Grassroots Network

Become an Advocate

You have a business to run, so the Government Relations team at SBAM constantly monitors issues affecting small business so you don’t have to. SBAM also helps to give you and other small business owners a voice in the democratic process by connecting members with influential policymakers.

You can help protect your small business and help bolster Michigan’s entrepreneurs by getting involved today by joining SBAM’s Grassroots Network. Our commitment to you when you join is that we will track small business issues and cut through the noise, but as a member, we ask that you provide feedback and engage on those issues by contacting your legislators or joining us for important public policy discussion.

Become an SBAM Advocacy Champion

Grassroots Advocates

What you get access to as an SBAM Grassroots Advocate:

Weekly Public Policy Newsletter (Lansing Watchdog)
Timely notifications and Call-to-Actions regarding impactful public policy
A team of 4 Lobbyists
SBAM’s Policy Task Forces where you can help build SBAM’s platform

Subscribe today!

The Tier System

As a small business owner you can truly influence public policy, and SBAM wants to help you do that. As you engage with legislators and become more involved in Michigan politics, we want to give you recognition. Not every small business owner has the calling to get involved, but the ones that do pave the way for all of Michigan’s small business success. Our Gold Tier advocates are true champions of small business and continue to lead our legislators toward making Michigan the best state to own a small business. In order to qualify to move to the next tier, one must qualify for the previous tier than complete one requirement of the successive tier. Check your Grassroots Level in your Profile Settings.

Gold Tier

Testify on SBAM’s behalf
Attend the National Small Business Association’s (NSBA) Washington Presentation
Donate at least $500 to the PAC
Chair a Task Force

Silver Tier

Contact a Legislator
Current or past Board Member
Serve on a Task Force
Serve on the Small Biz PAC Board
Donate at least $250 to the PAC

Bronze Tier

Donate to the PAC
Subscribe to the ‘Lansing Watchdog’
Serve on Leadership Council
Attend SBAM’s Annual Meeting

Subscribe to the Watchdog

Having issues keeping up with new laws and the ever-changing political landscape on a State and Federal level? Subscribe to the Small Business Association of Michigan’s Lansing Watchdog, the premier small business focused newsletter focused specifically on keeping small business owners in the know, and instantly become a member of SBAM’s Grassroots Network!

Use the button below to go to your profile settings and subscribe to the “Lansing Watchdog” e-newsletter.

Subscribe today!

What is happening in SBAM Public Policy?

July 1, 2025

Big 3 Meet But No White Smoke On K-12 Budget

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, House Speaker Matt Hall (R-Richland Township) and Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks (D-Grand Rapids) jumped into a closed-door meeting in the Governor’s Capitol ceremonial office for about an hour Thursday as the prospects of reaching a deal …

July 1, 2025

Tax Increase For Rich Petition Fight Ends In Draw At Canvassers

The Board of Canvassers approved a 100-word summary that identified a petition to fund schools with a 5 percent tax increase for the rich but failed to approve the form because of time.

June 24, 2025

Whitmer, Hall, Brinks Hold Round Robin Budget Talks; More Budget News

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, House Speaker Matt Hall (R-Richland Township) and Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks (D-Grand Rapids) talked with each other Wednesday in pairs as the leaders started laying the groundwork for a compromise on the K-12 portion of the …

National Small Business Association

The Washington, D.C., based National Small Business Association (NSBA) is SBAM’s national affiliate. It was founded in 1937 to advocate for the interests of small businesses throughout the United States.

This group, which originally consisted of just 160 small businesses, now represents more than 150,000 small business owners. Several SBAM members have served on NSBA’s board of directors and in board leadership positions.

Learn More