Stephanie Smith Lee (c) Copyright 2015 Stephanie Smith Lee Strategies for Successful Public Policy Advocacy   43rd Annual National Down Syndrome Congress Convention June 25-28, 2015 Phoenix, Arizona Stephanie Smith Lee (c) Copyright 2015 Stephanie Smith Lee

Getting Started Work with a non-profit, non-partisan group Agree on leadership Take a “big tent” approach Individuals with Ds of all abilities and their families (All means all) Professionals, friends, members of various organizations Parents of both children and adults Families of diverse racial, ethnic, cultural and socio-economic backgrounds Those who can play a major role and those who have limited availability Challenges to building and run

Form or Join Coalitions Benefits of Coalitions: Policy makers require broad, diverse organizational support for particular policy initiatives Policy makers want to see support in large numbers Challenges of coalitions: Groups differ on goals and priorities, battles over control, credit & who speaks for coalition May be on a single topic (research, education, postsecondary education, ABLE Act, etc.) or broader May be local, state or national

Successful Coalitions Convene stakeholders Define membership Select leadership Set up method(s) of communication Identify mission and/or goals, areas of agreement and priorities for action Agree on process for approving policy positions and statements Determine who will represent the coalition under what circumstances Act with transparency: Develop a Strategic Plan

What is an “Ask”? The “Ask” is what you want to ask a policy maker to do and must be clear, specific and timely Introduce or vote a certain way on a bill, policy, or amendment Support a policy by contacting other policy makers, making a public statement, requesting appropriations, etc. Include your recommendations in a regulation Fund specific research or a program

Developing an “Ask” Carefully research the issue and learn the policy process Identify and have a clear understanding of major issues and political landscape Identify constraints (costs, complexity of issues, apathy, difficulty of mobilizing advocates). Identify who is opposed to your goals. Use factually accurate info from reliable sources Clearly identify specific needed action Frame the debate in positive terms Identify key policy makers and “champions”

From “Ask” to Alert Prepare clear, concise action alerts, post on website and distribute Inspire advocates to act by saying why the issue and “Ask” is important to them Make it as easy as possible for advocates to act on alert Share what to do, how to do it and by when, sample wording, encourage personalizing Way to find out if advocates take action

From Alert to Action Keep advocates informed The “Ask” will change as the policy progresses through the process so update action alerts and share Identify key policy makers and “champions” Build relationships with policymakers Engage the media and use social media

Building Relationships with Policy Makers on an Ongoing Basis Divide and conquer – divide up who will be key contact for each policy maker Get to know individual policymakers in both parties Invite them to “walks” or other fundraisers, picnics, events – ask them to speak, say a few words, or at least recognize their attendance Take their photo with your group and share the photos with them, include in your newsletters and social media, and share with the media Speak with them at community events Get to know staff as well Become a resource and recognized expert

Taking Action: Making Contact Involve and mobilize self-advocates, parents, family members, professionals Contact policy makers (visits, letters, calls, testimony, social media) Tie personal stories to the policy objective Testify at hearings, request additional hearings, speak at committee meetings, town hall meetings

Meeting with Policy Makers Personal contact is key! Find out who schedules appointments and request in writing Include who will attend and topic If you can’t get an appointment, drop by Plan ahead Agenda, talking points, who will cover what, leave behind material

Meeting with Policy Makers Be aware of time Staff are important too Be polite, frame debate in positive terms, be clear about what you are asking, why Tie your personal stories to policy goal Offer to be a resource Take a photo and post/share Follow up: thanks, report back on advocacy

Traditional Media Coverage Newspapers, radio & TV still important Personal contacts with media – become a source and build relationships Use email, phone calls, personal contacts and social media to connect with traditional media Press releases, requests for media coverage of events, share after-event info Letters to the editor, op-ed pieces, online versions of newspapers, TV and radio coverage Share photos, testimony, letters to policymakers, and info about your policy efforts with media

Social Media Advocacy Create a media strategy using traditional and social media as part of a larger strategic plan How is your target audience most likely to engage? Email, Facebook, Twitter, blogs? Use a website for alerts, etc. and linking to Facebook and twitter posts Top 3 advocacy tools with most users: Facebook (including Fan Page), Twitter, You Tube Others: Blog, Pinterest, Instagram, LinkedIn

Using Social Media for Advocacy Encourage advocates to: Identify and post messages on policy makers Facebook pages Follow elected officials and their staffers on Social Media and “Like” their Facebook pages. Follow media on Twitter and post to news outlet’s Facebook pages. Directly communicate with policy makers and media on Twitter by tagging them with @ before the username

Twitter Tips Tweets are the “new” press releases Use Twitter hashtags like #downsyndrome to flag your tweet for people looking for your subject and to find and follow important topics Be consistent and do it everyday, but don't do it so much that you become an irritant. Sending the same message repeatedly to the same person is not effective. People will block you or report you as spam. It is better to tweet at more media than one many times. Avoid Rants.

Social Media Online Resources How to Use Social Media for Advocacy, AAUW: http://bit.ly/1OxZv6F Using Social Media for Digital Advocacy: http://bit.ly/1trciR3 Using Social Networking for Advocacy NAMI: http://bit.ly/1ASVvHJ The Whys and How of Twitter: http://bit.ly/1HRgd0C Tips for Effectively Using Social Media and Other Media in Advocacy Efforts by Jawanda Mast: http://www.thesassysoutherngal.com

Follow-up Sometimes success is incremental – keep at it! When a law is passed, that’s just the first step – next are regulations, policy guidance, implementation Say thank you with a press release, letters to the editor, letters to policymakers, social media, personal contacts—be creative!