ID Action Advocacy University

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• It is easy to sit up take notice. What is
  difficult is getting up and taking action!
• Honore de Balzac, famous author

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From Taking Notice to Taking Action

• Effective Advocacy
• The Power of Participation

• Learn how to develop an effective message
• Find your own personal delivery style
• Tailor your message to fit the audience
• Apply these techniques
• Become an effective advocate!

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Step 1 Identify Your Issue.
Taking Action Smart Starts!
Step 3 Know Your Audience.
Step 2 Who Has Jurisdiction?
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Prepare Your Message.

• Define the Problem.
• Put in real terms
• Get down to sound bites
• Personalize it.
• Practice explaining it.
• Identify the Solution.
• What needs to happen?
• May be more than one.
• Practice explaining it.
• Get a question ready for your legislator.

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Prepare Your Message.

• Research Your Issue.
• Put together a fact sheet.
• Develop 3-5 persuasive reasons to support your
  solution.
• Why is it important for legislators district?
• Speak in sound bites and practice your
  delivery.
• Research Your Legislator.
• What is your legislators occupation, background?
• Look for personal connections.
• Find ways to tailor your message to legislator
  interests.
• Committee assignments show areas of interest.
• Does s/he have the power to change this?

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Deliver Your Message

• Introduce yourself.
• Briefly identify your issue.
• Put the issue into context tell a story.
• Ask for something!
• Answer ask questions
• Ask for your legislators position.
• Listen carefully.
• Thank them for their time and consideration.
• Follow-Up!

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Be PC in your Advocacy!

• Polite.
• Persistent, but Patient.
• Positive.
• Passionate.
• Persuasive.
• Prepared.
• Personalize!

• Courteous.
• Concise.
• Clear.
• Credible.
• Consistent.
• Compromise.

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Tips on Your Meeting

• Call for an appointment.
• Be organized.
• If you are going as a group, have a pre-meeting.
• Always be a good listener.
• Be on time, and dont overstay your welcome.
• Dont let the legislator evade the issue.
• Dont be awed.
• Leave a fact sheet.
• Thank them.
• Support those who support you.
• Remember, it is not personal.
• Dont give up or give in!

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Advice, Advice, Advice!

• There is no one way to lobby.
• Start with what makes you comfortable.
• As you advance challenge yourself!
• No one else will do it for you.
• It is your right responsibility.

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Habits of Highly Effective Advocates

• Get in the game early
• Do your homework
• Make your contact memorable
• Be assertive in a polite way
• Ask probing questions
• Ask for what you want
• Be direct
• Be concise and clear
• Thanks
• Follow up on each contact
• Build Relationships
• Build coalitions with others who have similar
  interests in your issue(s)
• Remember to use the news media
• Tell a good story

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Mistakes to Avoid!

• Never use glittering generalities
• Never guess or lie
• Do not mix politics with policy
• Never threaten or act righteous
• Do not make promises you cannot keep
• Never criticize other elected officials or
  organizations
• Do not call them by the wrong title

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The Legislators Perspective

• Focus first on their own constituents.
• Perception is reality.
• Does anybody else care about this?
• Who else can be influenced to advocate on this
  issue?
• Are people or groups advocating on an issue
  reputable?
• What are my colleagues hearing about this?
• Silence means that everything is ok!

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The Best Ways to Advocate?

• Personal Visits
• Identify yourself as a constituent
• Schedule an appointment and visit one-on one or
  in a small group
• Leave something in writing
• Personal Letter
• Identify yourself as a constituent
• Use plain, personal or business stationery and
  avoid form letters and always send originals, not
  copies
• Identify your organization
• Telephone
• At home or at the Capitol
• Talk with staff

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The Best Ways to Advocate?

• E-Mail
• Not all read e-mail consistently
• Ask if this is a good method of contact
• Forums and Community Meetings
• Talk to policy-makers before and after
• Get others to attend and speak up
• Create your own opportunities
• Third-Party Contacts
• Who else can be influenced to advocate on this
  issue?
• Find others who share your message to contact
  policy-makers

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Taking Action

• Go home and call your State Senator and your
  State Representative.
• Right before session starts, call them again!
• Start talking to your friends, neighbors and
  others to build support!
• Dont forget the Elections. Vote!

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• We in America are not a government of the
  majority. We are a government of the majority
  who participate.
• Thomas Jefferson