Tips for Local Congressional Engagement & Grassroots Advocacy Be sure to type in your name and organization. Scroll to the left to drag your region’s logo onto this page. Ted Stiger Director of Government Relations & Policy

Presentation Overview Why should you and your organization be involved in local and grassroots advocacy Understanding the different roles of state/district congressional staff & building creditability Tips and strategies for effective local congressional engagement

Why do local engagement and grassroots activities locally? The work we do depends on it Rural communities depend on it One of largest capital investments in a small town is the water system These are public dollars and community investments Raises your organization’s and RCAP National Network visibility

Tips for Local Congressional Engagement

KEY POINT: Target Audiences To be truly effective as a Grassroots Advocate, you need to know both the staff in DC and staff in the district/state. Member of Congress State or District Staff Project Directors Case Workers

How Can Your Lawmakers & Staff Help You? Introduce or Cosponsor Legislation Sponsor / Sign Dear Colleague Letter on Issue Vote on a Bill or Amendment in Committee or on Floor Send Letters to Federal Agencies on Specific Issues Support Letter for Federal Grant Applications Talk with Committee Chairman or Congressional Leadership about Local Issues

Key Activities to Building Relationships Cultivate Newly Elected Members (Before the election, during transition & immediately after election) Identify Local Connections to Lawmakers & Staff Schedule Visits and Tours of Projects near or after Completion Assist in Development of New Ideas & Initiatives (Match issues to committee assignments) Invite to meetings, board events and announcements

Establishing Credibility 1. Tours of Successful Projects 2. Provide timely, concise & useful information Always provide 1-page summary with specific request Follow-up with additional reports and information

Establishing Credibility 3. Ask “independent” constituents and communities to tell your story 4. Give Thanks and Praise Awards and Recognition Thank You Note after Each Meeting / Action

Tips for Local Congressional Engagement Writing, e-mailing, calling and visiting legislators in DC are all essential steps in building relationships and delivering messages…BUT The most effective method for educating members of Congress and staff is to have them visit your organization and project sites

Tips for Local Congressional Engagement Invite members and their DC staff to visit your office or take a tour of a current project Recognize lawmakers for key accomplishments Involve key contacts, such as local community officials and business leaders, in the meetings or site visits

Tips for Local Congressional Engagement Best time to invite members and staff is during congressional recesses More relaxed and away from DC When a member is first elected

Tips for Local Congressional Engagement Remember that people in the communities we serve are our best advocates Make sure to communicate the event with local media Follow-up to the visit or meeting is just as important as the actual event

Tips for Local Congressional Engagement The Art of Saying Thank You Most common mistake of lobbyists and grassroots advocates is forgetting to say thanks! Reasons to thank your lawmakers, include: Vote taken on floor or in committee Sponsor or cosponsor important legislation Taking the time for a personal meeting Signed “Dear Colleague” letter on a specific issue Election/ reelection to Congress or leadership position Support on local project or issues

Keys to Success: You must make the effort; No one else cares as much about your organization as you! As Yogi Berra said, "You have to give 100 percent in the first half of the game. If that isn't enough, in the 2nd half, you have to give what is left." Become a trusted partner who delivers on promises and delivers high-quality services and products to rural communities Play politics, but never partisan politics!

Keys to Success However, You Must Tell Your Story… Regular Visits and Face-to-Face Meetings Profession Web Site… Making A First Impression! Program Impact Reports and Power Points Annual Report with Humanized Stories & Impact Professionally-Designed Newsletters and Reports Informed Board Members and Partners to Reinforce Your Message and Credibility

Keys to Success: Strengths Networks of people and communities, as well as Private Sector, Nonprofit and Federal and State Partners Knowledge of federal and state programs and regulations – problem solvers Intermediary between local communities, states, federal government, and practitioners – You are part of the intergovernmental process!

Questions?

Assistance Partnership Western RCAP Rural Community Assistance Corporation (916) 447-2854 www.rcac.org Midwest RCAP Midwest Assistance Program (952) 758-4334 www.map-inc.org Southern RCAP Communities Unlimited (479) 443-2700 www.communitiesu.org Northeast RCAP RCAP Solutions (800) 488-1969 www.rcapsolutions.org Great Lakes RCAP WSOS Community Action Commission (800) 775-9767 www.glrcap.org Southeast RCAP Southeast Rural Community Assistance Project (866) 928-3731 www.southeastrcap.org Rural Community Assistance Partnership Practical solutions for improving rural communities First, a word about RCAP. Non-profit providing training and TA to rural communities & tribes on DW & WW issues Work in all 50 states, plus PR & USVI – 6 regional offices & one national Funded by federal grants (USDA, HHS, EPA) and state grants Staff have expertise in DW & WW treatment, utility financing, management & general administration RCAP National Office 1701 K St. NW, Suite 700 Washington, DC 20006 (800) 321-7227 www.rcap.org | info@rcap.org