CAI Advocacy Tips: Harnessing the Power of Social Media

At CAI, we know that advocacy is not one-size-fits-all. There is no single correct way to be an effective advocate. Each situation warrants different approaches, and CAI often employs several methods of communication in grassroots efforts to keep members aware and engaged. Each and every community association advocate across the country has a place in our movement and an opportunity to deepen their engagement and broaden their advocacy skills by participating in CAI’s advocacy work.

Social media advocacy is an essential tool for mobilizing communities and homeowners, amplifying impactful messages, and engaging directly with decision-makers. Check out these tips and resources from CAI.

Communicate Directly with Elected Officials at Every Level

Many local, state, and federal elected officials use social media to share important information with their constituents directly. This information can include upcoming events and town halls, reactions to current events, legislative analysis, positions, updates, and more. As an advocate, you can use social media to communicate with your legislators in the same way when advocating for legislation that aligns with CAI’s public policy positions. CAI members’ social media commentary should be in alignment with these public policy positions as well.

One benefit of using social media to communicate with your elected officials is the immediate and direct nature of it. If a legislator or a member of their staff is monitoring social media and sees a message directed toward or mentioning them, they may engage with and/or respond to it in real-time. Legislators appreciate direct interactions with their constituents and often turn to social media as a quick and easy way to engage those living and working in their districts and communities.

Follow these instructions to connect with your elected officials on social media:

1. 1. Use CAI’s legislator lookup tool to find out who represents you at the state and federal levels.
   2. Visit x.com, search their name, and follow them. Note: They might have multiple accounts associated with their office and campaign(s) for election. As CAI is a nonpartisan organization, we generally avoid interacting with political candidates regardless of party. If the legislator is already in office and seeking re-election, we can engage with them in their capacity as a sitting legislator rather than as a candidate.
   3. Tip: Set up alerts to stay up to date on communications from them and their offices.

Make a Difference – Amplify CAI Campaigns in Your State and Beyond

When CAI launches a campaign in your state or at the federal level, you are encouraged to use social media as a tool to amplify the work, educate your networks, and encourage widespread participation. When you receive a call to action from CAI or an industry peer, complete the “ask” and then take your advocacy a step further by taking a few minutes to:

1. 1. Check CAI’s official social media accounts to see if we’ve posted about the campaign. If we have, share the post(s) with your networks to help spread the word.
   2. If CAI has not posted about the campaign yet, craft your own post based on the call-to-action you received. Remember to include the link to the campaign and tag CAI in your post.
   3. Make sure you “tag” your legislators’ official accounts in your social media posts! This increases the likelihood they will see and/or respond to it. If the campaign is directed toward a particular legislator or committee, make sure you tag them.
   4. Use CAI’s hashtags #WeAreCAI, #LoveWhereYouLive, and #LoveWhereYouWork to join global conversations on the community associations industry.

Beyond active campaigns, CAI has a plethora of valuable resources for you to share with your networks via social media. Consider posting about CAI’s legislative tracking map, public policy positions, case law database, or this advocacy blog. We recommend posting links to these resources at least a couple times a week to ensure your friends, family, and colleagues are aware of and able to utilize them.

Follow and Engage with CAI’s Social Media Accounts

CAI has a presence across the major social media platforms with influential members, mainstream media, legislators, and other key stakeholders following our accounts. We leverage these social media channels to maximize our efforts to advocate on behalf of you and your neighbors. CAI members and advocates are encouraged to amplify social media activity and engage with these accounts. Below is information about CAI’s organizational social media channels:

• Twitter/X: @CAIsocial and @CAIadvocacy
• Facebook: CAISOCIAL
• LinkedIn: Community Associations Institute
• Instagram: @CAISocial

Tips from CAI: Advocating on Social Media and Crafting an Effective Post

1. Attach images and/or videos to make your post more interesting.
2. Refer to CAI’s public policy positions for language to use on any given topic of concern.
3. Use hashtags to ensure your voice is included in online conversations pertaining to community association issues. Note: CAI uses #WeAreCAI, #LoveWhereYouWork, and #LoveWhereYouLive to connect our messaging across social media platforms. Advocates are encouraged to do the same.

Connect with Your Local CAI Chapter and Legislative Action Committee (LAC)

Most chapters and many state LACs also have dedicated social media channels to help spread the word about upcoming events, legislative positions and updates, calls to action, fundraising asks, and more.

Get started today! Visit our Action Center to see what issues CAI is advocating for on behalf of community associations at the state and federal levels and sign up to be notified about key legislation and advocacy campaigns in your state.