A Voice For Volunteers: The Legislative Process and YOU! © 2012 Ledge Counsel, Inc.

What’s At Stake? © 2012 Ledge Counsel, Inc.

Training Objectives NSCA goals and national issues Your role as a Voice for Senior Volunteers Behind the scenes look at how the legislative process works The importance of legislative staff How you can develop effective relationships with elected officials FUN! Advocacy can be FUN! © 2012 Ledge Counsel, Inc.

Bill of Rights - Amendment I Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances © 2012 Ledge Counsel, Inc.

What Is Advocacy? To speak up, to plead the case of another, or to champion a cause © 2012 Ledge Counsel, Inc.

FACE TIME © 2012 Ledge Counsel, Inc.

What Is GrassTops Advocacy? An attempt to encourage experts connected in a field to communicate with a member or staff person of a legislative body © 2012 Ledge Counsel, Inc.

What Is An Advocacy Network? An on-going, organized system of recruiting, training and motivating individuals to utilize their political power to influence legislation © 2012 Ledge Counsel, Inc.

Advocacy Network © 2012 Ledge Counsel, Inc.

2 Types of Advocates in Advocacy Networks Personal: “broad based” grassroots network places the emphasis on getting as many participants as possible Professional: “grasstops” programs, place greater emphasis on the “quality” of the relationship between participants and the legislator © 2012 Ledge Counsel, Inc.

The Congressional Budget Process © 2012 Ledge Counsel, Inc.

What was that??? © 2012 Ledge Counsel, Inc.

Budget Process: Simplified President Submits A Budget (1 st Monday in February) Congress Considers Budget Resolution Reconciliation Instructions to Committees/Allocations of Funding Reconciliation Enacted Appropriations Enacted © 2012 Ledge Counsel, Inc.

How Our Laws Are Made Members of Congress Formed into Committees Introducing Bills Which are referred to Committee for hearings and “consideration” Reported from Committees Considered by the House and Senate “Conferenced” Passed AGAIN Signed into law (or vetoed) © 2012 Ledge Counsel, Inc.

Authorization versus appropriations Authorization – statutory authority establishing or continuing operation of a federal agency or program and “authorizing the appropriation” of funds to carry out the activity Appropriation – annual, discretionary funding for programs (i.e. Early Head Start, child care programs) © 2012 Ledge Counsel, Inc.

Key Committees Senate HELP/House Education & the Workforce Kennedy Serve America Act Older Americans Act K-12 Education Community Services Block Grant © 2012 Ledge Counsel, Inc.

Key Committees Budget Appropriations EVERYTHING! © 2012 Ledge Counsel, Inc.

Roles of Committee Staff Staff Director General Counsel Professional Staff Members Administrative Staff “Clerks” © 2012 Ledge Counsel, Inc.

Committee Staff Influence Investigate a matter of public policy thoroughly Establish a record justifying legislative action Craft legislative remedies to public issues Provide logistical support for the legislative effort © 2012 Ledge Counsel, Inc.

Roles of Personal Office Staff Administrative assistant (AA) (usually called the “Chief of Staff” now) Legislative director (LD) Legislative assistant (LA) who handles… Scheduler Legislative correspondent (LC) Staff assistant © 2012 Ledge Counsel, Inc.

Congressional Staff Influence The top priority for Hill staffers is finding information localized by state and district that helps them do their jobs as well as helps their bosses succeed © 2012 Ledge Counsel, Inc.

Why Me? Constituents Matter Practical Experience and Expertise A link to the State/District Why Washington Matters Friends and Family: Trusted Voice © 2012 Ledge Counsel, Inc.

How Do I Connect? KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE! © 2012 Ledge Counsel, Inc.

Forms of Advocacy Telephone calls Letters Visits by elected officials Visits to elected officials Opinion-editorials (op-ed) Electronic mail © 2012 Ledge Counsel, Inc.

Legislators Top Three Influences 1. Face-to-face meetings 2. Written letters/ s 3. Telephone calls © 2012 Ledge Counsel, Inc.

Writing Letters Be sure to include return address on letter Be accurate – facts and stats State your reason up front Ask member to explain position Consider timing – is the bill in committee? Thank your elected officials © 2012 Ledge Counsel, Inc.

Why Write Elected Officials? Congress received four times more communications in 2004 than 1995—all of the increase from Internet-based communications (200 million pieces) © 2012 Ledge Counsel, Inc.

Why Call Elected Officials? Congress now receives more than 6 million calls a year © 2012 Ledge Counsel, Inc.

Telephone Calls. Direct call to a specific person (LA) Decide to call DC, or district office Keep your message short – talking points Ask for a follow-up, Member’s stance Identify the issue, give the bill number State your support or concern for issue In time, get direct lines from staff person Thank staff person or member © 2012 Ledge Counsel, Inc.

Why Visit Elected Officials? Gives elected officials an opportunity to know you personally Educate him or her about the role of organized senior volunteers Put a human face on legislation or issue that may impact program © 2012 Ledge Counsel, Inc.

Site Visits by Elected Officials Scheduling – extend invite during a personal meeting or through a letter Visit logistics – educate parents, staff about elected officials, key issues and goals Conducting visits – stay on time Following your visits – write a thank-you note to elected officials Be political, not partisan © 2012 Ledge Counsel, Inc.

Other Projects Attend “town hall” meetings Host a tour or special events Reach out to local mass media, business & community Organize a state capitol hill day Organize an advocacy advisory group © 2012 Ledge Counsel, Inc.

Delivering Your Message Select the best communication tool Craft your message Identify yourself Be specific Prioritize your requests © 2012 Ledge Counsel, Inc.

Delivering Your Message (cont.) Offer to be a resource Tell the truth Do not vilify your opponents Do not discuss the campaign Be polite, be patient, and follow up © 2012 Ledge Counsel, Inc.

From the Congressional Management Foundation 1. Quality is more persuasive than quantity 2. The organization behind a grassroots campaign matters 3. Grassroots organizations should develop a better understanding of Congress 4. There is a difference between being noticed and having an impact © 2012 Ledge Counsel, Inc.

What do we need? Your commitment Your support A little of your time Feedback and Followup © 2012 Ledge Counsel, Inc.

Final thoughts America is not governed by the majority. It is governed by the majority who choose to register, vote and participate in the political process © 2012 Ledge Counsel, Inc.