How to Affect Public Policy - The Basics of Advocacy

How to Affect Public Policy - The Basics of Advocacy

Advocacy is conducting activities aimed at influencing public officials and especially members of a legislative body on legislation and other policy decisions.

Advocacy can be a mystifying and sometimes scary thing to those that are not familiar with the process. This is a simple guide outlining the different methods ofadvocating, and how an average citizen can become involved.

There are three ways to lobby:

1) By phone

2) By mailbox

3) In Person

When you advocate, or try to influence legislators, there are eight things you can ask your legislator to do:

1) Sponsor a bill/budget amendment

2) Co-sponsor a bill/budget amendment

3) Vote for a bill/budget amendment

4) Write to leadership on behalf of a bill/budget item

5) Talk to leadership on behalf of a bill/budget item

6) Talk to colleagues on behalf of a bill/budget item

7) Testify in favor of a bill

8) Speak on the chamber floor in favor of a bill/budget item

If you are advocating by phone:

You should have a script ready beforehand. Find out who you State Representative or Senator is, and what the number to his/her office is. If you don't know or are unsure call Sid Gelb at 617-277-3322. If you know your legislators, but not their telephone numbers, call the State House at 617-722-2000. On the internet you can find all of your representatives at the URL: http://development.ntp.com/cvr/

You may also call your Representative/Senator to schedule an appointment to meet with him/her in person. In either case, whether you are calling to lobby or schedule an appointment, you will be speaking with the Representative's/Senator's office staff or aide(s).

If you are advocating via a letter:

Be clear on what issue you are speaking on and what specifically you want the Representative/Senator to do. Stick to one topic and remain respectful throughout the letter. Ask for follow up from them, whether it's a phone call, another letter on an appointment to meet. Personal letters are usually more effective than signing your name onto a post card.

If you are advocating in person:

Schedule an appointment to meet with your Representative/Senator, or in some cases, his/her aide(s). Be sure to have clear information on the issue you are going to be speaking about. Although not necessary, it is helpful to call or send a letter beforehand, and reference that inyour visit.

When You Meet with Your Legislator

1) Be on time! Representatives and Senators are often busy in session, caucuses and committee meetings. Being late will minimize the amount of time you have to speak to your legislator.

2) If your Senator or Representative can not meet with you, ask to meet with his/her aide(s). Aides do much of the background work for Representatives and Senators, and have the responsibility to brief their boss on your meeting.

3) Introduce yourself. Say where you are from; that you are a constituent and a voter; mention your affiliation with the issue, how it affects you directly, affects your community and the state,--anything that will help the Senator/Representative understand your interest, expertise and stake in the matter.

4) Be brief. You may end up with lots of time to talk, but chances are you may have less. Be sure to cover your priority concerns at the beginning. If you are meeting as part of a group, be conscious that everyone will want to talk-don't monopolize the meeting. Be able to get your main points across in a concise manner. Use the talking points or fact sheets for guidance, as well as any other relevant information you know of.

5) Be clear. Explain what you want your Representative/Senator to do, and why. "I want you to talk with Speaker Finneran in support of legislation protecting the privacy of genetic information" or "I'd like to request that the Citizenship Assistance Program be fully funded in this year's budget" Be specific and direct. Be sure to listen for the Representative's or Senator's answer.

6) Use specific examples, when possible, but keep them clear and concise. Case examples are good ways to make policy issues real ("for me the JCC is more than a health club, it's a gateway into the Jewish community and a connection to other people in the community," or "I know many seniors who will have to go into a nursing home if they can't arrange for a home health or home care worker to come to their home") Long and very detailed descriptions, however, can confuse or bore the listener, or move you away from your main point.

7) Be honest. If you don't know the answer to a question, say you don't know and offer to get back to the Representative/Senator with the information as soon as you are able. Then remember this follow-up task. Don't share information you are not clear about. If you do

know the answer to a question, don't hesitate to answer as clear, concise and confidently as you are able.

8) If the Representative or Senator disagrees with you, remain calm. Try to find out why s/he disagrees. Don't attack the disagreement, but rather ask questions to find the root of the disagreement to understand it. Keep the lines or communication open. Don't let emotions or negative statements close off communication. Your Senator or Representative may not be supportive today, but things may change tomorrow.

9) Follow up. Ask if you can get back to them in a week or so. If they can not commit their support now, check back in a week or see if they've made up their mind. If you meet with an aide, check back to see what the Senator/Representative thinks about the bill and what s/he will do. If they've promised to do something, check back to see if they've done it.

10) Share the results of your meeting with us. It is very important for us to know exactly who supports our issues, who does not (at this time), and who is undecided. Your feedback is crucial to our ability to do head counts, select champions for our issues and continue theadvocating process. Please take a moment tofill out the feedbackform (one per legislator you met with).

1 1) Remember: If the Senator/Representative say something you don't understand, ask for clarity. You may use this time to ask the Senator/Representative questions. Thank your legislator for his/her time. Send a thank you note.