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A Top Ten Insider's Guide to Legislative Advocacy
- Don't be a stranger to your elected officials and
their staff members. The most persuasive messages come
from familiar faces. Know them by name, and make sure they
know you by name. Anonymity is the antithesis of effectiveness.
Invite officials to your community partnership programs
for conversations and photos. When it comes to creating
a positive impression....Seeing is Believing.
- Introduce yourself at every opportunity. Always have
business cards with you and hand them out like candy at
Halloween -- always have extras. Ask for cards from others
and send them an acknowledgement note or e-mail with a
day or two of the meeting.
- Always say "thank you" before you say "please." Even
if you disagree with your elected official's positions
on some (or even most) issues, they are more likely to
listen to you if you've found some way to praise them.
If nothing else, thank them for the courage to be a public
office holder.
- A well-written, brief thank you note is always appreciated.
Remember, officials get 25 complaints for every compliment.
Like the wise hotel maitre 'd once taught me in my
dining room waitering days, "Only two types of people
respond well to an honest compliment -- males and females."
- The hometown connection is essential to help elected
officials listen with both ears. Concentrate on principles
of policy, rather than too many specifics which may change
by the hour. Trust that your "every day professional
advocates" know the details; your job is to set the
stage with your elected officials and to pave the way for
your allied advocates at the Capitol. There's a real
difference between lobbying and advocacy. Lobbyists make
it hard for elected officials to say "No." Advocates
make it easy for them to say "Yes." Advocates
do not need to be partisan, do not require a PAC, and never
resort to threats or retribution to be effective.
- Always be concise and to the point. The issue or program
you advocate should to be compressed into a paragraph and
a two-minute presentation. The key to influence is not
volume, but precision. Elected officials are not experts,
but don't want to be overwhelmed with your knowledge.
Have them trust you as someone to turn to for more details
if they are needed. Sharpen your point and it will make
an impact.
- Engage the media (or schmooze the newsies!!) who have
the power to send your message far and wide. An expert
source and passionate volunteer are golden to every reporter
and editorial/opinion writer -- but, be careful: they should
not perceive you as seeking "publicity." Once
you're viewed as an accessible expert when they're
on deadline, you can pitch them ideas anytime. The media
is an advocate's most cost-effective megaphone.
- Write Letters to the Editor. Submit guest op-ed columns,
and encourage allies to do the same. The opinion pages
are read word-for-word by every public official. It's
where powerful people test the pulse of the thinking community.
You have their attention if your case is made in print.
Never attack, always attract. Be positive and persuasive,
giving your readers a reason to care and act on your behalf.
- Advocacy requires the art of compromise….never
expect it all. While we strive for unanimity, we work for
majority. There's a difference between compromising
principles (a no-no) and a healthy policy discussion. Long-term
relationships require understanding where everyone in coming
from before you know where you’re going. Burned bridges
are impossible to cross, and antagonistic scars may never
heal.
- While there's strength in diversity, there's
power in unity. Bring as many diverse voices to your cause
as possible, but reach a unifying message. Agree on the
important unifying goals and success will be achieved.
"Never doubt that a small group of committed
citizens can change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing
that ever has." - Anthropologist Margaret Mead
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