Expanding Influence: Understanding Effective Political Advocacy

1
Expanding Influence Understanding Effective
Political Advocacy

• Achieving Global Results
• November 11, 2005
• Baltimore, Maryland

2
Who wouldve guessed!

• Fulbright Alumni in the 109th Congress
• 1 (Rep. Tom Cole)
• Most references of a foreign country (Iraq
  excluded) on the floor of the House in 2005
• Mexico (1,286)
• Top 5 Afghanistan, Israel, China, Canada
• True or False There is a Congressional Morocco
  Caucus.
• True (Chairs Rep. Phil English John Tanner)
• Its also true that 65 Members belong to the
  House/Senate International Education Study Group

3
Grassroots Advocacy a new approach

• The Power of Constituency
• Communities Organized to Influence
• Relationship-Based
• Values Direct, Personal Communication
• Qualitative over Quantitative
• Bottom up Open Source Advocacy

4
A Day in the Life

• Sunday (in the District)

5
A Day in the Life

• Monday (in the District)

6
Monday (In the District), Cont.

• Monday (in the District cont.)

7
A Day in the Life

• Tuesday (at the Capitol)

8
A Day in the Life

• Wednesday (at the Capitol)

9
A Day in the Life

• Wednesday (at the Capitol, cont.)

10
A Day in the Life

• Wednesday (more at the Capitol)

11
A Day in the Life

• Wednesday (still more)

12
A Day in the Life (Yet more Wed.)

• Wednesday (yet more!)

13
A Day in the Life

• Thursday (at the Capitol)
• See Wednesday
• Only difference is possible flight at 500pm to
  the west coast

14
A Day in the Life

• Friday (in the District)
• Much like the Monday schedule, with meetings
  during the day, dinners, and receptions in the
  evenings
• Saturday (in the District)
• Much like Sunday with limited meetings during the
  day (members do try to get a bit of a break!) and
  a potential dinner or other event in the evening.

15
Your Sphere of Influence

• What Influences Legislators?
• Friends, Colleagues
• Background
• Staff
• Job and Development Issues in Their Districts
• The Media
• Money?
• The Message
• Legislative Process
• Their Own Principles
• Good Public Service

• MOST IMPORTANT
• Their Constituents
• Representative Democracy reflects and amplifies
  the POWER of the Grassroots

16
10 Things Hill Staff Hate to Hear

• 10. But I thought my appointment was with the
  Senator!
• 9. Heres some reading material for you our
  300 page annual report
• 8. How much of a campaign contribution did
  your boss get to vote against (or for) this bill?
• 7. I assume you know all about H.R. 1234

17
10 Things Hill Staff Hate to Hear

• 6. No, I dont have an appointment but I
  promise Ill only take ½ hour of your time.
• 5. No, I dont really need anything specific.
• 4. We have ten (or more) people in our group.
  What do you mean we have to stand in the hall?
• 3. What youre telling me cant be right. I
  heard insert inflammatory talk radio personality
  here say otherwise.
• 2. How old ARE you?

18
And the 1 thing staff hate to hear

• No, I dont represent anyone from your district.
  I just thought youd be interested in what I have
  to say.

19
and the conversations they want to have

• What the Local Statistics Are
• How Programs Work in the District and How Your
  Request Would Affect the District or District
  Voters
• Real Life Stories that Illuminate Statistics
• How You (or your Organization) Reach Voters in
  the District
• What Specific Action Would Make You Happy

20
Effective Advocacy Letters Email

• Identify Yourself as a Constituent
• State Your Position Make Your Ask
• Personalize Localize
• Be Brief Simple
• Proper Form of Address

• Be Polite
• No Enclosures
• Dont Exaggerate or Lie
• Be Timely
• Follow up

21
Successful Lobby Meetings

• Make An Appointment
• Do Your Homework
• Stay On Message
• Go Local
• Make a Clear, Actionable Request

• Cultivate a Long-Term Relationship w/ Staff
• Follow-up
• Dont Be Rude or Use Threats
• Avoid Partisan Politics
• Dont Get Too Comfortable

22
Understanding the Hill or what you didnt learn
in civics class

• Not all Congressmen are created equal know your
  member
• Relationships rule
• Different Chambers, Different Personalities
• Staff Matter

• Understanding the process helps you make the
  right ask
• People can drive process
• Its about geography
• Dont ignore the district
• Committees are key

23
Understanding the Hill or what you didnt learn
in civics class

• Authorization vs. Appropriation
• Rules Rule
• Unanimous Consent
• Suspensions
• Open, Closed Floor Rules in the House

• Committee Action
• Key role of Chairman, Ranking Member
• Referrals
• Full vs. Sub
• Mark-ups
• Conference Committees

24
Understanding the Hill or what you didnt learn
in civics class

• Know the congressional seasons
• Each Congress is a two-year cycle
• Spring means new bills, budgets, and constituent
  conferences
• Falls focus is appropriations
• Key recess periods
• August
• Year End
• A typical voting week is Tuesday Thursday

25
Plotting your campaign

• What do you want?
• The Issue
• The Message the Ask
• Who should you ask?
• The Target
• The Venue
• How should you ask?
• The Message
• The Tools
• Who should ask?
• Roles Advocates
• How should you follow-up?
• Relationships and the long-term

5 Cs of Messaging Clear Concise Compelling Convi
ncing Contrasting
26
Relationships with Legislators

• Be a resource
• Personal
• District-focus
• Issue-focus
• Stay in-touch
• Offer audiences, outlets
• Be engaged in the community
• Take advantage of recess periods

• Give Them a Chance to Succeed
• Acknowledge and recognize
• Identify opportunities within your network
• Cultivate
• Staff

27
Ideas for Instant Advocacy

• Ask members to
• Meet in the district
• Attend an event
• Write an article
• Demonstrate ongoing support through
• Letters
• Votes
• Influence with other Legislators
• Legislation

• You should
• Give recognition
• Thank your lawmakers
• Train and organize your grassroots
• Keep track of important data about your issue,
  your community
• Participate in the political process

28
Your chance to be James Carville (or Karl Rove)

• Your Advocacy Action Plan
• 3 Advocacy Actions
• 1 New Partner or Expanded Network
• 1 Advocacy Moment

29
Final thoughts

• Be persistent
• Seek partners
• People matter build your advocacy network
• Be creative
• GO FORTH AND ADVOCATE!

30
For more information

• Jason Jordan
• 4000 Albemarle St., NW,
• Suite 302
• Washington, DC 20016
• 202.244.4866
• jjordan_at_advocacyassociates.com
• Visit the website
• Newsletter
• Additional Resources
• Online Classroom
• More!