Advocacy is one of those things that nearly everyone has heard of but may not fully understand. It can come across as complicated, overly political, or even out of reach for everyday businesses. The reality, though, is much simpler. And in many cases, the biggest barriers to engagement aren’t actual obstacles, they’re just common misconceptions.

There are a few of these misconceptions that come up again and again, both inside and outside our industry. The first step in helping our members get involved in advocacy is making sure they understand what it is, what it isn’t, and feel comfortable with the process. So, in the interest of a light Friday read, here are five quick advocacy myths worth clearing up – for us and for our members.

Myth #1: “Advocacy is just lobbying and lobbying is shady.”
Reality: Advocacy is, first and foremost, about education and relationships.

The vast majority of what we do is helping policymakers understand how their decisions affect real businesses, real employees, and real communities. That often looks like conversations, site visits, and being a reliable source of information; not backroom deals.

In fact, most elected officials want to hear from industries like ours they just don’t always know who to call. So, it’s up to us to reach out to them.

Myth #2: “My business (or industry) is too small to matter.”
Reality: Being local is exactly what gives our voice weight.

Tree care companies are employers, service providers, and community partners in every state and nearly every Congressional district in America. When owners and operators speak up about workforce challenges, safety regulations, or the impact of storms and utility policy, it carries credibility that national voices can’t replicate.

And because our industry is often underrepresented in policy discussions, when we do engage, it stands out.

Myth #3: “Advocacy only matters when there’s a problem.”
Reality: The best advocacy happens before there’s a crisis.

It’s human nature to engage when something goes wrong, whether it’s a regulatory issue, workforce constraint, or insurance challenge.

But the reality is, the strongest outcomes come from relationships that are built before those moments. When policymakers already know who we are and what we do, they’re much more likely to pick up the phone or avoid unintended consequences in the first place.

A quick note on progress (and why engagement still matters)

We’ve seen some encouraging progress recently in our engagement with OSHA, particularly in continuing to elevate the unique realities of tree care work.

Through ongoing conversations, feedback, and industry input, we’ve been able to reinforce the importance of practical, workable approaches to safety and compliance; ones that reflect what actually happens in the field, not just what looks good on paper.

That said, this is exactly the kind of issue that underscores why sustained advocacy matters.

There’s still more work ahead to ensure that evolving guidance and enforcement approaches truly align with our industry’s needs, especially when it comes to worker safety, training expectations, and how standards are interpreted on job sites.

Progress doesn’t happen all at once and it doesn’t happen without consistent engagement. This is a good reminder that showing up early and staying engaged over time is what helps shape better outcomes.

Myth #4: “You have to be political to get involved.”
Reality: You just have to be willing to share your experience.

This isn’t about partisanship. It’s about helping decision-makers understand what it takes to run a tree care business today, like hiring and retaining a skilled workforce, navigating safety requirements, managing costs, and keeping crews productive and protected.

Those are real-world insights that cut across party lines.

Myth #5: “It’s too complicated, I wouldn’t even know where to start.”
Reality: That’s exactly why TCIA exists.

Nobody expects business owners, or staff, to become policy experts overnight. That’s Advocacy’s job.

Whether it’s providing context on issues, helping coordinate outreach, or supporting engagement through efforts like VFT-PAC, we’re here to make this work accessible and manageable.

And in many cases, the most impactful steps are also the simplest; sharing your story, responding to an outreach, or opening your doors for a conversation.

What this means for our work

When we talk about advocacy at TCIA, whether it’s grassroots engagement or supporting candidates who understand our industry, this is what we’re really talking about: Making sure the people shaping policy decisions have a clear, accurate understanding of what it takes to operate in tree care today.

There’s nothing complicated or controversial about that. But it does require participation.

As we continue this work, one thing remains clear: staying connected to our advocacy efforts isn’t just helpful; it’s essential. The more informed and aligned we are as a team, the better positioned we are to guide our members and supporters toward meaningful, constructive action, whether that’s sharing their story, engaging with policymakers, or supporting efforts like VFT-PAC.

Advocacy works best when it’s consistent, coordinated, and grounded in real-world experience. That’s exactly what we strive to deliver.

Thanks again for your support in moving this important work forward. Have a great long weekend!