Oregon Library Association Legislative Advocacy 101 OLA Lobbyists

Oregon Library Association Legislative Advocacy 101 OLA Lobbyists: Amanda Dalton and Nicole Crane

Getting someone to agree with you What is Advocacy? What do you want them to agree to? Yes Vote No Vote Raise Try that new restaurant? Don’t need 100% agreement 51%

How did we get here? A problem was identified Research Matters Where are we going? A solution was brainstormed, negotiated, debated, researched A solution was drafted Leave Behind/1 -Pager 3 -4 Bullets Headlines with Bolding and Underlining Images / Attractive

More Research Your Audience Who are they What do they know What is their background or experience with this issue? Or connection with you/the issue

Prep for the Meeting Timeline – Map Out 15 Mins 0 -5: Sit down, Settle in, Small Talk Body Language 5 -10/12: Make Your Pitch 12 -15: Questions Be Prepared for Questions Know the details Be Prepared for Random Questions Be OK with “I don’t know” …. . but I’ll find out

Why Should They Care? Need to know up front – Active Listener Most People Listen to WII-FM Consider How Many Requests In Average Day? The Message Examples why they care: In their Committee Constituent Controversy Support Effort

Most Important Issue to You – Not Them Manage Expectations You want them to: Immediately agree Commit to action Share talking points They want to: Better understand the issue Do their own research Take time to commit to action (staff counsel)

What do they need to know? What goes in Message? What are you trying to do? Problem/Solution 3 Things – Law of 3 Easy to Understand Provides Road Map – Active Listening Who Supports? Who Opposes?

Why should they support you? What goes in message? Relationships Helpful Instant Credibility Takes time to build Relationships: Be honest Provide factual data Candid answers (within message box)

The WHO matters…. Depending on whom you are meeting with Committee Member Chairman Bill Sponsor Your Manager Budget Officer City Council

Anticipate Questions What would you want to know? What didn’t you know when you started? Practice with Friends

Be Specific Make the Ask! Offer Help / Assistance to Deliver

Interim More time Building Relationships Legislative Session 15 -mins Issue targeted

• OLA Legislative Committee • Coalition Partners About OLA Process • Setting OLA Legislative Agenda • Prioritize • 1 -pagers • 2020/21 Legislative Update

Relationship Building Pathways to Success in 2020 and 2021 Contact your Legislators’ biographies and district information are available online on OLIS Learn their positions on OLA priorities During session, legislators often only have 15 -minute appointments – meaning building a relationship outside of session is key Invite your legislator to come to your library for a reading session with children: Great opportunity for legislators to learn about your program; for you to thank them in person for approving the Ready to Read grant Arrange for photo, send a copy & thank you to the legislator as follow-up

Thank Legislators for Their Support Pathways to Success Continued § Write a note to your Legislator thanking them for the Ready to Ready grant funding § Legislators want to know that funding is meaningful and hear the individual value on your library and community

Community Outreach § Write a letter to the Editor or an opinion piece supporting legislation Pathways to Success Continued § Educate parents of the role of library in the community/State § Offer Meeting Rooms/Space

Come to the Capitol § Participate in OLA’s legislative day 2021 Pathways to Success Continued § Testify at a legislative committee hearing § Public testimony before a committee may influence the committee’s action § Submit written testimony into the record if you do not want to speak § Meet with your Representative or Senator § Legislative meetings are usually scheduled for 15 minutes § Use the one-pager OLA provides to help guide your conversation § Ask for their support

Governor Kate Brown Two Chambers: Senate – 30 elected members House – 60 elected members The 2020 Legislature 2020 Session Dates: • Feb. 3 rd – Mar. 8 th • 2 o 20 General Election: • Secretary of State, Attorney General and State Treasurer • 60 House Members • 15 Senate Members

QUESTIONS?