Advocacy 101 How to talk to legislators and

Advocacy 101: How to talk to legislators and why we should Adapted for Indiana by Bessie Proffet IN Chapter Public Policy Practicum Student Created by Paige Finley and Kristi Wisdom MSW Student Interns NASW Arizona Chapter © 2003 National Association of Social Workers. All Rights Reserved. 1

Special thanks to: • PAFCO (Presentation Adapted from PAFCO Training) • Suzanne Schunk LCSW • Wellstone Action http: //www. wellstone. org/ © 2003 National Association of Social Workers. All Rights Reserved. 2

Why Legislative Advocacy? It’s about POWER!!! © 2003 National Association of Social Workers. All Rights Reserved. 3

It’s About Power!! • • Power Analysis: Money or people, or both. A good idea is not enough. Being right is not enough. Who are power brokers beholden to and responsible to in the end? • Our birthright as citizens. • Our responsibilities as citizens AND AS SOCIAL WORKERS. © 2003 National Association of Social Workers. All Rights Reserved. 4

Build Coalitions and Partnerships • Act with others rather than alone! There is power in numbers. • Mobilize existing resources and create new advocates. • Create energy around the issue. • Build an email network to spread the word and call to action. © 2003 National Association of Social Workers. All Rights Reserved. 5

Lobbying vs. Advocacy Lobbying Advocacy • Specific form of • Broad promotion advocacy of an idea or • Elected officials cause are asked to take • Every day people a position on a shape public particular issue policy through and vote a certain organized way intervention • Part of an advocacy campaign © 2003 National Association of Social Workers. All Rights Reserved. 6

Types of Advocacy • • Organized Rallies Neighborhood Caucuses Informational Meetings Grass Roots Advocacy on an issue or topic by those affected Letter writing campaigns Boycotts Education Action Alerts (NASW) © 2003 National Association of Social Workers. All Rights Reserved. 7

Who is the Constituent? YOU ARE! © 2003 National Association of Social Workers. All Rights Reserved. 8

The Role of the Constituent • Register to vote and VOTE!!! • Let legislators know what you care about and what is important to you • Educate legislators about your issues • The system was designed to represent YOU. Don’t let the special interests and the money interests control the power! © 2003 National Association of Social Workers. All Rights Reserved. 9

Let’s Look at the Basics Structure of the State Government • Executive – Governor/Executive Agencies • Legislative – Legislature The Senate The House of Representatives • Judicial – Supreme Court © 2003 National Association of Social Workers. All Rights Reserved. 10

Indiana Legislature Senate – 50 districts & 50 members • President • Majority Leader (party in control with most votes) • Minority Leader • Whips • Committee Chairs • Staff © 2003 National Association of Social Workers. All Rights Reserved. House – 100 districts &100 members • Speaker of the House • Majority Leader (party in control with most votes) • Minority Leader • Whips • Committee Chairs • Staff 11

How an Idea Becomes a Law • Talk about an idea and gain some support • Write it up and find a legislator to sponsor/author the bill • The bill is introduced into either the house or the senate. • The bill is assigned to a standing committee • Standing committees hold public testimony and three hearings on each bill in its originating chamber where they may approve, amend, delete, or reject the bill. © 2003 National Association of Social Workers. All Rights Reserved. 12

How an Idea Becomes a Law: Committee Process • If the bill is still alive, it then begins the process again in either the House or the Senate (which ever one did not originate the bill) • When the bill is transferred to the other chamber, a senator or representative sponsors the bill. • If bill is amended then a Joint House/Senate Conference Committee. © 2003 National Association of Social Workers. All Rights Reserved. 13

How an Idea Becomes a Law: Final Vote • If the joint conference committee agrees then the bill goes back to both chambers for a vote. • It will then pass to the Governor who may sign or veto the bill. If she chooses to do neither, it will become a law without a signature after 7 days © 2003 National Association of Social Workers. All Rights Reserved. 14

Diagram: how a bill becomes a law • A visual representation of the previous two slides • Click Here © 2003 National Association of Social Workers. All Rights Reserved. 15

How Can We Affect This Process? • Write a bill • Speak during a committee meeting • Write your legislator a letter asking him/her to support your stance and vote a certain way • Schedule a face-to-face meeting with your legislator • Make a phone call to your legislator • Educate others about the issue/bill and encourage them to speak out as well © 2003 National Association of Social Workers. All Rights Reserved. 16

