Chazz Clevinger is Revolutionizing Civic Engagement in the Digital Age

In recent years, traditional avenues that once facilitated public engagement, like Rotary Clubs, Lions Clubs, and various community organizations, have experienced a decline, leaving many special interest/advocacy groups and their constituents grappling with how to effectively communicate their thoughts and beliefs with local changemakers. 

In response to this evolving landscape, public affairs technology has emerged as a bridge connecting activists and lawmakers. This technological development leverages the speed and connectivity of the digital age to establish a more direct and responsive channel for citizens to voice their concerns, suggestions, and needs. 

Leading the innovations mentioned above is CiviClick - a transformative platform redefining civic engagement by providing accessible and user-friendly tools that facilitate meaningful interaction between organizations and people. Launched in February 2023 by founder Chazz Clevinger, CiviClick aims to create a space for everyday individuals to connect with elected and regulatory officials at various levels, from local, state, and federal to international, influencing countless policy debates along the way. 

Reflecting on the inspiration behind founding the company, Clevinger highlights a common scenario: “I’m sure you’ve gotten an email before that says ‘click here to contact Congress,’ and either me or one of my competitors provided the technology to make that email possible. But what happens when you do that? You'll click on it, it’ll ask you to enter your name and your contact information and then there will be a pre-written form letter that's there for you to be able to submit, that presumably some lobbyist or public affairs expert has written.” 

Exploring a distinctive approach, Clevinger notes that pre-written letters lack the authenticity lawmakers desire. “One thing that I hear when I meet with lawmakers and their staff is that they don't particularly want to just see messages that are pre-written and they don't want to see thousands of those being clicked on and sent to them. I mean, they appreciate it and they take it into consideration, but at the same time, they really want to hear the unique, authentic voices of their constituents.” 

Unlike emails, which are often pre-written form letters, CiviClick’s AI helps create dozens or hundreds of different iterations of a form letter. Instead of relying solely on prompts, as seen in other AI models. They take a different approach, focusing on creating authentic messages tailored to diverse viewpoints. “This philosophy ensures a more inclusive and representative approach,” Clevinger adds. 

Promoting varied channels for advocate sentiments, such as video tools, CiviClick encourages users to record personalized messages. “It’s a very personalized way of communicating that lawmakers and their staff really like, because they know that if it’s a video, it's a real person who cares about the issue and who is speaking to them in their own authentic voice. And so the videos and phone calls that are made through our software typically tend to be the most impactful.” 

Speaking about his motivation Clevinger notes, “I founded CiviClick because I wanted to do something different that focused on not only the most innovative and creative ways that technology can impact public policy discussions, but also had a distinctly universal focus on being supportive of everyone's voice.” 

Beyond just technology, Clevinger brings award-winning political and public affairs campaign skills and a unique background to the table. He is currently leading a significant campaign in Los Angeles, centering on a topic that touches everyone – the restaurant industry. Recognizing that smaller organizations might face financial constraints in adopting such advanced tools, CiviClick offers nonprofit discounts and, on occasion, provides pro bono subscriptions to organizations working on revolutionary projects that benefit humanity. His commitment extends even to loyal customers facing financial difficulties, ensuring that CiviClick remains not just a profitable tech platform, but a force for positive change.  

In a landscape where technology often caters to the politically correct and the powerful, CiviClick's commitment to free speech and inclusivity stands out. As the platform continues to harness the power of cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence and machine learning, it remains dedicated to empowering voices and fostering meaningful connections between citizens and decision-makers, setting a precedent for a more accessible and responsive civic engagement. 

To learn more about CiviClick, check out their website.