her “foreign assistance must be in America’s interest” mantra. While we all agree with that statement, she is trying to make behavior at the UN seemingly the only rational for foreign assistance – the idea that you are with us or you are against us.
* I have now confirmed that the language in the SOTU was much worse and that likely H.R. McMaster toned it down.
* Haley spoke at the GOP Retreat on Friday and released one tweet and lo and behold it was on our issue – sigh: “RT @USUN: It was great speaking to Congressional members about the threats we face in the world and how we can ensure American foreign-assistance dollars always go to serving American interests across the globe. #USA” Not helpful – and it’s already been retweeted by elected officials.
* We are on it, and will be in touch with some of you – particularly the business and the faith community (my faith too on this one).
* This quiet effort will focus on encouraging her to a) tone it down; b) talk about the positives of foreign assistance – not just this negative spin; and c) recognize that in defining what is “in our interests,” America has never nor should have just one benchmark (though she will disagree with this last point).

On a more positive note, a few more takeaways to share from our board meeting:

1. I was struck by the number of opportunities that we found to shape the debate:

* Key Administration Travel to Africa. Over the course of the next few months, Secretaries Ross and Tillerson will be in Africa, along with Senator Graham’s trip with Ivanka Trump. We will be following up on all three to find ways to advance our agenda. I will keep you posted.
* Deputy National Security Advisor Outreach. Clearly there is an important opportunity to deepen Deputy NSA Nadia Schadlow’s understanding of aid and grants and how they leverage private sector engagement. I’ve already suggested to Mark Green that he meet with Nadia, and we hope to host a follow-up meeting soon. Perhaps she will join one of the upcoming trips!
* Window Through Women and Girls. We will be in touch with those that volunteered to participate in our ‘women and girls task force’ to explore ways that the USGLC can advance our agenda through this lens. I just got a meeting with Ivanka’s team. Will keep you posted.
* Development Finance. Given the Administration’s priority + the bipartisan, bicameral interest on the development finance agenda, the USGLC agreed to look for ways to integrate this agenda into our economic development storyline. More soon.

2. As for our first priority – the Budget – thank you for your input on how to prepare for the FY19 Administration’s Budget rollout. Here is where we ended up:

* Knowing the budget proposal will look similar to last year, we agreed that we need to energize the community – no room for complacency. On Friday, February 9th, we will host a community-wide strategy session and kickoff for Leading Globally Matters Locally – breakfast at the W Hotel. Join us or send a colleague – please RSVP to acorwin@usglc.org<mailto:acorwin@usglc.org>.
* On Monday, February 12th (or whenever the Budget leaks) watch for a robust response from our military and veteran voices. As we discussed, while we were looking for something new, Members of Congress want the military voice. But we always have something new J – Generals are already lined up for cable shows and watch for powerful veteran voices from all 50 states.
* USGLC Lobby Day is set for February 28th – the same day that Secretary Tillerson will be on Capitol Hill to “explain the Budget” (not defend it, as I am told). Should be interesting. Attend if you can.
* On March 14th, we are expecting our largest National Security Advisory Council Lobby Day ever. No surprise.
* We will release a full analysis of the Budget request plus a strong statement opposing the cuts. Please be ready to either release your own statement or retweet ours.

3. As for our second priority – ensuring the 116th Congress is supportive on our agenda – I thought the meeting with Senator Van Hollen was very insightful on how to approach candidates in rural America. Once again, your input was extremely useful, and we are off and running with very ambitious goals. Here’s a quick look at confirmed state events (and it’s only January):

* 2 Senate State-wide Events – Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Mike Lee (R-UT)
* 6 House Member Events – Representatives Gallagher (R-WI), Kilmer (D-WA), McCollum (D-MN), Price (D-NC), Schweikert (R-AZ)
* 18 Candidate Briefings
* 6 In-District Meetings

4. On our longer game strategy, I appreciated your guidance on prioritizing this strategy. We settled on the following:

* Doubling Down in Our State Networks - Strengthen operations in our existing 27 states with emphasis on business, military, faith and mayors while venturing into Oklahoma, Kentucky and Michigan.
* Launching our Heartland Initiative – More time in 10 Heartland/Rustbelt states, with a pilot project in 4 states – Pennsylvania, Ohio, Iowa, and Michigan – to engage mid-size cities and policymakers outside of large urban centers.
* Launching our Conservative Media Strategy – Training and booking veterans, and other validators, to speak on national and targeted local conservative outlets.
* Jumpstart Impact 2020 – Start engaging 2020 presidential candidates now.
* Continue International Trips for Skeptics – Working on securing funding to take conservative journalists, pundits, and skeptical political advisors.
* Bolder Effort on Economic Message – Polling, outreach to impact investors/development finance community, economic tour through the Heartland, integrating development finance agenda – take all this and develop more effective ways to enhance economic message and messengers.

5. On the opinion research, your input on the messaging was very valuable. If you have opinion research that your organization/company has done or messaging you are using that we should test – please send it to Sidney at straynham@usglc.org<mailto:straynham@usglc.org>.

6. We rolled out our new “Investing in Our Team” initiative at our Friday staff meeting and it was very well received, and hopefully will contribute to the high retention rate of our stellar team. Our staff is empowered to develop and lead the initiative that includes new professional development opportunities, an internal mentoring program, skills training, and some added ways to create a healthy/happy work environment from our winning kickball team to breakfast snacks to a birthday holiday.

Last but not least, don’t forget the 2018 dates – the first of many reminders!

* Spring Board Meeting: Tuesday, May 22 (all day + dinner) – Wednesday, May 23 (half day)
* Fall Board Meeting: Tuesday, October 2 (all day + dinner) – Wednesday, October 3 (half day)
* Summit: June 18 (conference day) – June 19 (Capitol Hill day)
* Tribute Dinner: Hold December 4 and 5

Enjoy the weekend and the Super Bowl … commercials.

Liz
Liz Schrayer, USGLC