Educating for CareersPathways to Success

The ABCs of The ABCs of Good AdvocacyGood Advocacy

Teri BurnsEducation Advocateteri@teriburns.comFebruary 13, 2012

 

GET GET ORGANIZEDORGANIZED1. Do your homework.

2. Understand your issue.

3. Why is the issue important?

4. History – is it a new issue? Has it been debated before?

5. Who supports your issue?

6. Who opposes your issue?

7. Where is your issue relevant – Federal? State? Local?

8. Who will help you in this effort?

 

UNDERSTAND THE PROCESSUNDERSTAND THE PROCESS

• The Federal, State and local legislative processes are different. Be sure you know how policy is enacted in the venue you are working in.

• Is your issue a regulatory issue? Is it legislative? Does it refer to a constituent service?

• If it is regulatory – find the commission who has jurisdiction.

• If it is legislative – call or write the capitol office of your state or federal representative (you can find their addresses on the web).

• If it is locally related – call or write the district office of your state or federal representative.

• If it pertains to your city or county, contact your representative on your County Board of Supervisors or City Council.

• If it is related to schools, contact your school board.

 

KNOW YOUR TARGET AUDIENCEKNOW YOUR TARGET AUDIENCE

Federal issues – Congress

State agency – Governor

State issues - Legislature

County issues – Board of Supervisors

Local issues – City Council

Local School issues – School Board

Who are your resources?Who are your resources?

• Who can help influence your target?

• Who knows your target?

• Who knows your issues?

• Meet together or separately?

 

UNDERSTAND THE ROLE OF KEY PLAYERS IN THE UNDERSTAND THE ROLE OF KEY PLAYERS IN THE LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY PROCESSLEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY PROCESS

Legislators/Local elected leaders

Other elected officials

Staff –

Chief of Staff;

Legislative Assistant;

District Director

Committee

Staff Director;

Chief Consultant;

Analysis, Reports, etc.

Other Legislative PlayersOther Legislative Players

• Department of Finance

• Legislative Analyst

• State Board of Education

• State Department of Education

• Other state agencies

 

WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO COMMUNICATE?WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO COMMUNICATE?

Personal meeting

Personal letter vs. Form letter or postcard

Phone calls (phone banking)

E-mail

WHERE TO FIND THEMWHERE TO FIND THEM

• Capitol Office• District Office• Fundraisers• Public meetings/Town Halls• Community Meetings• Newsletters

 

IDENTIFY YOUR CONCERN AND PROPOSE A IDENTIFY YOUR CONCERN AND PROPOSE A SOLUTIONSOLUTION

OROR

FIND SOMEONE TO CHAMPION YOUR ISSUEFIND SOMEONE TO CHAMPION YOUR ISSUE

Elected official Industry leader

Staff member Trade association

Non-Profit Constituent

Other government agency Community leaders

 

DEVELOP YOUR MESSAGE…DEVELOP YOUR MESSAGE…

• Make it compelling – let your passion for the issue show

• Make sure your facts are accurate

• Find out from the beginning what the opposition may say

• Remember – BE POSITIVE! Even if the community leader you are talking to does not agree with you.

Before meeting your Before meeting your elected officialelected official

• Schedule an appointment

• Have a manageable size group

• Decide in advance who will start the conversation for your group

• Know the key points you want to make

• Have a 1-pager or leave-with document

The MeetingThe Meeting

• Arrive on time, but prepared to wait

• Introduce yourself. It’s a good idea to give the Legislator(s) or staff your business card

• Have your lead start right out

• Allow the conversation to flow

• Don’t be afraid to bring them back to your topic

IssuesIssues

• Identify the legislator’s level of expertise

• Explain issues thoroughly

• Give reasons for your positions

• Link your issues to the legislator’s own

• Share personal examples

 

DELIVER YOUR MESSAGE…DELIVER YOUR MESSAGE…• Make your request specific – do you want legislation? Do you

want support? Do you want them to oppose a policy? (Remember what restrictions your organization may have.)

• Offer a solution to the problem you are advocating for.

• Ask for a specific response – if they tell you they will look into it, ask if you can call them in a few days to follow up.

Goal: Educate not AlienateGoal: Educate not Alienate

• Answer questions honestly

• Don’t commit to provide additional information or complete a task unless you plan to do it

• Don’t get baited into arguing or losing your temper

• Don’t over-stay your welcome

After the MeetingAfter the Meeting

• Follow-up on requests for information in a timely manner

• Send a thank you letter for their time and consideration, even if they didn’t agree with you!

• Share insights with your leadership

Resource WebsitesResource Websites

Federal Legislation State Senatehttp://Thomas.loc.gov www.sen.ca.gov

State Legislation Assemblywww.leginfo.ca.gov www.assembly.ca.gov

California Department of Education CA Legislative Analystwww.cde.ca.gov www.lao.ca.gov

Calif. Dep. Of Finance Workforce Investment Board www.dof.ca.gov www.cwib.ca.gov

CAROCP CALCPwww.carocp.org www.calcp.org

 

FINAL THOUGHTS…FINAL THOUGHTS…

• Don’t get discouraged – it often takes years and a lot of hard work to make policy changes.

• Keep working – persistence pays off.

• Find ways to educate community leaders and their staff – host briefings, add them to your mailing list, invite them to your sites and events.

• Remember – you are playing an important part in public policy. It is our duty and right to advocate!