Navigating Washington

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Navigating Washington

• NSGIC Advocacy 2009

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What is Advocacy?

• Advocacy is the act or process of advocating (to
  speak in favor of) or supporting a particular
  (legislative) cause or issue.

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NSGIC Advocacy Mission

• NSGIC advocates for efficient and effective
  government through the prudent adoption and use
  of geospatial information and technologies and
  works with legislators to address NSGIC Advocacy
  issues.

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Why Advocate?

• The more successful NSGIC is in gaining support
  and resources for its critical priorities and
  initiatives, the stronger we become.
• When you get involved in the legislative process
  and share your expertise and experiences with
  NSGIC, we all have a stronger voice.
• Contacting your Members of Congress directly to
  advocate on advocacy issues ensures that Congress
  will hear your message directly!

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When You Engage Your Policy Leaders!

• Put a face on it
• Use the high priority issue of the day to make it
  meaningful
• They dont have to know how it works
• Let a picture (map) do the talking

Governor Jim Geringer
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How well informed are executives on IT issues?
86
CIOs
CEOs
45
Agency Directors
36
Executive Oversight and Budget Personnel
28
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Legislative Bodies
0 50 100
Source JFK School of Government, Harvard
University
From Governor Jim Geringer
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A Technology Solution must deliver value or
benefit

• Technology by itself does NOT deliver benefit
• Technology enables process transformation which
  may deliver benefit at lower cost or better
  quality
• Focus on purpose

Governor Jim Geringer
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Tips on Achieving Legislative and Fiscal Goals in
Washington

• Congress -- An Institution, a bureaucracy
• House
• Members focused on their district
• Members focused on their committees
• Senate
• Members work on a broader range of issues, but
  typically focus on committees and flagship
  issues

Diana Zinkl - NSGIC 05
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The Role of Congressional Staff

• Support
• Expertise
• Familiarity
• Judgment
• Maintaining Relationships
• Time

Diana Zinkl - NSGIC 05
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Moving an Item

• Clear Goals, well developed details
• Draft Legislation - have language ready
• Who do you start with?
• What Agency/Committee has Oversight?
• Senate
• House
• White House/Executive Branch
• An alliance - agencies, associations, nonprofits,
  private sector, grassroots
• Sponsorship in both Chambers
• Patience is Key!!!!!

Diana Zinkl - NSGIC 05
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Realities

• Washington usually moves much more slowly than
  state government
• Long-term relationships matter
• Personal networks are important
• A slow and steady approach, with much
  perseverance and respectful communication is the
  key

Diana Zinkl - NSGIC 05
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Basic Advocacy Etiquette

• Dos
• Provide reliable information
• Be positive and friendly
• Be sensitive about time
• Treat staff with the same level of respect as the
  Member of Congress
• Admit if you dont know an answer and promise to
  follow up
• Leave your name and contact information
• Let them know you are from NSGIC

• Donts
• Dont arrive without an appointment and expect to
  be seen
• Dont be upset if your member doesnt see you
  personally (meetings with staff are very
  productive)
• Dont get too comfortable or casual
• Dont forget to follow-up

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Additional DOS and DONTS

• Credibility is everything - Tell the truth
• Dont just present requests, provide solutions
• Work for relationships, not quick achievements
• Planning is paramount
• Communicate effectively and efficiently no
  jargon
• Observe basic courtesies The Golden Rule
• Explain what your goal means to them
• Focus on the purpose
• Follow-up
• Finally, and perhaps most importantly, listen

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Here is what State Reps can do!

• Inform legislators about the existence of NSGIC
• who we are
• what we do
• what we're about
• Briefly describe the NSGIC initiative you are
  advocating and why it is important
• Focus on purpose and NOT technology
• Talk about specific reasons a NSGIC initiative is
  important to your state
• Advocate for your own State initiatives
• Differentiate your State issues from NSGIC issues
• Be clear that your State issues are not
  necessarily endorsed by NSGIC

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NSGIC Hill Visit Schedule

• Wednesday February 25, 2009
• 830 a.m. - Transportation to Washington, DC
• 1000 a.m. to 5 p.m. Self Arranged
  Congressional Visits
• 1100 a.m. Health Human Services Meeting
• Metro from Union Station to Hyattsville
• 1130 a.m. to 1230 p.m. BLM Operations Center
  Demo
• Department of Interior Building
• 200 p.m. - Department of Homeland Security
  Meeting
• Department of Interior Building
• 500 p.m. - Fifty States for the Nation
  Reception
• Rayburn Building
• 730 p.m. - Transportation to Hotel/Annapolis

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NSGIC 2008 2009 Advocay Agenda

• Imagery for the Nation
• Parcel Mapping
• Partnership Funding
• Transportation for the Nation
• Technology for the 21st Century

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Thank You and Questions