I applaud the Cincinnati business and community leaders who traveled to Washington last week to improve our city's visibility on Capitol Hill. And I am thrilled that the Chamber of Commerce and others realize the importance of setting local priorities and presenting a unified front to our lawmakers. But I want to remind our leaders not to forget their roots.

If business leaders want funding to replace the Brent Spence Bridge and tax credits to help remake Fountain Square, they can't forget about the regular people who will benefit. They need to be part of this campaign, too.

Business leaders like the people quoted in John Byczkowski's story ("Congress will be hearing from us," April 18) can open the door to the offices of elected officials. But it is important that business and community leaders remember to enlist taxpayers as well.

Grass-roots activism is most effective when lawmakers hear from "regular people" who have a vested interest. In this case, I'm talking about the downtown neighborhood organizations, mom-and-pop businesses and commuters who would benefit from a new bridge or a refurbished Fountain Square. The challenge is to diversify the base and get real people involved.

The next step is to bring some of those people to Washington, and fan out to legislators' offices to deliver the message. Don't make the mistake many groups make: They organize well-attended Capitol Hill lobby days, but when the volunteers go home, the lawmakers never hear from them again.

I helped create employee grass-roots networks for Cinergy and Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield in 1999. These companies have networks of employees who keep in touch with their elected officials year-round. Lawmakers crave authentic, sincere input from their constituents. It is important for our leaders to help generate that kind of grass-roots support for their projects.

I have heard lawmakers say things such as, "You have convinced me to support your project. Now force me to vote for it by showing me how broadly the folks back home support it."

Most groups initiate conversations with their legislators when they need something. The savvy groups initiate conversations all year long. I hope that Cincinnati's leaders remember to include their grass roots in this important effort.

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Amy Showalter owns Cincinnati-based Showalter Group Inc., which advises companies, trade associations and nonprofit organizations on how to develop effective grass-roots programs and political action committees.

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