For years, our members have requested assistance and guidance in the area of communications. And although we have always been able to connect state groups with resources and provide some useful advice, we simply weren’t equipped to offer comprehensive communications support.

Until now.

Just three months ago, Jace Woodrum joined the Federation team as Director of Communications, and already, he has offered our members a critical level of strategic support -- from messaging to press outreach to digital media.

Here’s just a small sampling of the ways Jace is making a big impact:

• A stickler for smart strategic planning, he’s working with Equality Utah to develop a communications plan for using earned media, paid media, and digital media as a part of their campaign to pass a nondiscrimination law in the 2014 legislative session.
• After years of serving as Director of Communications at One Colorado, Jace knows what it takes to succeed at a state-based advocacy organization. So he’s lending that expertise and insight to MassEquality as they work to recruit a rockstar Communications Manager to elevate their brand.
• In partnership with Small Business Majority and the Movement Advancement Project, Jace orchestrated a plan for the multi-state release of a poll showing overwhelming support for nondiscrimination policies among small business owners. He assisted Equality Ohio, Equality North Carolina, Equality Pennsylvania, and PROMO with the roll-out of poll’s findings in their states.
• For several months, Jace has served as an interim communications staffer for Equality Pennsylvania -- managing their online organizing and media relations -- as they’ve searched for a permanent Communications Director.
• Always available by phone and email, Jace has worked with a multitude of state groups who reach out with questions about messaging, requests for him to review an op-ed or press release, and asks for a moment of his time for brainstorming or strategizing.

As the strategic partner to the states, I’ve always believed it was our job at the Federation to help our members build a strong movement for equality in the communities we call home. We can win everywhere -- even in the tough places.

The expansion of our communications capacity through Jace has better equipped us to provide the support that state groups need to do the important work of changing hearts and minds and engaging our base. As the political landscape continues to change, and our movement continues to evolve, I hope that our members will reach out to Jace -- and all the members of our team -- with questions or requests. We’re here to help you win, at every level, in every community.