Progressive Roundtable Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS)

In what ways is the Progressive Roundtable^SM initiative different from other progressive projects?

Progressive Roundtable^SM is a national-level initiative aimed at coordinating progressive strategy and developing marketing and communication infrastructure designed to reach out to the broader general public. It will include many different types of organizations-501(c)(3)s, 501(c)(4)s, 527s, for-profits, academics, individual consultants, etc.-that have relevant interests and capacities. It will operate in a collaborative, extensively networked, open-source fashion to include many progressive organizations and individuals that can contribute to, participate in, and benefit from improved marketing and communication of progressive ideas and values.

Who are the members of the Progressive Marketing and Communications (PMC) Working Group?

The 2006 PMC Working Group consists of approximately 60 individuals engaged in policy idea generation, marketing and market research, framing and language development and testing, communications, public relations, political and communications strategy, media production, coordination of policy and social action programs, and progressive philanthropy. All have expressed an interest in working together to develop progressive infrastructure.

What was the basis for selecting persons for the PMC Working Group?

Because the Working Group has to be highly productive, it was essential to limit the number of persons in the group. There are, without a doubt, some hundreds of persons who would have been well qualified to participate in the convening. As a practical matter, the event planners focused on inviting individuals who are widely known to be interested in progressive infrastructure and to whom they had ready access.

Why is part of the website restricted?

The restricted portion of the website is for active deliberations between the members of the PMC Working Group as they are preparing for the work of the convening itself. These sections are interactive and moderated. See the FAQ below, "How do I find out more and get involved?" for ways that you can communicate your thoughts to the Working Group.

If my organization is not represented in the convening, why should I be interested in the Progressive Roundtable^SM website?

The Progressive Roundtable^SM is focused on creating marketing, communication, and coordination infrastructure that will serve the interests of entire progressive community. The Progressive Roundtable^SM website reflects our awareness that many are likely to be interested in the outcome of this process. A report will be issued following the convening.
We also expect that the Progressive Roundtable^SM website will become an ongoing resource for the progressive community.

What is progressive infrastructure?

A political infrastructure is a framework of organizations and individuals supporting a political movement. It is capable of influencing the politics of the nation by marketing ideas and advancing a political agenda. Infrastructure organizations address multiple issues. . In the United States, a strong conservative infrastructure has developed over the past 35 years. Progressives are working to assemble the infrastructure needed to counter the "conservative movement's" network and to advance progressive ideas and policies. Commonweal Institute's paper, "Creating Progressive Infrastructure Now" explains the functions of political infrastructure, and a collection of articles about both conservative and progressive infrastructure can be seen on the Commonweal Institute's website.

What does marketing have to do with communications?

The essence of marketing is to understand one's intended audiences and to present ideas or products to them in ways that appeal specifically to those audiences. Effective communication depends on being able to express one's ideas in ways that are understood by the listener, just as effective sales of products depends upon presenting them in ways that motivate the buyer. To promote ideas, potential audiences are characterized using polling and focus groups to identify the issues that are most important to them; the language, metaphors and symbols that will most effectively convey a desired message and the communication channels that reach them most effectively.

How can I find out more and get involved?

• There will be ongoing activities after the convening, as more people become involved in building progressive infrastructure. You can sign up to receive updates about Progressive Roundtable^SM, the PMC Working Group, and progressive infrastructure.
• Visit the Progressive Roundtable^SM Resources Library to learn more about progressive infrastructure and related topics. The Resource Library is open to the public.
• Submit documents that you would like to share with others to the site moderator for possible inclusion in the Resources Library. These items might be articles, research reports, project descriptions, links to other websites-anything you consider relevant for increasing progressives' effectiveness in reaching new audiences and communicating effectively.
• If you believe your organization, or you as an individual, could become a part of progressive marketing-communication infrastructure, register it in the Progressive Roundtable^SM database (see below).
• You can also send comments and suggestions to the site moderator.

My organization seems to be working on similar issues. Can we collaborate?

Many organizations and individuals are already involved in progressive policy development, marketing, market research, framing and language development and testing, communications, public relations, political and communications strategy, media production, coordination of the communications aspect of policy and social action programs, and progressive philanthropy. All of us will benefit from knowing about each other's work. We will be able to find allies, share ideas, and work together on common projects. You can register your organization (or yourself as an individual), to become part of the Progressive Roundtable^SM's marketing-communication infrastructure database.

How can I make a donation to the work of the Progressive Roundtable^SM?

You can donate online by credit card by clicking here. Donations are tax-deductible. If you wish to make a non-credit-card donation (cash, check, stock, real estate, etc.), or if your employer will match your nonprofit donation, click here. Any amount you are able to give would be an important, and very welcome, contribution to the cause of advancing a progressive vision of America.

What is the Commonweal Institute?

The Progressive Roundtable^SM is a project of the Commonweal Institute, a 501(c)(3) multi-issue advocacy and marketing/communications organization that will use modern marketing strategies to promote progressive values to the public. The Commonweal Institute will use modern marketing methods to engage audiences emotionally and intellectually, speaking to their values, needs and concerns.

The Commonweal Institute has conducted research on the conservative infrastructure, its methods and strategies , and how it is affecting American institutions such as public schools, the civil justice system, and the philanthropic community. It has also started educational programs about these and other progressive issues, and provides strategic advice to progressive organizations.