Lobbying Crash Course

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Lobbying Crash Course

• American Association of University Professors
• Capitol Hill Day 2008

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Outline

• Meetings what to do before, during, after
• Thinking outside the box
• Reciprocity
• The fine print legal note
• Words to live by golden rules of lobbying

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Before your meeting

• Dont be disappointed if you get a staffer,
  rather than the policymaker. There are big
  advantages to meeting with staffers.
• Prior to your meeting, email your topic(s) and
  general issue position(s).
• Keep it short!
• Do your homework! Know the legislators vote
  history, committee assignments, etc. re the
  issues at hand.

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During the meeting substance

• Be specific know your bill numbers for measures
  already introduced (an average of 10,000 bills
  are introduced in each 2-year session approx. 4
  pass)
• If there is no active legislation pending on your
  issue, come ready with some draft language and/or
  specific talking points
• STAY ON MESSAGE

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During the meeting substance

• Always bring it back to the constituents. How
  does your cause benefit the district or the
  state? Framing issues in right/ wrong,
• or good/bad, will only get you so far.
• Be as specific as possible about the benefits
  for the greater good, and youre actually helping
  the congressperson sell your ideas back home.

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During the meeting style

• Consider your audience- presentation style
  (brief)- acknowledge the other point of view
  then counter it- dont be confrontational -
  words matter rather than using words like
  educating, try partnering or supporting.
• Stress collaboration over persuasion.

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Think outside the box

• There are many things you can ask your
  representative to do besides vote yes or no
• - an entry in the congressional record
• - a visit to your institution
• - a meeting or event in the home district
• - an op-ed piece

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On the other hand

• What can you do for your representative?
• - as a well-informed, civically engaged citizen,
  you are a great asset
• - consider drafting questions for upcoming
  hearings
• - ask how you can help publicize or organize
  events in the home district

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After the meeting

• Find a reason to follow up a thank-you note is
  nice (and necessary), but providing further
  information is much better.
• Maintain the relationship the time to
  visit/call is not simply when you want something.
  Reciprocity helps build true partnerships.

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For the future

• Start building coalitions. There is no
  legislative issue that applies only to the AAUP
  who else shares our interests?
• Think of an enticing angle with which to engage
  the press pitch stories, write opinion pieces,
  craft attention-getting press releases

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The fine print

• Lobbying Disclosure Act requirements- unless you
  are a registered lobbyist (i.e. you receive
  compensation for lobbying), you do not have to
  disclose contacts
• The new ethics rules are stricter about gifts
  and meals when in doubt, dont do it!

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A caution for faculty

• Differences between your job and theirs
• - communication styles in particular- Knowledge
  for knowledge vs. knowledge as means to an end
  (pragmatism)
• Avoid lecturing or educating
• The Hill is largely run by 20-somethings, please
  speak to them as peers, not students
• Make sure you address government, not governance

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Nicoles rules to live by 1

• Bypass the interns - get the name of the staffer
  working on your issue(s) and address your letter,
  email or meeting request directly to them.
  Request a response. If you get a generic response
  the first time, write again with specific
  questions ENGAGE!

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Nicoles rules to live by 2

• Always, always, make an appointment in advance
  for legislative visits. It is not likely that the
  person you seek will be available if you come by
  unannounced. Once youve made an appointment,
  remember to send topic information in advance of
  the meeting staffers appreciate the preparation
  immensely.

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Nicoles rules to live by 3

• Be aware of political context
• - Whats happening politically?
• - Timing of bills on other major issues?
• - Is this issue part of a larger issue?
• Broad Attention, Focused Action

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Nicoles rules to live by 4

• Bigger is better. The more outreach you do, and
  the bigger the coalition you can put together,
  the louder your voice is.
• Dont be afraid of strange bedfellows unless you
  think they could undermine your credibility do
  your homework!

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Nicoles rules to live by 5

• Offer assistance. Youre an expert on higher ed.
  and faculty issues, so offer yourself as a
  resource to staffers. This is especially useful
  if you can anticipate upcoming needs e.g.
  submitting questions for scheduled hearings, etc.
  
• - BUT remember to be careful about how you
  frame the offer Educating vs. Partnering

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Nicoles rules to live by 6

• Offer a business card whenever possible to get
  one in return. It makes follow-up much easier.
  And when a staffer wants to solicit opinions on a
  higher ed. bill, your number is right at their
  fingertips.

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Nicoles rules to live by 7

• Dont just sell your position TO the legislator,
  sell it FOR the legislator. If you make a solid
  case for how it directly benefits constituents,
  youve done the hard part of their job for them.

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Contact information

• Well be glad to answer any questions.
• Contact Nicole Byrd Government Relations
  Associate
  202-737-5900, ext. 142
  nbyrd_at_aaup.org