Lobbying 101 Delivering Your Message To Elected Officials

Lobbying 101: Delivering Your Message To Elected Officials Special thanks to Families USA for permission to use

Lobbying versus Advocacy • Lobbying = influencing public officials to – take a specific position on a piece of legislation or – take a desired action • 501(c)(3)s can spend up to 20 percent of budget on lobbying* • Nonprofit organizations can and should lobby * According to the Internal Revenue Code.

Lobbying versus Advocacy • Advocacy = GENERAL information about a problem and proposed solution • Advocates create awareness • Advocates suggest improvements to people who have power • Advocacy is NOT synonymous with lobbying • Advocacy is about education

What Can You Offer Elected Officials? • Compelling stories • Expert knowledge • Community perspective

Meeting with Your Legislator • Try to meet face to face • Establish rapport • Research committee assignments and specialties • Thank your Senator or Representative

How to Set up a Meeting • Call to find out who to contact • Include the date, time, and topic • Be flexible • Call back in a week

Meeting Tips • Identify yourself as a constituent • Have a clear "ask” • Explain why it’s needed • Give local examples • Ask their position and why they hold it

Meeting Tips (continued) • Don’t neglect legislators on the opposite side • Ask your legislator about specific votes • Take materials with you

Lobbying Don’ts 1. Don’t cover too many issues in a visit 2. Don’t be argumentative 3. Don’t expect them to be specialists 4. Don’t do all the talking

After Your Visit • Always follow up with a Thank You • Volunteer to be a resource contact

So Who does the lobbying if you don’t? • Next we’ll take a look at special interest groups. • We are moving from the question of how to lobby to the issue of the WHO of lobbying.