Effective Lobbying

What’s in It for Me? Created by: Joe Bell, Karen Jones, Wanda Lynn, Mark Perez, Willa Vire, and Bert Wagnon Effective Lobbying

Effective Lobbying • Define Your Issue

Effective Lobbying • The Basics: • Political Action • Grassroots Lobbying • Advocacy

Effective Lobbying Where does lobbying begin?

Your work site Local offices Friends’ living rooms Phone conversations E-mails, telegrams Social events Community meetings Hearing rooms Effective Lobbying:Where does lobbying begin?

Effective Lobbying:Do’s or Don’ts? Check those items that contribute to effective lobbying.

Effective Lobbying:Do’s and Don’ts Do • Get to the point soon and focus on your issue. Time is precious. • Keep it simple. Explain in simple and straightforward terms the logic supporting your position.

Effective Lobbying:Do’s and Don’ts Do • Get to know rep’s staff – they can be as important as the lawmaker. • Know your issue. • Remember there’s strength in numbers. Many issues are decided on the volume of communications received.

Effective Lobbying:Do’s and Don’ts Do • Remember important information. (Your contact information with all your communications, pertinent data, bill #, etc.) • Commit to your cause. Follow-up with letters and calls after the initial contact. • Be a good winner and loser; remember, you win some and you lose some.

Effective Lobbying:Do’s and Don’ts Do • Be patient. Results could take several months – or even several sessions. • Ask lawmakers to state their positions. • Thank your lawmaker, no matter what the outcome. • Use the media.

Effective Lobbying:Do’s and Don’ts Don’t • Cover multiple issues in one communication. • Use form letters to convey a consistent message. • Underestimate the weight given to letters and phone calls. • Make one contact to the lawmaker, then drop the issue.

Effective Lobbying:Do’s and Don’ts Don’t • Let the lawmaker know that your organization has asked you to contact him/her. • Ignore opportunities to visit your lawmaker at home. • Lie – never. • Forget that you and your lawmaker need each other.

Effective Lobbying:Building Relationships • Get to know the political powers before you ask them to do something for you. • Establish a positive relationship with your representatives through visits, phone calls, E-mails, etc. • Visit your representatives in your district.

Effective Lobbying:Building Relationships • Invite your representatives to your work site. • Provide them with background information and offer yourself as a resource. • Provide recognition and visibility in exchange for their support.

Effective Lobbying:Message Articulation • Know and plan delivery of your message. • Practice, practice, practice! Nothing is more impressive than a smooth and professional presentation. • Be brief. Show you value their time. • Get to the point. • Be courteous. • Don’t forget to close. Ask for their support.

Effective Lobbying:Professional Image • Punctuality • Know where to go • Arrive at least 15 minutes early • Physical Appearance • You only get one chance to make a first impression

Effective Lobbying:Professional Image • Proper Dress • A suit is recommended for both men and women. • Men may wear pants and jacket. • Women may wear a skirt and a jacket. (appropriate length) • Best colors are navy, black, and beige. • Shoes • Men should wear polished dress shoes. • Women should wear polished, medium heels with closed toes.

Effective Lobbying:Professional Image Jewelry • Jewelry should be neat and simple. • Guys should not wear earrings. Makeup • Makeup should be applied neatly and conservatively. • Lipstick color should be a natural or light shade. • Nails should either be polished clear or red. Hair • Hair should be neat. • Wear long hair pulled back away from face.

Effective Lobbying:Professional Image Body Language Conveys Confidence • Stand and sit straight.(Practice by placing a book on your head.) • Promote a positive image with a pleasant facial expression. (Practice in a mirror.) • Be the first to extend your hand in greeting. • Place your arms on the chair’s armrests or by your side with your hands gently locked in your lap. (avoid fidgeting) • Keep both feet on the ground.

Effective Lobbying What is a cadre? • A Framework • A Nucleus • A Core

Who makes up a cadre? Effective Lobbying

Effective Lobbying:What is grassroots lobbying? • Using internal resources and networks to advance the agenda. • Demonstrating to key policy makers that particular issues have support in their home base. • Focusing on the quality of information and quantity of time with the policy maker. (Make the most of the moment.)

Effective Lobbying:Who is a grassroots lobbyist? • You and anyone else who has an interest in a particular policy issue. Like who? • Association members, friends, families, colleagues, church groups, etc. are potential grassroots lobbyists.

Effective Lobbying:What do I need to begin grassroots lobbying? • Have an effective message • What are you going to tell the policy maker? • You must tell the story, and why you want to tell it. • Once the message is developed, the cadre must use it consistently.

Effective Lobbying:What do I need to begin grassroots lobbying? • Target your message • Grassroots lobbying is labor intensive, so it is critical to prioritize through careful targeting. • Identify the policy maker that you have the greatest chance of influencing through grassroots techniques.

Effective Lobbying:Your LobbyingAction Plan Strategy for Internal and External Communications

Effective Lobbying:Lobbying Action Plan Timelines & Delegation of Responsibilities

Effective Lobbying:Lobbying Action Plan Lobbying Campaign Evaluation & Assessment

Effective Lobbying:Lobbying Action Plan Handouts: • “10 Golden Rules of Lobbying” • “Meeting with Legislators”

Effective Lobbying:Activity: Case Study • Certified Salary – School System • ESP Privatization – School System • Evaluation System – General Assembly • Code of Ethics – Professional Standards Commission

The Basics: Political Action, Grassroots Lobbying & Advocacy Lobbying Roles and Skills Building the Cadre for Grassroots Lobbying Your Lobbying Action Plan Effective Lobbying:Important Things to Remember

What’s in It for Me? Created by: Joe Bell, Karen Jones, Wanda Lynn, Mark Perez, Willa Vire, and Bert Wagnon Effective Lobbying

Effective Lobbying