You Can Be a Lobbyist* “ To reach the heart or get the vote, The surest way is down the throat “ Samuel Colt-Gun Lobbyist Lobbying is :Advocacy of a point of view by groups or individuals.’ Earning its moniker from the 1800’s era “lobby agents lurking in the hallways of NY State to England’s Parliament, it has now come to refer to one who represents a special interest," stakeholder.” In its purest form, lobbying is an expression of the tenets of the First Constitutional amendment; the people, peaceably assembling and petitioning their government for redress. These tips generously provided by Lori Kammerer, Lobbyist and sponsored speaker for the External Affairs committee’s PRIMA 2007 presentation should empower and enhance our capacity to advocate for our interests as Grassroots Lobbyists. *This submission contains material redacted and extracted with full permission from 2007 PRIMA Conference Presentation by Lori C Kammerer-Kammerer & Company “How to Effectively Lobby Your Legislator …”sponsored by the External Affairs Committee Edited by D.McHam-Pinto, Fulton County Gov. –Asst. Risk Mgr

Grassroots Lobbying  Consolidate a coalition of stakeholders  Identify the issue you support or oppose  Develop Fact Sheet on the Issue  Identify Legislator's) who shares your view or can be convinced to “Carry your water”  Build and Broaden your coalition-Diversify support  Consider use of expert consultants for drafting position statement  Find the open ears-those who will hear you first  Meet the Leadership in both Houses  Identify your Opposition-Explore areas of common ground  Weigh tolerance for compromise/amendment  Count your blessings and your votes  Publicity can be a good thing  Shepherd your issue, all the way through to enactment.

Lobbying 101-Etiquette  DO  Schedule appointment in advance  Familiarize yourself with state /local regulations on lobbying.  Address your lawmaker properly  Identify yourself and your organization immediately  Identify your bill number, author and status of the legislation  Be brief, concise,courteous,respectful and reasonable  Remember meeting with the Staff is just as important as meeting with the legislator  Be the resource on the issue (Establish your knowledge, background and interest  Remember your manners, Thank You goes a long way, expressed orally and in writing.  Copy your own legislator on your correspondence  Keep the door open for further discussion, i.e. areas of compromise  DON’T  Begin with the citizen and taxpayer spiel, most of us are and the representatives know this. Save your breath (and time) for what really counts!  Don’t apologize for taking their time  Don’t be arrogant or threatening to a legislator or staff member  Don’t force or demand that legislator take a position during your meeting. You can create the opportunity for a follow-up meeting.  Don’t send “form” letters  Don’t “burn bridges,” Live to fight another day!  Never, ever bribe or connect monetary/in-kind gifts of any kind in the building or in any State Office!