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Improving Your Advocacy Gerard Lavery Lederer Partner Best Best & Krieger July 12, 2017 9:00

You’re Not Alone and You Can Win

Understanding Decision Making at All Levels of Government Power Comes From Three Sources: Money Information Ability to Reach an Audience Every Policy Decision is a Risk/Reward Calculation

CALENDAR Congress is scheduled to be home from July 31 to September 5 October 9 - 23 November 17 - 28 December 15 – January

Who to Contact Members of Congress were elected to represent you, so by all means, let them know what you think. Contacting House and Senate leaders during the build-up to an important vote can be extremely effective. Even more effective if you reach out to them before hand and establish a relationship. sponse, particularly if your e-mail, phone call or letter is one of hundreds on the same topic, but be certain your message will be heard, loud and clear.

How to Contact Your Legislator Technology has provided us with a range of opportunities to make our voices heard. Tweets Instagram Facebok E-mail, Faxes Telephone calls Personal Visits Interview on Channel – in house and remote

What to Say/How to Say it Be specific -- Give the name and bill number of the legislation you are concerned about Be Brief -- Identify your subject clearly and make the ask. Please cosponsor; Please oppose Be Local – “As a constituent” Don't ask for the impossible or engage in threats. And Always be Honest!!!! “I am not sure of the answer to that question, please allow me to get back to you.”

Listen as Much as you Talk Ask the legislator his or her position Close the Sale Can we rely on your leadership to …

Schedule the Meeting. E-Mail or Fax your Members of Congress to request meeting. Don’t just walk in. It used to work, but not today. Call your Members of Congress at their offices in Washington, DC or at their district offices. ALL Senators or Representatives by dialing 1-202-224-3121 (U.S. Capitol Switchboard) and asking for the Member by name.

FOLLOW UP WITH A LETTER/EMAIL Writing an actual letter or formal email have merit. They show officials that you are interested enough to set the time aside to write and mail in a letter or formal email. Use letterhead (if appropriate to show you are from district) Start – “As a constituent …” or some variable thereof gthen make your point or your ask. Cosponsor H.R? Oppose H.R. ? Body -- Make your point or political cause known clearly and directly without attacking people, but instead attacking tactics. Close – Offer yourself as a resource.

Other Ways to Make Your Voice Heard Letters-to-the-Editor An Opinion Piece – Can you find a PEG champion? Talk With Reporter Or Editor Radio Call-In Shows PEG Show or Interview Encourage Community Messaging Reach Out to Other Organizations      

Lobbying as 501 (c)(3) 501(c)(3) organizations may engage in advocacy but are subject to heightened restrictions on advocacy and partisan activities. Advocacy cannot constitute a “substantial part” of the activities of an organization. Entity may choose to make the “lobbying election” under Section 501(h) which is an formulaic “expenditure test.” See next page for scale You cannot engage in partisan activities. Not Advocacy/Lobbying: Technical assistance or advice to unsolicited request; “Self-defense activities”—i.e., communications concerning decisions that may affect an organization’s existence, powers, duties, 501(c)(3) status, or deductibility of contributions; and Nonpartisan analysis, study.

If the amount of exempt purpose expenditures is: Lobbying nontaxable amount is: ≤ $500,000 20% of the exempt purpose expenditures >$500,00 but ≤ $1,000,000 $100,000 plus 15% of the excess of exempt purpose expenditures over $500,000  > $1,000,000 but ≤ $1,500,000  $175,000 plus 10% of the excess of exempt purpose expenditures over $1,000,000 >$1,500,000 $225,000 plus 5% of the exempt purpose expenditures over $1,500,000 Source: IRS Website

Contact Information Gerard Lavery Lederer Gerard.Lederer@bbklaw.com Best Best & Krieger 2000 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. Suite 5300 Washington, DC 20006 Phone: (202) 785-0600 Fax: (202) 785-1234 Cell: (202) 664-4621 Website: www.bbklaw.com 16