1. T IPS ON B ECOMING AN E FFECTIVE N ON - PROFIT A DVOCATE Jessica Lowe-Minor, Executive Director League of Women Voters of Florida

2. G IVEN THE MANY CRUCIAL ISSUES FACING NON - PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS AND THE PEOPLE THEY SERVE, IT IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER THAT CHARITIES BECOME INVOLVED IN THE PUBLIC POLICY DEBATE.

3. Y ET TOO MANY PEOPLE MISTAKENLY ASSUME THAT IT IS ILLEGAL FOR NON - PROFITS TO LOBBY.

4. W HAT ARE THE L EGAL R ESTRICTIONS ON N ON - PROFIT A DVOCACY ? - Direct vs. Grassroots lobbying - Both must constitute an “insubstantial” part of an organization’s budget (20% or less)

5. W AIT ! D O I N EED TO R EGISTER AS A L OBBYIST ON B EHALF OF M Y O RGANIZATION ?

6. S O, N OW I AM R EADY TO L OBBY FOR M Y O RG – W HAT A RE THE S TEPS ?

7. 1. Read up on the member's voting record, most recent activities, and be familiar with their priorities. A staff person can often send you the member's latest press releases, articles, and other helpful information.

8. 2. Do what you can to learn of any bias or special circumstances the member has – is she/he a business owner, academic professional, or special interest advocate?

9. 3. Though you will have thought about specific agenda items before the visit, you should be prepared to discuss other policy issues that the member may ask about. Offer to follow up with the requested information if you don't know the answer.

10. 4. Ask what your organization can do to show support – generate constituent letters, provide information on issues, etc.

11. 5. Offer to keep the member or a staffer on your mailing list and to give them advance notice of important League events.

12. 6. Ask for something concrete from the member – speaking at an upcoming event, co- sponsorship of a bill, a floor statement, or a vote.

13. 7. Follow-up with a thank you that restates the commitments made by both you and the member.

14. 8. Ask the member for impressions and predictions about our issues, the local political scene, and the latest on what's happening in the legislature.

15. 9. Say thank you – first, last and always.

16. 10. When meeting with a staffer, all of the above apply!

17. Q UESTIONS ? Email me at: LWVFexecutiveDirector@gmail.com