79 – Taking a Stand (Part 1)

In today’s episode, Peter and Sonny delve into our chapter’s legacy in political advocacy. Over the last 50 years, we have taken a stance on what we think is right, and because of it, our voice is respected. This is the reason why Vice President Pence called ABC the Marine Corps of American Politics. Even those politicians who disagree with us still respect us, which shows that our stance on things is solid and established.

Also, the first person to email The Obvious explaining why Peter rang the bell will win a The Obvious Podcast tumbler just like the one Peter and Sonny have in the show (sans your name). 

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Transcript

Sonny Maken 0:09

Welcome to the Obvious Podcast. This is episode number 79. I'm Sonny Maken. I'm the CEO at ABC Florida East Coast.

Peter Dyga 0:17

And I'm Peter Dyga, president and CEO at ABC Florida East Coast.

Sonny Maken 0:21

You are listening or watching the Obvious Podcast, where all opinions expressed are our own, unless we say otherwise.

Peter Dyga 0:30

Love the show. We ask you to subscribe on any major podcast platform or watch us in action on YouTube. Follow the Obvious Podcast on TikTok, Instagram, X, and TrueSocial. All the links you need are in the show notes. I understand check the TikTok back and forth in comments too.

Sonny Maken 0:47

Yeah, TikTok has really lit up, as the kids would say.

Peter Dyga 0:54

And it didn't occur to me until recently, a conversation we were having with one of our volunteer leaders, that they were like, how can you follow the show on TikTok? Well, you know, because TikTok's limited to write a certain number of characters or words or something. So what you do is you go there and you find the most controversial thing said in 20 minutes with a link to with a with a link to uh subscribing to the podcast. So any of it.

Sonny Maken 1:17

Or you can just go and search the obvious on TikTok and you can find it.

Peter Dyga 1:21

Anyway, reach out to us anytime at the obvious at abc eastflorida.com. And if you're enjoying the ride, we ask you to help others find us by leaving a review wherever you listen.

Sonny Maken 1:32

So I do want to say, since we're talking about TikTok, uh two things. I do want to give a props out to our Mr. Director who does a really good job uh cutting clips and putting clips on there. Um you know, he tends to pick the stuff that is controversial. Not that we're we're very controversial. We don't say a lot of controversial things on this show.

Peter Dyga 1:49

Yeah. Do we have a contract, by the way, with him? You know, because I understand, you know, once you get too big for your britches and people realize that's a really well-produced show, then all of a sudden, you're gonna have to get some sort of exclusivity agreement signed. Yeah.

Sonny Maken 2:02

So along with an NDA. Um The other thing was uh I am I am very glad that TikTok is not owned by um at least partially by American companies. Right.

Peter Dyga 2:13

So yeah. Another great achievement. Right. In my book or another show. Another show. I got a good long list we can go over. It's an election here, so all right. Sounds like a good future topic. That's right. The difference between uh actions and words. Actually, with the um the the mystery of um podcast production could actually be the topic of a previous podcast.

Sonny Maken 2:40

Yeah.

Peter Dyga 2:41

We don't even know it.

Sonny Maken 2:43

I wish we had picked the subject matter for a 58th episode because at ABC we're celebrating our 58th year. 58th year. Yeah, this chapter. This chapter, yeah. I mean the national organization is 76 years. 76 years. All right. So at 58, um by the way. Happy Friday. Happy what what are we talking about today? I'm gonna do this. All right, there we go. We're talking about that's that's Peter's mystery.

Peter Dyga 3:10

I think that's it. I think that's the key. We should we could do a whole topic on how to ring a bell. First person to email the obvious at abceflorida.com about what they think the bell is. The first person.

Sonny Maken 3:23

You will get this beautiful obvious mug. Or t-shirts with our name. By the way, what do you think of that little banner we have behind us? Yeah, it's clever. Looks good, right?

Peter Dyga 3:32

Yeah, sure.

Sonny Maken 3:33

Yeah, sure.

Peter Dyga 3:36

Looks great. People worked very hard on that. It looks great. Uh, you know, you not you never think you look good in whatever. I mean, it's a cartoon. It doesn't really look a time. Okay, you got a point. It's a cartoon.

Sonny Maken 3:47

So it looks great. All right, so today's episode actually good. I do too. I think it's it's very uh you'll be seeing serious. Hold on, before we get serious, if we're gonna be going to ABC events, you will be seeing that. And if you don't, let us know, and then we'll have to talk to some some of our staff.

Peter Dyga 4:01

Look for the trading cards coming to us.

Sonny Maken 4:05

There's no trading cards coming.

