The Art of Advocacy

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The Art of Advocacy

• David A. Raymond
• President CEO
• American Council of Engineering Companies

2
What is Advocacy?

• Persuading public officials to do what you want
  them to do.
• Educating officials about the issues they are
  dealing with that are important to you.
• Shaping public policy not merely reacting to
  it.

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Importance of Advocacy

• If you are not at the table, you could be on
• the menu!

4
How to Conduct AdvocacyEssential Steps

• Goal Setting
• Identifying and Defining Targets
• Plan of Action
• Recruiting Lobbyists
• How to Handle Meetings with Officials
• Measures of Success

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First Set Clear Goals

• For Example
• Tax Objective 9 tax deduction for engineering
  firms to protect critical industry.
• Procurement Objective Mandatory use of
  Qualifications Based Selection (QBS) to protect
  public health and safety.
• Infrastructure Funding Objective 30 increase
• in transportation funds to boost the
  economy.

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Identify Targets

• Legislators who create laws at the national and
  local levels.
• Government officials who administer the laws
  and develop procedures to implement them.
• Office seekers who need support for their
  efforts to become legislators or officials.
• The Media who help shape public opinion.

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Plan of Action

• Champions Recruit those public officials who
  will lead your cause and use your information.
• Allies Recruit those who will support you.
• Uncommitted Converting them will be key to your
  success.
• Opponents Discredit them as holding extreme or
  faulty positions, giving the uncommitted pause
  about joining them.

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Prepare for Battle Find A Gladiator!

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Your Gladiators

• Lobbyists Staff or outside professionals
  experienced in dealing with government officials.
• Members Association members to contact their
  legislators, showing widespread support for your
  position.
• Coalition Alliance of groups to pursue your
  interests.

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Advocacy Tools

• Position Paper One-page statement of what you
  want, and why it is good for the public.
• Testimony Written and oral presentations before
  a public audience. Keep it short and to the
  point.
• Media Engage the press to help shape public
  opinion. Contact them personally.
• Fundraising Support your candidates
  financially.

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Rules for Meeting With Officials

• Be Prepared. Decide what you want in advance.
• Develop relationship with officials staff.
• Keep your group small (not more than three).
• Be specific. Ask for what you want. Dont
  discuss more than three items (one is optimal).
• Get what you want and leave. Dont overstay your
  welcome or undo what you have accomplished.
• Send a thank you note (which repeats the
  understanding you reached).

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Play to Win

• Dont get sidetracked. Dont be satisfied with
  merely a good effort. Be persistent.
• Be adept. There is more than one way to win.
• Sustain a relationship. Not a one-shot deal.
  Live to fight another day.
• Fully fund your advocacy program. You cant win
  if you are under-funded.

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Results of Successful Advocacy Achievement of
Goals

• Greater investment in infrastructure
• Favorable tax treatment
• Favorable procurement policies
• Enhanced public image

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Results of Successful AdvocacyRecognition

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Conclusion

• Advocacy is the single most important
  role of a business association.
• It can achieve a better business environment
• for your members.
• It will result in greater appreciation by
  your
• members for the work of the association.
  

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For a video dramatizing ACECs practice of
advocacy, ask for the award-winning video
The Voice of the Engineering Industry