Advocacy 101 Erica M Romero and Karen Y

Advocacy 101 Erica M. Romero and Karen Y. Zamarripa San Antonio, Texas October 30, 2006

Advocacy v. Lobbying Advocacy: When nonprofit organizations/colleges advocate on their own behalf; seek to affect some aspect of society, whether they appeal to individuals about their behavior, employers about their rules, or the government about its laws. Lobbying: Lobbying refers specifically to advocacy efforts that attempt to influence legislation.

Restriction on 501 C 3 s A 501(c)(3) non-profit cannot: • Endorse or directly campaign for a candidate, party or ballot initiative. • Contribute directly or in-kind to a candidate, party or ballot initiative. • Distribute materials aimed to influence the outcome of an election.

Restriction on Nonprofits Lobbying Limits On 501(c)(3)s: IRS regulations allow 501(c)(3) organizations to spend an “insubstantial” amount of money on lobbying.

Institutional Advocacy Who and How • Governing boards, presidents/chancellors are usually the only entities who can take a position for the institution or system • Presidents/chancellors, faculty and staff writing personal letters on a bill should refrain from using their title/organization name • Individuals have rights to express their personal views but any title/organization name must be listed as for identification purposes only (some schools prohibit the use of title/organization period).

What Can We Do? • Present educational information: must not be biased and must “permit an individual or the public to form an independent opinion or conclusion. ” • Provide forums for candidate debates, town halls and forums as long as offered to both sides (whether at the same time or not) • Support voter registration efforts

What Can We Do? • Take positions on legislation and budget issues • Take positions on ballot initiatives (subject to lobbying limitations) such as general obligation bonds and other matters of direct impact to institution

Best Practices in Making Your Case • Know your audience - Do Your Homework – Who are they? – How does the issue relate to their district, constituents, voters and communities? • Choose the right or best messenger(s) for effort • Anticipate and be prepared to address opposing arguments, questions • Repeat your message – over and over!

A Message to Remember Create a succinct message! • Si Se Puede • A Mind Is A Terrible Thing To Waste • Just Say No

Friend, Foes and Others: Who Are They? • Champions • Allies • Fence Sitters • Mellow Opponents • Hard Core Opponents

The Basics: Letter Writing The Do’s • State the bill number/budget item and your position in the first paragraph • Address only one issue per lette • Explain how the bill impacts you and the Member’s District • Use a personal story when possible

The Basics: Letter Writing The Do’s • Include your return address (legislators often discard mail from non-constituents). • Keep the letter to no more than two pages; preferably one. • FAX letter the same day mailed to Members

The Basics: Letter Writing The Don’ts • Do not copy sample letters verbatim; personalize • Do not use negative, condescending, threatening or intimidating language. • Do not enclose extra material

The Basics: Office Visits The Do’s • Make an appointment – tell the scheduler what you want to discuss and who will be attending the meeting • Be Prepared – bring a one-pager on the bill you seek to address – Know your audience: member district, voting history • Appoint a spokesperson

The Basics: Office Visits The Do’s • Be assertive but polite and respectful • Make a clear ASK of the Member, staff • Send a thank you note – Don’t forget staff too! – Another chance to confirm the ASK

The Basics: Office Visits The Don’ts • Turn down meetings with staff • Rude, argumentative and threatening people will be remembered – but not for the right reason • Don’t be late

Legislative Staff Contacts Do’s • Be polite, respectful of all staff • Make introductions, provide card for future contact, reference during the meeting • Give the staffer background information • Note questions and make sure to follow-up

Grassroots Advocacy: Making It Local, Personal • Alumni Advocacy • Community, Business Leaders • People of Influence • Donors/Supporters

Coalition Building: More and Diverse Voices • Develop partners interested in common issues, outcomes • Build a broad coalition – Think organizations outside of education – Who would influence your audience? • Different types of influence – Grassroots, “grass tops” • Who DON’T the members want to oppose?

The Fourth House: Media • Media influences voters, communities, and elected officials – Both Proactive and defensive strategies can be used • Tell a story – make it personal, local • Media events should be provocative, exciting – Why is your story better than another, or of greater interest to reporters and their readers? • Keep it timely • Press releases – One page

Your Turn to be the Advocate • Take The DREAM ACT • Create a 5 -minute pitch for the Act for meetings with: – 1) Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert (R-IL) – 2) House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) – 3) Rep. Loretta Sanchez (D- CA)

Your Turn to be the Advocate • Develop strategy for your objective – Who and what will influence them? – What Grassroots Advocacy are you going to use in this effort? – Who should be part of your coalition? – Who is your spokesperson for each meeting? – Is there a way to use the media?

Contact Information Erica M. Romero Western Regional Office 915 L Street, Suite 1425 Sacramento, CA 95814 Phone: (916) 442 -0392 Fax: (916) 446 -4028 Karen Y. Zamarripa The California State University 915 L Street, Suite 1160 Sacramento, CA 95814 Phone: (916) 445 -5983 Fax: (916) 322 -4719

References • CAN Advocacy/Lobbying Guide: http: //independenceave. org/advocacy/guide/ctnonp rofits. org_a 1. pdf • http: //www. biodiversityproject. org/EF%20 Kit/EFCraf tingcommunication. pdf#search='crafting%20 your% 20 message'