Peter Dyga 4:07

That'd be kind of cool. That would be cool. But people do too. We have our director of communications and our director director, and our we could put the uh entire ABC team on it. Don't worry, this is not going to our head at all. So we did seriously, we have a serious topic we wanted to talk about today, right?

Sonny Maken 4:23

I do. So what what really um got me thinking was the fact that since we're celebrating our 58th uh anniversary this year, right? And one of the things ABC is really well known for and famous for is its political advocacy. I mean, I I don't want to use the term political power or political capital, but our you know, our advocacy has been and it's pertinent.

Peter Dyga 4:48

It's uh you know, it's an election year and some really big elections. So two in particular in Florida. Governors. Uh we have our governor and one of our senators, I think, that we have to do that. Oh, yeah, Ashley Moody is a U.S. Senator, so one of two from the state. And then, of course, all the congressional people, all the House members, a third of the Senate members, you know. So anyway, it's a big year. It's a part of our I use this term a lot, pedigree, right? About who we are and and whatnot.

Sonny Maken 5:14

So here's my here's my hypothesis, and you can agree or disagree or take it apart or or solidify it, right? Okay. The ABC's brand, ABC is political power, ABC's influence is rooted in the fact that over the last 50 years, ABC has taken a stand on issues. That we don't dilly-dally or wishy-washy, we don't boat, we don't ever boat sides an issue.

Peter Dyga 5:43

Can't say it enough, in my opinion. We've said it a lot, but yes, absolutely, 100%. Right. You're much more respected. You know, we've talked about the fact that some leaders at very high places in this country have called ABC the Marine Corps of, you know, that's not because the Marine Corps of American politics, it's not because we don't take a stand, it's not because we're not courageous. Right. It's not because we're not first in fights or battles, you know, sticking our finger to the wind and finding out what direction to go. Right. So what I mean. You know, I don't know, tendencies, you know, or very strong polls.

Sonny Maken 6:18

It's part of the DNA, you know. And I think one of the things we don't often talk about is one of the biggest benefits of consistently taking a stand, which is consistent with the values of the organization, is the fact that even those who disagree with you will respect you. Because they always know where you stand. Right? Because I've had lots of conversations with lots of politicians who know they will not get our support, but they respect the fact that we're taking a principled position.

Peter Dyga 6:46

And I've always been a believer, and I'll say it today, and if they're the type that are going to hold it against you and be vengeful or vindictive, quite frankly, I didn't ever want them as a friend. I mean, that's the way I feel.

Sonny Maken 6:56

Well, they also have short careers, they don't last long. Agreed. Agreed. So they they are in and out very quickly. And somehow the American voter knows that. All right. I mean, there's exceptions. I mean, I can think of Chuck Schumer like that.

Peter Dyga 7:08

So anyway, it's in an you know, being a uh again, a big election year where we we do a lot. Right. We're not just your typical, we've talked a lot about this, organization that makes its you know, $500 or $1,000 contribution and then moves on. Uh we not only go beyond that, but it, you know, we're also, you know, and I can think of other organizations that again stick the finger in the wind, whoever they think is going to be the front runner. I mean, there were some construction associations that um you know endorsed, you know, Hillary in the past. And you know, when there were the the choices were much anyway, much more c much more clear. So, but they were sticking their finger in the wind because I don't know how many people realize or recall the prevailing uh thought was she was a wall she was gonna walk away with things. And so it's like we better get on board, right? I mean, that's the thinking. That's the kind of thinking that you know generally has not been associated with us. That is the opposite of taking a stand. Of taking a stand. Right. You know, so in any event, and it's probably important to you know reiterate those things, you know, why is it important, you know, for us, you know, as an organization? We wanted to talk a little bit about because we love talking about governance here.

Sonny Maken 8:18

We do. If you haven't seen episode number 77, that will give you some insight into how we um how we do governance.

Peter Dyga 8:27

So anyway, I didn't know did you use was there any other direction you were immediately wanted to go in? Because I wanted to ask you, like, for example, why do we have agendas for our board meeting, for our committee meetings? Why why do government bodies, you know, have agendas? Why does anyone have an agenda for a meeting? What's the point of the agenda?

Sonny Maken 8:47

Well, before you answer that, or before I attempt to answer it, I think that question is kind of related to what I was gonna ask, which is how do you take a stand?

Peter Dyga 8:54

Okay, right.

Sonny Maken 8:56

How do you how do you determine what issues matter? How do you determine what issues don't matter? Where does that sort of feedback come from? I think it's related to your question.

Peter Dyga 9:06

You're asking me? You know, how how we determine that? Yeah. How we take a stand?

Sonny Maken 9:10

So um do you want me to like get in the the real weeds and the No You can get the real weeds, you can kind of start with our sort of merit-based philosophy. You know, you can start there and do the website.

