Title: American Humanics Management Institute
1Strengthening Policy through Advocacy
American Humanics Management Institute January
5, 2007 Presented by Kelita Svoboda Bak Vice
President, Government Relations Camp Fire USA
2Key Definitions Public Policy Laws,
regulations, executive orders, judicial rulings,
rules by elected and other government officials
that affect the public realm. Advocacy
Promoting a cause and influencing public opinion
as well as public policy Legislative Advocacy
Lobbying as well as other advocacy such as media
and grassroots organizing that can influence the
legislative process Lobbying A specific,
legally defined activity that involves stating a
position on specific legislation to elected
legislators and/or asking them to support a
specific position. Classified as direct or
grassroots. Grassroots lobbying Communicating a
position on particular legislation to the general
public, and then asking the general public to
contact their elected representatives to request
their support of this position. Legislation
Action by Congress, state legislatures, local
governing bodies, or by the public in a
referendum, initiative, Constitutional amendment,
or similar procedure. Does not include action by
the executive branch, independent administrative
agencies, or judicial branch.
3Isnt talking to elected officials considered
lobbying? And, can I do that as a
non-profit? YES
4Why would a non-profit want to lobby? ? Raise
awareness of their mission ? Mobilize members,
volunteers, donors and board ? Attract favorable
media attention ? Establish or expand government
investment in specific programs ? Reform laws
and regulations that govern the operation and
evaluation of their programs? Confer benefits
far beyond that of any one direct service
program ? Solve problems
5Potential Target Audiences
- Elected Officials
- (from all political parties)
- Agency officials whose jurisdiction may relate to
your programs
- Coalitions/Partners
- And the Media
6Understand What You CAN Do
- On your ownAnything!
- Representing an organization
- Most 501(c)(3) non-profits can lobby within the
limits drawn by the IRS - Under the 1976 law, the only time lobbying takes
place is when your organization is spending money
on a lobbying activity. - Substantial part test vs. expenditure test.
- Section 501(h) and Form 5768
- Lobbying Disclosure Act
7Highlights of 501(h) Election
- Defined and easy-to-calculate spending limits
- Clear Definitions
- Track only expenditures
- No single-year penalty for excessive lobbying
- Protection for officers and directors
- No increased risk of audit
8Understand What You CAN Do
- As a 501(c)3
- Direct and Grassroots Lobbying
- Contact about Regulations
- Communicate to public about legislation
- Testify if written request
- Discuss broad social or economic issues
- Provide non-partisan research or studies
- Self-defense activities (protect existence,
powers, tax-exempt status)
9Understand What You CAN Do
- As a 501(c)3
- Inform the media
- Publicize results of your work
- Create partnerships with government agencies
- Invite elected officials to visit your programs
10Understand What You CANNOT Do
- As a 501(c)3
- Endorse or oppose political candidates nor
mobilize supporters to elect or defeat
candidates - Align with political parties, contribute to
candidates, parties, or PACs - Lobby with federal funding
11Understand What You CAN Do
- As a recipient of federal funding
- Educate elected officials
- Inform the media
- Publicize results of your work
- Create partnerships with government agencies
- Testify if written request
12Rules Changes in 110th Congress
- House Ethics Rules for Members and Staff
- No gifts or meals from lobbyists or
organizations that employ lobbyists - No travel financed or planned by lobbyists
(except Universities certain day trips) - No K Street Projects
- Annual ethics training
- Fully Disclose all earmarks
13Tools Resources
U.S. Clerk of the House - http//clerk.house.gov/
United States Senate www.senate.gov/lobby U.S.
Senate Office of Public Records -
http//sopr.senate.gov/ Internal Revenue Service
- www.irs.gov Center for Lobbying in the Public
Interest - www.clpi.org Youth Policy Action
Center www.youthpolicyactioncenter.org
Lobbying Disclosure Act Filing Dates Jan 1-Jun
30 Mid Year Report due August 14 and July 1-Dec
31 Year End Report due February 14.
14Opportunities for Engagement
- Point of Entry meetings
- Opening or closing sessions of camp
- Volunteer and/or Youth recognition and
celebration events or kick-offs - Absolutely Incredible Kid Day
- Service and service-learning projects
- Days of Service (MLK, NYSD/GYSD, Make a
Difference Day, etc)
15 16THANK YOU!
KELITA SVOBODA BAKVice President, Government
RelationsCamp Fire USA OFFICE OF GOVERNMENT
RELATIONS1319 F Street, NW, Suite
402Washington, DC 20004 Telephone 202 347
2003 Telephone 888 209 8809Fax 202 393
4517E-mail kelita.bak_at_campfireusa.org