ADVOCACY is about telling the story of MORAL OUTRAGE! - DO your homework as necessary. Ø What is the size, nature, scope, impact, frequency, of the social or health issue? Ø Why does it matter if anything is done or not done? RESEARCH and FACTS! - Facts are very important, but ARE always subject to interpretation. They are always filtered through values and ideology. - Facts are not enough. Building the power to make change is necessary. - The Human Story, using emotions and passions. - Media relations – conflict and stories. “What’s the angle? ” - Being honest and credible and consistent. © 2003 National Association of Social Workers. All Rights Reserved. 17

Champions and Allies • Champions All issues need a group of lawmakers dedicated to being tireless, committed advocates for your cause. What they can do for you is make the case to their colleagues, help develop a strong “inside” strategy, and be visible public spokespeople. What they need from you is good information and visible support outside the Capitol. • Allies Another group of legislators will be on your side but can be pushed to do more – to speak up in party caucuses or on the floor. These are the legislators you need to target! © 2003 National Association of Social Workers. All Rights Reserved. 18

Your Targets • The Fence Sitters Some legislators will be uncommitted on the issues, potentially able to vote either way. • Mellow Opponents Another group will be clear votes against you, but who are not inclined to be active on the issue. What’s key is to keep them from becoming more active. • Hard Core Opponents Those who are leading your opposition. The key is to isolate them and highlight the extremes of their positions, rhetoric, and alliances. You must give other lawmakers doubts about joining them. © 2003 National Association of Social Workers. All Rights Reserved. 19

It’s about RELATIONSHIPS! • • • Building relationships with your legislators! Cultivating Champions Being bi-partisan while being true to yourself Becoming a trusted source of information. Building relationships with key players who have influence. Who are the key legislative staff and committee chairs around your issue? © 2003 National Association of Social Workers. All Rights Reserved. 20

Why Will Lawmakers and Policy Makers Listen to You? ? ? • You are a constituent from their district. • You have good reliable information. They are not experts in your field--you are. • You are a trusted source based on professional background, community status or personal knowledge. • You are representative of a group they want support from. • Your comments are representative of a broad based cross-section of politically active people • You are personally affected by the issue. © 2003 National Association of Social Workers. All Rights Reserved. 21

Remember • Legislators are generalists, they can see over 1000 bills a year. • Be a source of knowledge for them. • It takes 50 to 60 separate contacts with a legislator to make an impact. • If you don’t know something, say so, and then get back to them with the information © 2003 National Association of Social Workers. All Rights Reserved. 22

This is all very nice, but how am I supposed to do it? ? © 2003 National Association of Social Workers. All Rights Reserved. 23

Lobbying Do’s and Don’ts • • Don’t be angry Don’t be hostile Don’t threaten Don’t have too much information or take up too much of their time. • Don’t lose credibility • Don’t be dishonest or exaggerate © 2003 National Association of Social Workers. All Rights Reserved. • Do be polite and friendly • Do be concise and to the point • Do play on emotion and include personal relevance • Do mention that you are a voting constituent • Do thank them and follow up afterwards 24

501(c)(3) Nonprofits CAN lobby! 1. 501(c)(3) a. Corporations, funds, or foundations organized and operated exclusively for religious, charitable, scientific, literary, or educational purposes. b. Limited lobbying activities 2. 501(c)(4) a. Civil leagues/social welfare organizations b. Unlimited lobbying activities 3. 501(c)(6) a. Associations (NASW), Business leagues/chambers of commerce b. Unlimited lobbying activities 4. 527 a. Political organizations b. Lobbying efforts permissible but may be taxed. © 2003 National Association of Social Workers. All Rights Reserved. 25

501(c)(3) Organizations CAN: • Conduct candidate forums/meet the candidate nights with all of the candidates. • Participate in candidate forums/meet the candidate nights. • Send surveys/questionnaires to each candidate with a list of important questions. • Send information on issue(s) to all candidates so that they are informed about what the organization does. © 2003 National Association of Social Workers. All Rights Reserved. 26

501(c)(3) lobbying (cont. ) • Encourage voter registration. • Support or oppose ballot initiatives. • Prepare voter scorecards that show each legislative member has voted on key issues. • Give staff time off to vote. • Encourage staff to work at the polling places. © 2003 National Association of Social Workers. All Rights Reserved. 27