Peter Dyga 9:22

Yeah, let's go. Everything is um for us is based on alignment with our values and our mission statement. Right. You know, which again, it's not just uh in a statement that was established years ago that isn't periodically reaffirmed, which we do, so um and tweak and whatnot. So um until that's changed, you know, that should be the guiding factor, you know, in in most of these decisions. Now for us, it's you know, when it comes to elected officials, uh, you know, if you have an incumbent running for a race, um, that incumbent's gonna have a record. And um what we should be concerning ourselves with is how well is that record aligned with with our priorities. Yeah. Not any one member's priorities, quite frankly, but the priorities of the association and the priorities of the industry as a whole, right? As established, you know, in our committees and board meetings and whatnot. So, you know, any but any elected uh any incumbent official, you know, you're gonna want to do that. Uh, you know, when races are more open, you don't have an incumbent, you don't necessarily have a record to look at, then you need to ask them, you know, and we have our own questionnaires, you know, where we try to get at. Um, you know, and again, it's true, and some people, uh, every time, every year, when we have uh candidate interviews and whatnot, um, they could they can lie, quite frankly. Of course. You know, it's not difficult to find out where ABC is coming from. And if you want, again, this gets back to an earlier point. If they're willing to do that, uh, you know, quite frankly, there's they'll never get our support again. Right. You know, so um but in any event, the point of all that is just trying to ascertain how well aligned they are with our values and our mission statement. Right. Right. And our objectives, whether they be at the local level, the state level, or the federal level. So um what am I missing?

Sonny Maken 11:11

How do how do people know what our values are?

Peter Dyga 11:14

Well, they certainly can ask. They certainly can look it up. They can look at it behind us. They can see it. They can look at read our bylaws, they can look at our code of ethics.

Sonny Maken 11:21

Our values are not hidden. I mean, they're plastered everywhere.

Peter Dyga 11:24

So you know, at the website. Um Thank you, Mr. Producer. So so yes, uh the values are certainly there. I think people know about the mission uh to help our members win work and deliver that work safely, ethically, and profitably. Profitably. Um, um the merit shop is at the core, you know, of our mission. Meritocracy, you know, if you will. That's right. Competition is good for everybody. Yep. Yep.

Sonny Maken 11:48

So anyway, so did that get at the that it did. So that leads me to your question. Why do we have agendas, right? And when you were talking about that, when you asked that question, my first thought was, you know, our board meetings, our committee meetings, you know, every meeting we have here with our volunteer leaders has an agenda. So I would love for you to tell me why do we have an agenda. Sure, it's great, great.

Peter Dyga 12:12

And you know, it's not sometimes you do something as a best practice or as uh something that you know really goes well beyond ABC or even the nonprofit world or business world, right? You know, just uh organizing human behavior, you know, in a in a lot of ways. So um and you may do it even though the some of the principal reasons why you do it may never come up, you know. But the real reason for having an agenda is so that your meetings are organized.

Sonny Maken 12:37

Right.

Peter Dyga 12:38

You know, you don't want them to evolve into chaos. Certainly. You know, and that's why you know the agenda should be coordinated with you know the staff and the the volunteer leadership, the chair of the committees or chair of the board in developing an agreed upon, you know, uh process and agenda for that meeting. Right. You know, because otherwise it's you know, you're you could have someone uh bring a particular interest, you know, that wasn't agended and can derail the meeting. And it happens a lot, you know, quite frankly.

Sonny Maken 13:07

Because we, and I I mean it's not just obviously agendas aren't unique to us, but we are cognizant of the fact that we are taking up the time of volunteer leaders and you want that time that they are here to be productive, right? So and rewarding. And rewarding. Yep.

Peter Dyga 13:23

You know, and if you get into just a d devolution of, you know, what whatever. So in any event, so that's that's the real number one top of the whatever why, you know, I think you have an agenda. Now that doesn't mean, you know, if if uh you want to make sure something's discussed, then that's that's why you have a chairman. That's why you have staff. You make sure you reach out to them and say, hey, I would like to, and you know, we can plan for it accordingly, time-wise, and also whatever kind of preparation needs to go to actually either have that conversation or have it at an appropriate time. You know, so that's the point. You know, and you want to stay on agenda so you get through the you know, the purpose of the meeting and uh things that you wanted to achieve, you know, and whatnot.

Sonny Maken 14:02

So how would you handle like a like a um a volunteer leader who isn't listening to the chairman or listening to staff or yeah, that's a you know, that's a tough one.

