citizen lobbying pda national field team. what is lobbying over 30,000 paid lobbyists in dc paid...
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Citizen Lobbying
PDA National Field Team
What is Lobbying
Over 30,000 paid lobbyists in DCPaid lobbying vs. Citizen lobbyingLegislators need educating – they don’t
know everythingLobbying works!It is our responsibility to let our elected
officials understand our agenda
Why We LobbyWhy We Lobby
It’s our responsibility as citizensPowerful corporations understand this,
sending scores of lobbyists to Washington each year to influence Congress and help draft legislation.
Now it’s our turn! Our voices must be heard in the halls of Congress!
Effective Lobbying
Lobbying is an ongoing campaign with a series of planned actions coordinated to have a desired effectCarefully plannedCarefully researchedCarefully executed
Lobby in small, organized groupsLobby in small, organized groups
Show numbers in the field, not in the office
Visit Congressional offices with groups of three to five
Have one expert in the field or on the billTry to include at least one constituent of
the Congressional representative
Preparation and Planning
Make allies and build coalitionsShows the legislator that you are not the
only one with this beliefAre there national organizations so a few
people can represent multiple statesKnow your target – What can you
expect?Anticipate your opposition
Prepare handouts for your Prepare handouts for your meetingmeeting
Show how your recommendations can bring in votes and appeal to voters’ concerns
Give staffers actual talking points that can be used to persuade other Congress members
Be Prepared and Well OrganizedBe Prepared and Well Organized
Research your topic thoroughly.Know PDA’s stand on the issue:
http://pdamerica.org/iot/Current legislation that your Congressional
representative has submitted on the topicRelevant legislation/ amendments that
other Congressional representatives have submitted: http://www.opencongress.org/
Prepare 2 Sets of HandoutsPrepare 2 Sets of Handouts
A “skeleton outline” with your talking points, for the staffer to follow during your presentation
The same outline, with fleshed‐out talking points, and a list of resources at the end (links to pertinent articles, studies, etc.)‐Give this to the staffer at the end of your meeting.
Draft a Citizen Lobbying Campaign
Goal – What do you want to achieveTarget – Who can give you what you
want?Tactics – How can you influence this
person?Research – Are there upcoming
deadlines? Any personal stance or past legislation
Setting Up a Meeting
Make an official request in writing and follow-up with a phone call
Ask to meet with the Representative or the appropriate Staffer
Where to Meet Capital Office District Office
Demonstrate broad base of support Petitions, Letters, etc.
Quick Links
www.congress.org
www.senate.gov
www.house.gov
Who Should Attend
3-5 people is idealPresent a diverse constituency
Be respectfulBe earlyLook presentable
Practice – role play
Lobbying Team Roles
Facilitator – runs meetingStorytellers (1-2) should be constituentsAsker – makes the direct askEducator – presents facts and infoSecretary – collect cards, write it all
down and plan follow-up
Meeting Agenda
Introductions (5 minutes) Names and addresses
Review the agenda (5 minutes) Why we are here (10 minutes)
Present petitions Present facts/history
Story time (10 minutes) The Ask (5 minutes) Ask/Answer questions (5 minutes) Wrap Up/Thank You (5 minutes)
During the MeetingDuring the Meeting
Engage the stafferPause after each main pointAsk the staffer if they have any questionsClarify or restate any complex/ controversial
points
Making an Effective Ask
Straight to the PointAsk the questionBe silent and wait for the answer
Follow-up questions – If YesWho else can you bring on board?What is the opposition?
Follow-up questions – If NoWhat will it take for you to support for this?What is holding you back?
Following-up
Thank the legislatorSend a written note to their officeBuild support and research before the
next meetingStay in touch – keep the relationship
aliveTry to find common ground
Thank You LetterThank You Letter
Send a thank you letter to the staffer (hard copy) ASAPBriefly summarize your key talking pointsReview how your recommendations can
help garner support from voters and other members of Congress
Turning up the Pressure
Direct PressureLetters, petitions, calls, Meetings, in Capital
lobby daysIndirect Pressure
Letters to the editor, op-eds, paid media, press conferences, visibility, protests, picketing, literature drops, coalition building
DC Mass Lobby
Have building and office number of all Congress members you plan to visitFor Droid and iPhone users download the
free app “Congress”Office location, phone, District mapLegislation sponsored
Street Call Your Congress Person
Best with Droid or iPhone with unlimited minutesHave short script that people can readHave person call Rep and/or Senator
directly from your phone