ADVOCACY: Making a Difference

Contacting Elected Officials Tell your story to YOUR elected officials Tell your story to YOUR elected officials The squeaky wheel really does get the grease The squeaky wheel really does get the grease Contact officials at all levels: local, state, federal Contact officials at all levels: local, state, federal

Determine What You Need Talk with your members about their needs and concerns Talk with your members about their needs and concerns Analyze specific needs/ projects and quantify to the extent possible Analyze specific needs/ projects and quantify to the extent possible Identify regional or statewide impact/benefit Identify regional or statewide impact/benefit Develop an agenda that members support Develop an agenda that members support

Develop Your Case Establish the benefits of increased funding Establish the benefits of increased funding Research similar funding in other states or other regions Research similar funding in other states or other regions Test different messages Test different messages

…Then Contact Elected Officials Get to know YOUR legislators, local officials and Congressional representatives Get to know YOUR legislators, local officials and Congressional representatives Set up a meeting: over a cup of coffee in the district, at the Capitol or City Hall, at your facility Set up a meeting: over a cup of coffee in the district, at the Capitol or City Hall, at your facility

Contact Elected Officials Formal appointments Formal appointments Letters/ s Letters/ s Telephone Calls Telephone Calls Testimony at hearings Testimony at hearings Hallway discussions Hallway discussions Post card campaigns Post card campaigns

Events Great way to publicize your issue and your group Great way to publicize your issue and your group Invite legislators Invite legislators Invite Media Invite Media Inspire your members Inspire your members

Working With Coalitions All groups benefit from allies All groups benefit from allies Retain leadership over your issue Retain leadership over your issue Deal with issues where there is consensus Deal with issues where there is consensus

Media – A Critical Piece Free advertising! Free advertising! Provide members with sample letters to editor, guest editorials Provide members with sample letters to editor, guest editorials Send out press packets, introduce your group as The Expert for reporters to turn to Send out press packets, introduce your group as The Expert for reporters to turn to Organize press conferences to announce major developments Organize press conferences to announce major developments

Electoral Activity Legislators remember folks who volunteer on campaigns Legislators remember folks who volunteer on campaigns Everyone is a citizen can get involved on their own time Everyone is a citizen can get involved on their own time Rebates make it easy to contribute to candidates Rebates make it easy to contribute to candidates

Advocacy Vs. Lobbying Lobbyist: Engaged for pay by another and spends more than $250 or 50 hours per month Lobbyist: Engaged for pay by another and spends more than $250 or 50 hours per month –Employee or local government official who spends more than 50 hours per month –Spends more than $250 of own money to influence legislation

Advocate Is a champion for a cause. Is a champion for a cause. Even public sector members can provide information. Even public sector members can provide information. Biggest distinction: asking a lawmaker to vote for or against a specific bill or amendment Biggest distinction: asking a lawmaker to vote for or against a specific bill or amendment

Get Involved! To be effective: To be effective: –Determine your needs and develop your case –Get Noticed! –Talk to lawmakers –Talk to the media –Work with others –Consider electoral politics

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