Advocacy 101

Advocacy 101 1. Who can lobby? 2. Fear and intimidation – get over it! 3. Who are my legislators? 4. What are the best ways to communicate? Advocacy 101

5. How do I gain the ear of my legislators? Advocacy 101 5. How do I gain the ear of my legislators? 6. How do I get information about my legislators and the issues? 7. I want to talk directly with my Representative! 8. What if we disagree? Advocacy 101

Who is qualified to be a lobbyist? Do you need a degree? Do you need to pass an exam? Advocacy 101

Hire a professional lobbyist 2) Grassroots lobbying Nobody cares about your issue as much as you do and nobody can win your issue for you. If you don’t make it happen, it won’t. Advocacy 101

Advocacy 101

"It does not require a majority to prevail, but rather an irate, tireless minority keen to set brushfires in people's minds." -- Samuel Adams Advocacy 101

Them Congress: 535 Paid lobbyists: 12,572 Advocacy 101

Us 236 million Independent Pharmacies 24,000 Chain Pharmacies 35,000 59,000 236 million Patients per pharmacy per year total: Advocacy 101

Who IS my Representative? Advocacy 101

Resources: www.vote-smart.org www.house.gov www.senate.gov www.visi.com/juan/congress www.cpha.com www.legislature.ca.gov www.thomas.loc.gov Capitol Switchboard: 202-224-3121 Advocacy 101

Grassroots Call to Action Methods of Communication Advocacy 101

Effective Communications Countdown #5 (Snail-Mail) Letters Should I send a letter? Advocacy 101

Effective Communications Countdown #4 Faxes Will my Senators and Representative pay any attention to my fax? Advocacy 101

Effective Communications Countdown #3 Email Will they pay attention to my email? Advocacy 101

Effective Communications Countdown #2 Phone Calls Will they take my phone call? Advocacy 101

Effective Communications Countdown #1 Relationships How do I build a relationship with my legislator? Advocacy 101

Building your relationship Campaigning Contributing Town Hall Meetings District Visits Advocacy 101

Building your relationship Contributing to: PAC = Political Action Committee LDF = Legal Defense Fund Advocacy 101

Building your relationship Contributing Pharmacists: over $2,000,000 Accountants: over $10,000,000 Advocacy 101

Legislative Branch of the U.S. Government House of Representatives 435 Senate 100 Advocacy 101

Legislative Branch of the U.S. Government Committees Concerned with Pharmacy: House Ways & Means House Energy & Commerce Senate Finance Senate Judiciary Senate HELP Advocacy 101

How do you conduct a meaningful meeting? How do I get an appointment? Organizing for your meeting - Do your homework Advocacy 101

Conducting meaningful meetings Presenting facts and something you need to keep in mind Advocacy 101

Conducting meaningful meetings “Facts don’t vote; lawmakers vote their own calculus. Seldom are favorable material facts alone sufficient to get votes; political facts may be.” – Robert L. Guyer, Esq. Advocacy 101

Conducting meaningful meetings Tell a story Speak in their terms Be informal Advocacy 101

Conducting meaningful meetings Political issues? Visit the District office Pharmacy tour Advocacy 101

Conducting meaningful meetings Why do I have to speak to a staffer? I want to talk to my Representative! Advocacy 101

The Face-to-Face Remember… you are the expert Dress code? Advocacy 101

The Face-to-Face Dos and Don’ts - Do be respectful - Don’t claim power - Don’t assume they understand Advocacy 101

The Face-to-Face More Dos and Don’ts - Speak in language they understand - Don’t beat around the bush - Show appreciation Advocacy 101

What to do If you Disagree? and Subtle-dodges Advocacy 101

When the meeting is Over. State your case Importance Leave behind Thank you Advocacy 101

Keep the doors open Advocacy 101