How To Lobby Yorrk Chapter Day Inside the Beltway Visit May 13, 2009

©SHRM Overview Logistics for visits with elected officials What to expect How to conduct a meeting Summary of issues to be discussed during Hill visits Tips and tactics from congressional staff

©SHRM Capitol Hill Logistics

©SHRM How to Lobby Your Member of Congress (MOC) Select a meeting leader to provide: Group introduction SHRM introduction Issue introduction

©SHRM How to Lobby Issues to Cover in the Senate: 1. Workplace Flexibility Issues to Cover in the House: 1. Employment verification

©SHRM How to Lobby Employment Verification: Key Points Fixing the federal employment verification system by establishing a reliable and efficient state-of-the- art electronic system is the only way to guarantee a legal workforce H.R provides a new, user-friendly electronic employment verification system by replacing the current paper-based and error-prone method of verifying employment eligibility SHRM encourages members of the House to cosponsor H.R. 2028, the New Employee Verification Act

©SHRM Workplace Flexibility: Key Points SHRM opposes the Healthy Families Act because it represents an unworkable, one-size-fits-all mandate SHRM believes employers should offer voluntary paid sick leave, but employers are best situated to know the benefit preferences of their workforce SHRM welcomes dialogue and debate on a workplace flexibility policy for the 21st Century How to Lobby

©SHRM Your Advantages You are the expert Only 2 out of 535 Members of Congress have an HR background You deal with these issues on a daily basis, and understand their real world implications You are their constituent, and represent employers throughout the state How to Lobby

©SHRM Remember you are representing SHRM and your organization Clearly explain what impact the proposed issues will have on your workplace Use workplace experiences that relate to the issue – tell your personal story State your position Ask official/staff to state their position on the issue How to Lobby

©SHRM Thank them for their time and offer to be a resource Leave supporting documents Leave a business card and ask for the staff member’s business card Follow up – send a thank you note that reiterates your position Maintain the relationship you just created How to Lobby

©SHRM Questions

©SHRM Recardo Gibson Member Advocacy Specialist