501(c)(3) Organizations CANNOT: • Show favoritism for one candidate or political party. • Target voter registration drives, get -out-the-vote campaigns, or other efforts at members of a particular political party. • Provide support (financial or inkind) to a political candidate. • Coordinate efforts with a candidate or political party. © 2003 National Association of Social Workers. All Rights Reserved. 28

Tips for Speaking Up/Out • You Have a Right to Voice Your Opinion. • You Have a Responsibility to Voice Your Opinion. • Go with at least two other people. Ø Choose a spokesperson(s). • Be disciplined. They are very busy. • Organize yourself, your group, your points, your handouts, ahead of time. Ø Why you are there? Ø What organization you are a part of? Ø Have a clear, concise, consistent message. Ø Reframe the issues as you see them. Ø Prepare a fact sheet to give to them. © 2003 National Association of Social Workers. All Rights Reserved. 29

Tips (cont. ) • Core Values: Let legislators know why you do the work you do and what it is you believe. Ø Don’t shy away from emotion. Ø Embrace controversy. • Don’t Be Defensive. • Be gracious and polite. • Don’t be nervous if you don’t know the answer to a question. • Respectfully ask for accountability and listen carefully to their response. • Ask for support. © 2003 National Association of Social Workers. All Rights Reserved. 30

MOST IMPORTANT TIP! • ALWAYS thank them for their time. © 2003 National Association of Social Workers. All Rights Reserved. 31

AFTER THE MEETING • Follow-up Thank you Letter • Opportunity for following: ØBrief recap of your position/issue and request. ØAdditional points you had no time for or forgot to say at meeting. ØAnswers to questions that came up at meeting. ØAdditional fact sheets, stats, etc. © 2003 National Association of Social Workers. All Rights Reserved. 32

Tips for Writing Letters to Your Legislator • Be brief and to the point. Identify yourself and how you (or people you know) will be affected by what's being proposed, that is, a new law, a cut in the budget or a change in the rules that govern a program. • Be clear about what you want. Name the law that's being discussed or the program rules that are about to be changed, and specifically what you want the policymaker to do. • Let your legislator know how you can be reached for further information, clarification, or help. © 2003 National Association of Social Workers. All Rights Reserved. 33

Tips for Writing Letters (cont. ) • Concentrate on your own representative. • Respectfully ask for a response to your request, and indicate that you will follow up and monitor their action. • Write original letters when possible; they are more effective than form letters and blast or repetitive emails. • Be constructive. If you believe a bill takes the wrong approach, offer an alternative. If you have expert knowledge, share it. • Encourage genuine letters from children , if appropriate, which have a strong emotional impact. © 2003 National Association of Social Workers. All Rights Reserved. 34

Tips for a Successful Phone Call • Make an outline of what you want to say ahead of time. • You will most likely talk to a secretary, always be nice to the secretary. • Urge action. • Call back for a follow-up. © 2003 National Association of Social Workers. All Rights Reserved. 35

Letters to the Editor • Remember, with a few minor changes, the letter you send to a policymaker can also be a letter to the editor in the newspaper. © 2003 National Association of Social Workers. All Rights Reserved. 36

Before Legislative Education and Advocacy Day… • Call your legislator and set up an appointment. You’ll probably be speaking with an aide or assistant. • “I would like to make an appointment with Representative (or Senator) to talk about (NASW priority issues or other pertinent issues). We will bring information about this topic”. • “I am a constituent, and a student at _____ University. I will be there as part of the annual Legislative Day for Social Workers. ” • Be prepared for a five to ten minute visit. • Thank you very much, we will see you then. © 2003 National Association of Social Workers. All Rights Reserved. 37

NASW Website • www. naswin. org • Click on “Advocacy” • Use the links for further information about: -Legislative Education & Advocacy Day (LEAD) -PACE Endorsements -Public Policy Agenda & Committee Meetings -General Assembly Committee Schedule -Voting ID Requirements © 2003 National Association of Social Workers. All Rights Reserved. 38

Resources • National Association of Social Workers – Indiana Chapter www. naswin. org • Indiana Coalition for Human Services www. ichsonline. org • The Legislative Process http: //www. in. gov/gpcpd/publications/legprocess. html • Children’s Bureau Advocacy Page http: //www. childrensbureau. org/html/advocacy. cfm • Indiana State Legislature http: //www. in. gov/legislative • National Council of Nonprofit Associations Tool Kit State Policy Action Resource Center, Summer 2004 http: //www. npaction. org/resources/Election_tool_kit 2. pdf • To find the legislator in your district http: //www. vote-smart. org/index. htm Advocacy Training