--- title: "When Organizations Weigh In on Social Issues" id: "29145" type: "post" slug: "when-organizations-weigh-in-on-social-issues" published_at: "2015-07-01T18:19:00+00:00" modified_at: "2026-03-16T14:15:37+00:00" url: "https://associationsnow.com/2015/07/01/when-organizations-weigh-in-on-social-issues/" markdown_url: "https://associationsnow.com/2015/07/01/when-organizations-weigh-in-on-social-issues.md" excerpt: "An excellent look into why companies and trade groups are more comfortable talking about social issues. Plus: How to turn volunteering into something more." taxonomy_category: - "Advocacy" taxonomy_post_tag: - "Advocacy" - "AssociationsNow" - "Business" - "corporate support" - "social issues" taxonomy_content_format: - "Article" taxonomy_role: - "Association CEO / Executive Director" - "C-Level" - "Executive Team" - "VP" taxonomy_persona: - "Executive Leadership" --- [Home](https://associationsnow.com/) » [Articles](https://associationsnow.com/format/article/) » When Organizations Weigh In on Social Issues Last week’s Supreme Court decision upholding the right of same-sex couples to marry was a landmark victory for activists and advocacy organizations, such as [Freedom to Marry](http://associationsnow.com/2015/06/freedom-to-marry-winding-down/) , that have worked tirelessly for decades. But beyond the courts and the protests, there were other influencers at play. *Newsweek* Political Writer Emily Cadei [takes a look at another side of the story (opens in a new tab)](http://www.newsweek.com/2015/07/10/shift-corporate-america-social-issues-become-good-business-348458.html) : the role of businesses and associations. Starting with November 2011, when 70 organizations joined a legal brief to overturn the Defense of Marriage Act, Cadei traces the growing support of big business and professional organizations for the gay-rights movement. “‘Inclusiveness’ may not be good politics in this day of polarization and micro-targeting, but it seems to be good business,” Cadei writes. “And that is making the business community the sort of ‘big tent’ political force that neither major political party can claim to be.” And this trend goes beyond the gay rights movement. Cadei cites other recent examples, from [the widespread abandonment of the Confederate Flag](http://associationsnow.com/2015/06/manufacturers-follow-winds-change-confederate-flag-debate/) following the Charleston church murders to [the condemnation of Indiana’s Religious Freedom Restoration Act](http://associationsnow.com/2015/04/indiana-governor-lawmakers-promise-clarify-religious-freedom-law/) . “This is a significant shift for major companies, who used to duck for cover whenever these kinds of controversies kicked up,” she writes. ### Infographic of the Day **Think volunteering can’t lead to bigger and brighter things?** [MovingWorlds (opens in a new tab)](https://movingworlds.org/) Cofounder Mark Horoszowski sought to “explore the theory that volunteering can help people get their dream job in any sector: public, private, or non-profit.” He presents that pathway [in a contributor piece on Huffington Post (opens in a new tab)](http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mark-horoszowski/good-for-the-world-good-f_b_7629256.html) . ### Other Good Reads **Can’t tell your Square Cash from your Venmo?** *Re/code*‘s Deputy Reviews Editor Katie Boehret [explores the ins and outs of various online-payment apps (opens in a new tab)](http://recode.net/2015/06/24/everything-you-need-to-know-about-paypal-square-cash-and-venmo) . **What’s the ultimate financial burden of your subscriptions?** *Wall Street Journal* reporter Jon Keegan [takes an interactive look at the cumulative cost (opens in a new tab)](http://www.wsj.com/articles/more-media-more-money-how-many-mini-subscriptions-can-you-take-1435680628) of services such as Spotify, Dropbox, MLB At Bat, and HBO Go. Now imagine putting your association dues on top of that sum! **Giving Tuesday is 153 days away.** Does your organization have a plan to top last year’s totals or take part for the first time? Then check out Network for Good Vice President of Communications and Content Caryn Stein’s “[Two Absolute Requirements for #GivingTuesday Success (opens in a new tab)](http://www.nonprofitmarketingblog.com/site/the_two_absolute_requirements_for_givingtuesday_success) .” (Rebecca Cook/Reuters) [Morgan Little](https://associationsnow.com/author/morgan-little/) Morgan Little is a contributor to Associations Now. [More articles by this author](https://associationsnow.com/author/morgan-little/) Tags: [#Advocacy](https://associationsnow.com/tag/advocacy/) [#Business](https://associationsnow.com/tag/business/) [#corporate support](https://associationsnow.com/tag/corporate-support/) [#social issues](https://associationsnow.com/tag/social-issues/) **Stay Informed** [Subscribe to our free newsletter](https://associationsnow.com/newsletter/) , *Associations Now Daily News*, to find out what’s happening in the association world every business day. ## You Might Like - [VideoHomelessness Doesn’t Have to be a Life SentenceOctober 7, 2011](https://associationsnow.com/2011/10/07/homelessness-doesnt-have-to-be-a-life-sentence/) - [PodcastAssociations NOW Presents: Powering Advocacy-Why PACs Matter for AssociationsNovember 20, 2025](https://associationsnow.com/2025/11/20/associations-now-presents-powering-advocacy-why-pacs-matter-for-associations/) - [PodcastNavigating Tax Reform: Advocacy for Associations and NonprofitsDecember 19, 2024](https://associationsnow.com/2024/12/19/navigating-tax-reform-advocacy-for-associations-and-nonprofits/) - [VideoASAE Legislative 2025 Fly-InApril 4, 2025](https://associationsnow.com/2025/04/04/asae-legislative-2025-fly-in/) ## Comments **Comments are for ASAE members.** [Learn more about comments on this site.](https://associationsnow.com/comments/) [Log in](https://associationsnow.com/login?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fassociationsnow.com%2F2015%2F07%2F01%2Fwhen-organizations-weigh-in-on-social-issues%2F%23comments) to your member account or [join ASAE](https://my.asaecenter.org/select-a-membership-type/) !