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Impacting Real Change

Impacting Real Change. Renell Weathers Outreach Director Michigan League for Public Policy rweathers@mlpp.org.

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Impacting Real Change

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  1. Impacting Real Change Renell Weathers Outreach Director Michigan League for Public Policy rweathers@mlpp.org

  2. The Michigan League for Public Policy educates and advocates for policies that support economic security so all Michigan citizens can have economic opportunities. We do this through research and analysis and recently celebrated our 100th year of research and advocacy.  The League was formerly known as the MLHS and changed its name to more accurately reflect our work and end confusion with the similarly named DHS.

  3. What is advocacy? Advocacy is the tool citizens use In our democracy to bring about improvements.

  4. Advocacy Toolkit www.mlpp.org

  5. Where to Begin • What do we want and who can give it to us? • Who should deliver the message? • What are your assets and what resources are missing?

  6. What You Need to Know • Learn the process • Federal bills and the budget process: • http://thomas.loc.gov • State bills and budgets: • www.legislature.mi.gov • http://house.michigan.gov/hfa/ • http://senate.michigan.gov/sfa/ • Voting record: • http://votesmart.org/

  7. Civics 101 • The Clock is Ticking – Session • Always Looking for a Majority • Two-party System – Majority in Power • Bi-Cameral Legislature • The Senate – 38/20 • The House of Representatives – 110/56 • The Governor

  8. Four Critical Numbers • 2500: Different piece of legislation to be considered EACH YEAR • 10-20%: Voters who contact elected officials • 12: Phone calls needed to get attention • 5-20: Enough to start or stop a discussion

  9. How a Bill Begins Law • Committee - Vote/Passes • 1st Chamber – Vote/Passes • Referred back to committee in 2nd Chamber • 2nd Chamber – Vote/Passes • Sent to Governor • Introduced in House or Senate • Bill referred to committee • Budget bills automatically referred to appropriations • Hearings/Public Comment

  10. Advocacy Tools • Write – Call – Visit • Building a relationship • Legislative recess • Michigan League

  11. “When you need a friend, it’s too late to make one.” Mark Twain

  12. Cat Frame Sneezing Affection Fur Cat Shedding Cat Food Costliness Kitty Litter Cleanliness Vets Voices Leadership Training Michigan's Children

  13. Message Box Value Reflect the values of your audience. Make them nod back a you in agreement Vision Barrier (a.k.a. Overcome the barrier) So what? What the world will look like if your audience does what you want them to do. Reflects their values. Policy Your response when your audience says, “Yeah, but…” Ask What one, specific thing do you want them to do?

  14. Message Box Value We all want to live in a Michigan we can be proud of, and that means one that invests in our future. Vision Barrier By putting people first, we can ensure our state remains a great place to live, work and play for generations to come. Revenue Crisis If we don’t make the choice to re-invest in schools, roads, etc. for our future, they will crumble Ask Make budget decisions that keep Michigan’s promise by investing in the things that have made our state great.

  15. Tips Be prepared Work with partners Relationships are critical Media: Importance of Stories

  16. Visits Legislator Champions Press Conference Testimonials Social Media Advocates Letter to the Editor Personal Letter Phone Call Email Contacts How to have the most impact Champions… • Are highly committedto your issue • Have a compelling personal story • Are willing and eager to get more involved

  17. Know the Rules • Learn if you need to be a registered lobbyist, and if you do, register to be a lobbyist and become an active participant in impacting policy decisions. • Registration handled by the Michigan Secretary of State’s office - http://www.michigan.gov/sos/.

  18. No Nos • Nonprofits classified 501(c)(3) cannot endorse. contribute to, coordinate with, or align in any way with candidates or political parties • Nonprofits may not lobby using government funds. When in doubt… • As an individual, you are entitled to engage in unlimited lobbying and political activity, provided you do so on your own time without using nonprofit corporate.

  19. You have the power! • … Conscience asks the question "Is it right?" And there comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular, but he must do it because Conscience tells him it is right.” -- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. • “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has” -- Margaret Mead

  20. Thank You! rweathers@mlpp.org Website:www.mlpp.org Sign up for “Email Alerts” Become a member Michigan League for Public Policy 1223 Turner Street, Suite G-1 Lansing, Michigan 48906-4369 Phone: (517) 487-5436

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