NNA Legislative Day 2010: “Choosing NeighborWorks®, WORKS.” Meeting with Congress: -Tips -Priorities and Talking Points

Why should you engage in political advocacy?  Advocacy makes a difference  It makes our democracy function  You have expertise policy makers want to tap  501c3s are able to “lobby”

Influencing the Political Process Educate and Motivate

Educate Your Member  Know your facts  Understand the issue  Express the consequences of the problem  Know the Member, their background, and their concerns (  Know how this issue impacts the Member’s community

Educate: an example NeighborWorks ® Appropriations: NWA FY ’11 appropriation is $137 million in the President’s Budget This money supports 238 community groups with training, direct grants, and capacity building In your community, this money is used to… As you know, xx, is a big problem in our community and this funding will help us solve those problems

Motivate Your Member – Get Them Involved  Send s and make phone calls  Meet with Members regularly (NNA Day)  Put Member staff on newsletter  Mobilize your board, staff, and volunteers  Identify policy and legislative solutions  Get to know Congressional staff  Invite the member for a visit  Get some press attention

Tips on Meeting with Elected Officials  Make a connection  Keep it short, speak plainly, directly  Remember to listen as well as speak  Staff may be young, but they are the eyes and ears of Member  Provide recommended solutions (be clear)  Leave local information with staff  Follow up with staff  Stay positive  Educate and Motivate

 NWA Appropriation (FY ’11 Core + FY ’10 Rehab)  Increased Counseling Funding NNA Legislative Day Priorities (2)

General Talking Points – All Priorities  The Bad (explain the local impact): Capital continues to be scarce Foreclosures continue to rise Job market is suffering  The Good (explain the local impact): Last year’s rehab capital ready to hit streets NWOs can help create jobs NWOs: trusted and effective users of congressional dollars since 1978 NWOs are the expert practitioner

(1) Neighborhood Reinvestment (NWA) Appropriation  NNA supports the President’s FY 2011 budget request ($137mm)  NNA requests $35mm of FY 2010 “rehab capital” be put into normal NWA FY 2011 “core” funding  Total funding request for FY 2011: $137mm FY 2011 President request + $ 35mm FY 2010 “rehab capital” = $172mm total

(1) Continued…Moving FY ‘10 $35 Million Into FY ’11 Core NWA Appropriation  Give examples of how additional grant money (be specific!): will produce/save “x” number of jobs (include hours increase for local contractors) will create, preserve, build “x” number of units will be spent quickly and effectively will help leverage other federal money (e.g. NSP, CDFI, HOME, other) give concrete, specific, tangible examples

(2) Homeownership Counseling – Support Increased Funding  $100mm for HUD counseling (as proposed by the President and Senate last year)  $180mm for NFMC counseling (as first allocated in 2008)  Specifics: Demand for both pre-purchase and foreclosure counseling continues to rise (give examples). NFMC-counseled homeowners were 60% more likely to get out of foreclosure and to avoid a foreclosure completion than homeowners who had not received NFMC counseling. NFMC clients who received loan modifications reduced their monthly payments by $454 more than they would have without NFMC counseling. A strong federal commitment to counseling is needed now more than ever (prevent future crises). Homebuyer education is expensive: the costs of providing a comprehensive pre-purchase counseling range from $500 to $1,500 per client. Rural: counseling money can help leverage new 502 money included in stimulus package to serve growing need.

NNA Legislative Day Logistics Monday, March 22, :00 PM – All Day: Check-in, pick up packets (look for NNA table in Hyatt lobby) Tuesday, March 23, :30 – 9:30 AM: Breakfast briefing/pick up packets (Hyatt, Room: TBD) 10:30 AM – 4:30 PM: Capitol Hill visits (lunch on your own); use Metro 5:00 PM: Reception on Capitol Hill (Senate Hart Building, Room 902)

NNA Legislative Day Packets What’s Included in Your Packets? Included and waiting for you:  Senate “Dear Colleague” from Senator Leahy (ask your Senators to sign on)  NWA and NNA Facts Sheets and information  One-pagers and talking points for NNA’s priorities  Map of Capitol Hill  Reception invite (be sure to hand deliver to staff) You must bring:  Local information; e.g. brochures, newspaper articles, recent achievements, statistics and data about programs, anything to help tell your story (especially around NNA Day priorities)

NNA Legislative Day 2010 “Choosing NeighborWorks®, WORKS.”