Advocacy 101

Biographical Sketches Georgiana Reynal serves as Chief Advocacy Officer for St. Vincent. In this role, Georgiana oversees legislative and advocacy efforts and works collaboratively with other executives to improve health status in the communities St. Vincent serves. Caroline Battles serves as Vice President, State Policy and Advocacy at Ascension. Caroline leads the alignment of Ascension’s strategy for advocacy and government affairs and coordinates with leaders across the organization on Ascension’s public policy agenda and efforts to impact public policy.

Disclosure These speakers have no conflict of interest to disclose.

Mission of Ascension Rooted in the loving ministry of Jesus as healer, we commit ourselves to serving all persons with special attention to those who are poor and vulnerable. Our Catholic health ministry is dedicated to spiritually- centered, holistic care which sustains and improves the health of individuals and communities. We are advocates for a compassionate and just society through our actions and our words.

What is Advocacy? Communicating effectively with policymakers to persuade her or him to take an action that he or she might not have taken without influence

Public Policy Continuum Problem Definition/Solution Development Implementation Advancing Solutions/Advocacy To clearly articulate problem(s) and solution(s) Coalition building Polling Issue framing and messaging Convening Engaging stakeholders Testing alternative approaches To build political will to take action Coalition building Polling Message refinement Public education Education for opinion leaders and policymakers Media advocacy Litigation Direct lobbying of legislators Grassroots lobbying To foster effective implementation Public education Monitoring Evaluation

Legislative Advocacy Legislative advocacy refers to efforts to influence the introduction, enactment, or modification of legislation The most common means of legislative advocacy is direct lobbying, which entails contacting a legislator, sharing your views on an issue, and asking him or her to vote a specific way on a bill This can be done with something as easy as a phone call or letter, or by a formal meeting with the legislator or staff person

Government is an Active Process – What? What issue am I trying to address?  Add examples..

Government is an Active Process – Where? Identifying an Issue Is it federal, state or local?  What is the solution?  A change in policy?  A change in funding?

Government is an Active Process – Who? Finding your legislators – state and federal  Indiana General iga.in.gov:  (will walk through process here to find your legislators, watch key hearings, and track key votes).

Government is an Active Process “The Good have no need of an Advocate” – Phocion (No one ever heard of him because he is wrong) The two essential elements: Mechanical Human

Mechanical – The Legislative Process Two distinct processes happening simultaneously in the Capitol: Policy: The process by which the State Legislature debates and enacts laws that govern and guide state policy from agriculture to zoology Appropriations: The process by which the legislature (or Congress) funds the operations of state government

Mechanical – Legislative Calendar Indiana General Assembly: Regular session: Early January through end of March (even years) or end of April (odd years) The governor can call a special session if legislators are unable to complete their work within the regular session Basic process of lawmaking Forming the agenda: Summer & Fall Implementing the agenda: Winter and Spring

How a Bill Becomes a Law First steps Assignment to committee Time in committee The Vote Next steps Placing the bill on the calendar Taking the bill up for debate Sending the Bill to the other Chamber Last steps Conference committee Governor’s desk

Human Side – Personality The role of elections Money Votes Term Limits Interplay between state and local Relationship building at the local level

How to Talk to Legislators Create common bonds Common community Common interest Common people Friends Board members Community sponsors

How to Talk to Legislators Define yourself Expert on the issue Community partner Define your priority/solution Specific Achievable Establish connection with larger agenda

How to Talk to Legislators Issues affecting your message being heard Hundreds of different issues and pieces of legislation Competition for attention Interest in topic Political will Political timing

How to Talk to Legislators…And Make Them Listen Expect the unexpected Elevator meetings Stalling…not a tactic to slow the process Pulling them off the floor “The Senator is on the floor. Is there something I can help you with?”

How to Talk to Legislators…And Make Them Listen No more than: Minutes Points Pages 3

Closing the Meeting Making the Ask Understanding the political process Recognize the legislator’s position and stature Strategy for success Opportunity for continued dialogue and a richer relationship

Closing the Meeting What is an Ask? Show me the money, PLEASE. Vote for my bill, PLEASE. Come to my event, PLEASE. Help me convene a group…PLEASE. Introduce me to the director of the department of issues I care about, PLEASE.

Closing the Meeting Show me the money Support for a specific program or initiative Members of Committees Vote for my bill Asking for support on a bill – Know your facts: Bill number Where the bill is in the process What the bill does Why the bill is important

Closing the Meeting Come to my event Attendance at special events Developing relationship with the legislator Help me convene a group to… Legislator contacts Engaging the legislator Introduce me to dept. directors Greater entry

Follow – Up/Through Meeting is Just the Starting Point Longer Process of Relationship Building Follow –Up is Critical

Follow-Up/Follow-Through Meeting is Just the Starting Point Longer Process of Relationship Building Follow–Up is Critical Thank the individual as you leave. There is no substitute for a personal letter. Follow through on your ask – Take the initiative with the legislator or staff person.

Bibliography Public Policy Continuum (slide 6) Adapted from Holton, Ruth, The California Wellness Foundation, remarks at Grantmakers In Health Issue Dialogue, Funding Health Advocacy, November 3, 2004.