Are You Protected for the Next Year?
Nonprofit organizations are essential to Louisiana because they provide needed services and allow citizens to
have a voice in the public policy arena. Louisiana is now facing a tremendous budget deficit and all state
funding is at risk. Checkmate Strategies is available to work with you, to protect your funding so you can
continue to provide high quality services and products to the citizens of our state. We understand the role of
non-profits and believe that everyone should have the fairest chance possible to make a difference. Please
look over some of the services we offer for your protection. Checkmate Strategies can also help you address
needed public policy changes. A new Administration brings new opportunities and we are ready to help you
advance your mission.
Legislative Bill Tracking, Monitoring and Communication:
The 2016 Regular Session of the Louisiana Legislature will last for 85 days. In addition, one or more special
sessions of limited duration may be called. One of the utmost important items to guarantee protection is
information. Checkmate Strategies will commit to giving you a weekly update on legislation impacting your
Nonprofit organization. In this weekly enewsletter, we will include information on the status of legislation,
how legislators voted on these bills and a schedule of when legislation of interest will be considered by the
Louisiana Legislature. What you don’t know can hurt your organization.
Advocacy 101 Training:
Knowing the players is important. Knowing how to effectively influence their decisions is critical for your
success. Checkmate Strategies is available to provide an Advocacy 101 training program for you and your
constituents to teach you how to influence the Louisiana Legislature. This training can be conducted on site or
electronically through a webinar.
Lobbying Services:
What better way to guarantee success than having lobbyists at the State Capitol every day to represent you
and your interests. A retainer with Checkmate Strategies is an investment in a team that has built personal
relationships with those who directly impact the legislative process. We have advocated issues and
successfully protected the interests of over 50 companies and nonprofit organizations in the last 20 years
For any questions please contact Cindy Bishop: (225) 933-5435
Cindy.bishop@checkmate-strategies.com
THE CHECKMATE STRATEGIES TEAM - OUR CREDENTIALS
Cindy Bishop is the President of Checkmate Strategies, an association management and
lobbying firm headquartered in Baton Rouge. She is a registered lobbyist. Cindy
established Checkmate Strategies in 1995. She has worked on many high profile
legislative campaigns including the Smoke Free Air Act, the Primary Seat Belt Act, the
Child Passenger Safety Act, and the Concealed Carry Permit Act. Cindy earned her
Bachelor’s degree in Computer Information Technology from Loyola University in New
Orleans. She is a member of the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry, the
Louisiana Association of Non-Profit Organizations and the Louisiana Society of
Association Executives. Cindy.Bishop@checkmate-strategies.com 225 933-5435
Earl Willis serves as the Vice President of Business Development for Checkmate
Strategies. A registered lobbyist, Earl has lobbied the Louisiana Legislature on
significant legislative issues. Earl is experienced with legislative research and has a firm
grasp on issues about management and grassroots management. He is a graduate of
Louisiana State University and earned his Bachelors of Science degree in Political
Science in May 2015. Prior to his work with Checkmate Strategies, he worked as an
intern in the Washington D.C. office of Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. and the American
Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Earl is a member of the Louisiana Association of
Nonprofit Organizations. earl.willis@checkmate-strategies.com 225 454-2209
David Roberson serves as the Vice-President for Checkmate Strategies. A registered
lobbyist since 2003, David is adept at policy development and research. He is highly
experienced in grassroots management. He is skilled in all areas of association
management. However, his forte is fiscal management. David assists with the budget
planning and handles fiscal matters for all Checkmate Strategies’ clients. David earned
his Bachelors’ of Science degrees in Political Science and Communications Studies from
Louisiana State University in May of 2007. He is a member of the Louisiana Association
of Business and Industry and of the Louisiana Association of Nonprofit Organizations
(LANO). David can be reached at David.Roberson@checkmate-strategies.com
Sarah Heath serves as the Director of Membership and Meeting Planning. She has
worked for Checkmate Strategies since 2009. She is adept at all aspects of association
management but her primary areas of responsibility are membership recruitment and
retention, website management, communications and meeting planning. She also
manages our clients’ political action committees (PACs) and prepares the monthly
financial reports. Sarah is the backbone of the Checkmate Strategies team and is
responsible for the day-to-day interaction with members. She attended North Georgia
College in Dahlonega and lives and works in Dahlonega. She also completed training in
grant acquisition and management. She is a member of the Louisiana Association of
Nonprofit Organizations. She can be reached at sarah.heath@checkmate-strategies.com