Expanding Influence: Understanding Effective Political Advocacy

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Expanding Influence Understanding Effective
Political Advocacy

• May 16, 2006
• Leadership Development Advisory Council
• Grassroots Training

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Welcome to Washington

• Admiral James Stockdale
• 1992 Vice Presidential Candidate
• Who Am I?
• Why Am I Here?

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Why Advocacy Matters Why You Are Essential

• Breaking through the Sound and Fury
• 10,000 bills introduced
• 5 actually pass
• 86,054 trade associations 1,010,365 education /
  research / charitable orgs
• What Happens Here Doesnt Stay Here
• Federal policy effects your local work, community
• Citizen Advocacy is the Engine of Democracy

• Grassroots Advocacy is Based on the Power of
  Constituents, Not Lobbyists
• Especially Now

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Grassroots Advocacy a new approach

• The Power of Constituency
• Communities Organized to Influence
• Relationship-Based
• Values Direct, Personal Communication
• Qualitative over Quantitative
• Bottom up Open Source Advocacy

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Factors that influence elected officials

• What factors do YOU think influence the actions
  and decisions of elected officials?

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Your Sphere of Influence

• What Influences Legislators?
• Friends, Colleagues
• Background
• Staff
• Job and Development Issues in Their Districts
• The Media
• Money?
• The Message
• Legislative Process
• Their Own Principles
• Good Public Service

• MOST IMPORTANT
• Their Constituents
• Representative Democracy reflects and amplifies
  the POWER of the Grassroots

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A Day in the Life

• Sunday (in the District)

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A Day in the Life

• Monday (in the District)

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A Day in the Life

• Monday (in the District cont.)

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A Day in the Life

• Tuesday (at the Capitol)

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A Day in the Life

• Wednesday (at the Capitol)

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A Day in the Life

• Wednesday (at the Capitol, cont.)

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A Day in the Life

• Wednesday (more at the Capitol)

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A Day in the Life

• Wednesday (still more)

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A Day in the Life (Yet more Wed.)

• Wednesday (yet more!)

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A Day in the Life

• Thursday (at the Capitol)
• See Wednesday
• Only difference is possible flight at 500pm to
  the west coast
• Friday is much like the Monday, with meetings
  during the day, dinners, and receptions in the
  evenings

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A Day in the Life

• So, whats the point?
• Limited Time for Input
• Lots of Competition for Attention
• Successful Advocacy Requires a Combination of
  Persistence, Creativity, Utility and Empathy

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Working the System and Beating the Odds Keys to
Being Effective

• What do you want?
• Who should you ask?
• How should you ask?
• How should you follow-up?

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What do you want?

• You must make the ask.
• Be specific
• Always follow up
• Think before you ask
• Do your homework
• Be timely

• Get creative
• Help with a Regulatory Agency
• Newsletter Article
• Congressional Record or Journal Statement
• One minute or five minute speech on the House or
  Senate floor
• Site visit
• Website statement

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How Should You Ask? Developing your Message

• Know Your Facts
• Make it Your Own Message
• Be Positive
• Be Specific
• The Five Minute Rule

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Anatomy of a Successful Meeting

• Why are you relevant?
• Can you frame the message?
• Make the ask!
• Personal story
• Reiterate the ask
• Thanks and ask about follow up

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Successful Lobby Meetings

• Make An Appointment
• Do Your Homework
• Stay On Message
• Go Local Personalize the Issue
• Make a Clear, Actionable Request

• Cultivate a Long-Term Relationship w/ Staff
• Dont Be Rude or Use Threats
• Avoid Partisan Politics
• Be Understanding of Capitol Hill Logistics
• Dont Get Too Comfortable
• Follow-up

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10 Things Hill Staff Hate to Hear

• 10. But I thought my appointment was with the
  Senator!
• 9. Heres some reading material for you our
  300 page annual report
• 8. How much of a campaign contribution did
  your boss get to vote against (or for) this bill?
• 7. I assume you know all about H.R. 1234

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10 Things Hill Staff Hate to Hear

• 6. No, I dont have an appointment but I
  promise Ill only take ½ hour of your time.
• 5. No, I dont really need anything specific.
• 4. We have ten (or more) people in our group.
  What do you mean we have to stand in the hall?
• 3. What youre telling me cant be right. I
  heard insert inflammatory talk radio personality
  here say otherwise.
• 2. How old ARE you?

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And the 1 thing staff hate to hear

• No, I dont represent anyone from your district.
  I just thought youd be interested in what I have
  to say.

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and the 5 conversations they love to have

• What the Local Statistics Are
• How Programs Work in the District and How Your
  Request Would Affect the District or District
  Voters
• Real Life Stories that Illuminate Statistics
• How You (or your Organization) Reach Voters in
  the District
• What Specific Action Would Make You Happy

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Understanding the Hill or what you didnt learn
in civics class

• Not all Congressmen are created equal know your
  member
• Relationships rule
• Different Chambers, Different Personalities
• Understand Congressional Seasons
• Staff Matter

• Understanding the process helps you make the
  right ask
• People can drive process
• Its about geography
• Dont ignore the district
• Committees are key

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In for the Long Haul Building Relationships
with Legislators

• Be a resource
• Personal
• District-focus
• Issue-focus
• Stay in-touch
• Offer audiences, outlets
• Be engaged in the community
• Take advantage of recess periods

• Give Them a Chance to Succeed
• Acknowledge and recognize
• Identify opportunities within your network
• Cultivate
• Staff

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Ideas for Instant Advocacy

• Ask members to
• Meet in the district
• Attend an event
• Write an article
• Demonstrate ongoing support through
• Letters
• Votes
• Influence with other Legislators
• Legislation

• You should
• Give recognition
• Thank your lawmakers
• Train and organize your grassroots
• Keep track of important data about your issue,
  your community
• Participate in the political process

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For more information

• Jason Jordan
• 1640 19th St., NW, 2
• Washington, DC 20009
• 202.234.1353
• jjordan_at_advocacyassociates.com
• Visit the website
• Newsletter
• Additional Resources
• Online Classroom
• More!