By Jackson Hoppe, NTCA strategic outreach coordinator
It's always a joy collaborating with different groups in the rural space and finding ways to align on issues that affect rural America. As the strategic outreach coordinator at NTCA, my job is connecting the dots between the broadband policies that we advocate for and community organizations that may be good partners. By pursuing a common agenda, stakeholders can share knowledge, coordinate efforts and develop innovative approaches. Moreover, policymakers notice when stakeholders in their communities unite on an issue; it underscores how important that policy might be.
A new toolkit from NTCA highlights the importance of collaboration, and ways to collaborate with other stakeholders to advance policy priorities and strengthen communities. “Building Community Connections: A Toolkit for Stakeholder Engagement and Collaboration” offers ideas on how to approach building consensus and momentum for positive outcomes, illustrating the best ways to tell your story to both stakeholders and policymakers.
At our annual Legislative and Policy Conference, I was thrilled to have had the opportunity to moderate a powerful panel conversation on cross-sector collaboration in support of rural America. We explored what it truly means for rural organizations—from healthcare and finance to connectivity—to work together toward shared goals, echoing much of what's outlined in the toolkit. The panelists shared stories of success (and lessons from failure), offered candid insights into building trust across organizational lines, and unpacked how thoughtful coalitions can influence policy and amplify impact.
I encourage you to download the toolkit today!