Title: Becoming an Effective Lobbyist
1Your Country. Your Voice.
- Becoming an Effective Lobbyist
2You Want Me to Do WHAT?
- All of us can and should be lobbyists for OUR
OWN kind of change in Washington. - Lobbying is not just for the wealthy and
powerful. - Lobbying is a way of multiplying ones power at
the voting booth by holding U.S. decision-makers
accountable for their actions.
3What is Lobbying?
- Advocating the passage or defeat of legislation
- NOT the exclusive domain of Washington insiders
- One of the purest forms of democracy in action
4Why Should WE Lobby??
- Vocal and visible constituents are the best
counterbalance to the influence of money and
power-brokering in politics.
Building a relationship with ones elected
leaders is just as critical as protesting and
community service when trying to change the
system.
5Who is FCNL and what do we do?
- The Friends Committee on National Legislation
(FCNL) is the largest peace lobby in Washington,
DC. - FCNL staff and volunteers work to advocate social
and economic justice, peace, and good government
in the United States Congress.
6Why does FCNL need me?
- Even more important than experts on the issues
are local constituents telling a member how they
feel about important peace and justice issues. - FCNL provides tools for and organizes lobbying
campaigns with citizen lobbyists on issues such
as U.S. withdrawal from Iraq and Nuclear
Disarmament.
7Think Like a Member
- Factors in a Member of Congress Vote
- Members viewpoint
- What constituents think
- Viewpoints of people the member respects
- What other members think
- Party position
8Think Like an Organizer
- Elements of a Campaign
- Lobbying
- Grassroots organizing
- Media
- What gets attention on the Hill?
9Influences on Congressional Decision-Making
Source Congressional Management Foundation,
Communicating with Congress, 2005.
10Think Like a Lobbyist
The Lobby Visit
11The Lobby Visit
- Meeting with your member of congress or staff is
easier than you think - You dont need to be an expert to visit your
Members office you are their constituent and
YOUR VIEWS ARE IMPORTANT - Building a relationship increases the
effectiveness of your message with each visit.
12Getting In the Door
- Good lobbying begins with access the Scheduler
controls who will meet with the Member, and for
how long.
- Schedulers have to deal with hundreds of meeting
requests fitting them in between hearings, floor
votes, and the other daily events that take up so
much of a Members time.
13The Scheduler is the Key
- Request an appointment in writing as early as
possible. - Be flexible on time and place.
- State clearly who will be attending the meeting
and what issue you will be discussing. - Visit in groups of 6 or less and keeping your
issues to one or two topics.
14Members have Unpredictable Schedules
- Last minute floor votes, extended committee
meetings, and other scheduling snafus happen on
the Hillif you end up meeting with staff,
understand that they do most of the heavy lifting
in a congressional office and are an essential
audience for advocacy.
15Do Your Homework
- Appoint a spokesperson for your group.
- Identify one specific aspect of your issue for
each person in the group to highlight briefly. - Rehearse your presentation beforehand.
- Practice answering questions in a simple,
straightforward manner. - Find at least one issue you and your Member agree
on and remember to thank them for their work on
that issue.
16During the Visit
- The Member and their staff may be unfamiliar with
your issue. - Take a few minutes to describe who you are and
what you are seeking. Describe your ask in
clear, non-threatening terms. - Keep it simple. Dont use acronyms and bill
numbers that the Member might not know about.
17Make a Specific Ask
- Do you want the Member to sponsor your proposal
or take the lead in a funding initiative? - Do you want the Member to cosponsor the bill or
vote against something in Committee? - Ask them, specifically and directly.
18Never Burn a Bridge!
- Be prepared for disagreement and rejection.
- A Member may be in opposition to your views this
time, but could well be an important ally on
future issues.
19If You Dont Know, Say So
- If youre asked a question you dont know the
answer to, dont fudge an answer. - Simply state that youd like to look into the
answer and will provide additional information
either by phone or in writing. - Make it a top priority to respond as soon as
possible after the meeting.
20Saying See you later not Goodbye
- Pass out a fact sheet that summarizes your key
points, along with any supporting documentation. - If you are presenting a new legislative proposal,
have a draft available. - Include contact information.
- Mention how you will follow-up with the office on
this issue will you visit again? Write a
letter? Call before the crucial vote?
21Follow-Up as Important as the Visit
- Thank you notes are not just for your mother.
Send one to your Member to build a relationship
with that office. - If you promised any additional information,
provide it. - If youre still waiting for a commitment, ask
again. - To multiply your effectiveness, lead a lobby
training and organize a group of other concerned
citizens for a follow-up visit.
22Now You Get to Do it!
- Break into small groups
- Choose a clerk to lead the visit
- Following the tips discussed today, plan your
visit - One or two groups will act out their visit for
everybody.
23Evaluating Role Plays
- Did the group effectively convey their issue of
concern? - Was there an action requested?
- What will you remember most about this groups
presentation? - What could be improved for future visits?
- What do you think would be the end result of this
visit? - What next steps would you recommend for these
lobbyists?
24Before and After the Visit
- Ways to increase the strength of your visit
- Phone Calls
- Written Letters
- Faxes
- Emails
- Resources on how to increase your effectiveness
on these are available in FCNLs Grassroots
Toolkit, http//www.fcnl.org/action/toolkit.htm
25Your Country. Your Voice.
Tell us about your success! Fill out a lobby
visit report form on our website at www.fcnl.org/
If you send a digital photo of your visit to
field_at_fcnl.org well put it up on our website!