Tips for lobbyists

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Tips for lobbyists

• Utah Housing Conference
• Fraser Nelson
• Presented by Shawn Teigen and Lincoln Shurtz

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What is lobbying about?

• Getting your opinion heard
• Relationships how these relationships can
  further your policy

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Why dont people lobby?

• In Utah, of the 600 organizations registered for
  a 45 day session, only 4 are non-profit
  organizations

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Why dont people lobby?

• Too sleazy for pure organizations and
  individuals
• Gucci loafers
• Jack Abramoff
• __________________________________________________
  ______
• Many think it will give them a bad reputation
• Many feel that it will reflect poorly upon
  themselves outside of work
• Some think that special interests are only
  pursued by sinister organizations
• Many feel that real non-profits provide
  something for people and communities in need, and
  lobbying takes away from that activity

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Why dont people lobby?

• Fear of politicians, process, and regulations
• Who are these people?
• What are the rules?
• It wont make a difference

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Why we all need to lobby

• Mission
• Influencing the decisions of elected officials is
  at the core of every effective non-profit
  organization
• It gives your constituents a voice
• Many non-profits clients wouldnt have one
  without you
• It is part of the democratic process
• Lobbying can also positively affect your
  organization
• The legislative process is where change happens -
  good or bad

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How it helps

• Raise awareness of issues or mission
• Provide favorable media attention
• Increase government investment in your issue
• Reform laws and regulations that govern the
  operation and evaluation of your issue

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Politicians need you

• Need information to take informed positions and
  make informed votes
• Politicians are often generalists - they cannot
  be fully informed in all issues (45 day session)
• Want to please peers by sounding knowledgeable
• Want to effectively serve their constituents

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Five Tips for Effective Lobbying
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1. Tell the truth

• Speak from experience and knowledge
• Dont say what you dont know
• Give the opponents perspective

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2. Make it real

• The ultimate abstract environment
• Need constituents to illustrate
• 3 constituent contacts the district is up in
  arms!
• Use influence
• Other elected officials
• Spouses

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3. Offer solutions

• Never ask for something you dont know how to get
• Do their work for them
• Get the votes
• Write talking points
• Organize community support
• Contact the press

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4. Create an understanding

• Say what you want - be specific
• Repeat agreement
• Stay on message
• Do not hassle, harangue, threaten
• Remember your ultimate goal

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5. Hang in there

• Be willing to lose
• Be non-partisan
• Be reliable - do what you say you are going to do
• Do not leave before it is over - things happen at
  the end
• Thank them - profusely and publicly

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Housing legislation on the horizon
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Manufactured/mobile homes

• Representative Riesens bill
• Senator McCoys bill
• Tax credit or capital gains break bill

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Other legislation

• Olene Walker Housing Loan Fund
• Dedicated source of funding

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Thank you