Peter Dyga 14:13

Yeah, you know, that's a that's a tough question, you know, over the years. So um, you know, somebody that doesn't listen at all, I mean, it's just has, you know, unfortunately.

Sonny Maken 14:22

Or their own person, pardon the pun, but their own personal agendas. That's exactly right.

Peter Dyga 14:26

There's a reason why there's a pun about it. Because yeah, they've got their own personal agenda. They don't have the group's agenda. Right. Or the organizational agenda. So, you know, and by the way, you know, we've oftentimes in our agendas, you know, you might put comments to the good and welfare, you might have a just a general section, which is fine. You know, if you want to you know, that would be an appropriate place uh to have that, and it would have, you know, obviously limitations as well. So we for the most part, though, like most organizations operate under a set of rules, you know, Roberts Rules and Voters or you know, the chairman has an awful lot of power, you know, and and people have to respect that power, you know, be recognized by the chair, you know, and can be called out of order if it's something that's not on the agenda or put into the appropriate part of the agenda. We'll talk about that later when it comes to open business or whatever. Um, you know, and limiting, putting whatever limitations need to be put on there, you know, uh time-wise. So any event. Agendas aren't just uh checkbox, right? Right? There's a practical uh application of why we have agendas at meetings and uh like GPS, right?

Sonny Maken 15:25

So it tells you where you're going.

Peter Dyga 15:27

Sure, sure.

Sonny Maken 15:28

Yep. And then how do you handle like um different political um opinions? So in the sense of uh how do you handle like well, let's say four people want to endorse one guy, five people want to endorse another guy, four people are like don't endorse anyone.

Peter Dyga 15:43

And we've we've talked a little bit about that here in this show. By the did I ring the bell earlier, by the way? You did. Okay, you did. I just want to make sure because I could I could be ringing it throughout a lot, I think. You could be ringing it this whole time. So that's right. We asked people to email us, didn't we? We did, yeah. And they got a $25 gift card. Yeah, Max gift card. So first person, timestamped whenever it comes in. So um we've talked, I think, on and off today and in previous podcasts, even, you know, I think about Oh, you know what?

Sonny Maken 16:09

I would love for you to define conflict of interest because people have one perception of what it means. Sure. And the reality is sort of very different. So I would love for you to define it.

Peter Dyga 16:19

So what are you the general perception of conflict of interest, people's attention usually turns towards financial. You know, it's like, am I getting some kind of a deal or steering some kind of insider deal? And and sure. Uh that's oftentimes uh what you want to uh keep in mind. But basically anything can be a conflict of interest if you're putting your own personal interests above the organization's interests or the interest of the actually a profound um definition. Well, you're putting your own personal interests ahead of the organization's interests. And it has nothing to do with money, just your personal interests.

Sonny Maken 16:55

Okay.

Peter Dyga 16:55

You know, so to to answer your question about, you know, we all have different opinions about candidates, we all have different opinions about the timing of political endorsements. Yeah. We all have different political opinions about um process, perhaps. Yeah. You know, we all have different opinions about the most effective ways of exerting influence. Yep. Or growing influence. Yeah. Um, the real question is not, you know, about again about personal opinions, but what's in the best interest and pursuing the uh strategic goals that have been established for the organization. Right? So anyway, that being said, let's put a little f meat or flesh on that bone. Let's do it because we're running out of time. Are we? Oh my gosh. Um I think uh side additional conversation we have to have and and all this and conflict of interest and whatnot is also about the role, if you will, of um staff, yeah. The role of professionals that we may hire. You know, we have an awful lot. Well, I don't say an awful lot. It is really an awful lot, but you know, we have a significant number of uh significant level of commitment to to different contract lobbyists association.

Sonny Maken 18:06

Let me interrupt you. What I think we should do, we should probably do a part two of this episode because I think there's a lot more to talk about. And I certainly don't want to rush us and I don't want to rush um our audience. So let's do that. We'll come back and we'll do a part two next Friday and then we'll talk a little bit more about the role of um professional staff.

Peter Dyga 18:23

Yeah. Um spend money as an organization, maybe hiring expertise, you know, to give opinions and input and whatnot and what the role of that is in the process. Uh we'd like to talk a little bit about that as well. Right.

Sonny Maken 18:35

We'll do that in the next episode. Yeah, we'll do it in the next episode. All right. Well, thank you for listening and honoring us with your time. We'll look forward to uh sharing part two of this episode with you next week. A two-parter. Pretty cool.

Peter Dyga 18:46

So for comments, send us an email at the obvious at abc isflorida.com.

Sonny Maken 18:50

Don't forget if you know the bell.

Peter Dyga 18:51

First email we get on this episode, you can get a $25 MX gift card. That's right. All right. Until next time. Ciao.