Citizen Lobbying PDA National Field Team

What is Lobbying Over 30,000 paid lobbyists in DC Paid lobbying vs. Citizen lobbying Legislators need educating – they don’t know everything Lobbying works! It is our responsibility to let our elected officials understand our agenda

Why We Lobby It’s our responsibility as citizens Powerful corporations understand this, sending scores of lobbyists to Washington each year to influence Congress and help draft legislation. Now it’s our turn! Our voices must be heard in the halls of Congress!

Effective Lobbying Lobbying is an ongoing campaign with a series of planned actions coordinated to have a desired effect Carefully planned Carefully researched Carefully executed

Lobby in small, organized groups Show numbers in the field, not in the office Visit Congressional offices with groups of three to five Have one expert in the field or on the bill Try to include at least one constituent of the Congressional representative

Preparation and Planning Make allies and build coalitions Shows the legislator that you are not the only one with this belief Are there national organizations so a few people can represent multiple states Know your target – What can you expect? Anticipate your opposition

Prepare handouts for your meeting Show how your recommendations can bring in votes and appeal to voters’ concerns Give staffers actual talking points that can be used to persuade other Congress members

Be Prepared and Well Organized Research your topic thoroughly. Know PDA’s stand on the issue: Current legislation that your Congressional representative has submitted on the topic Relevant legislation/ amendments that other Congressional representatives have submitted:

Prepare 2 Sets of Handouts A “skeleton outline” with your talking points, for the staffer to follow during your presentation The same outline, with fleshed ‐ out talking points, and a list of resources at the end (links to pertinent articles, studies, etc.) ‐ Give this to the staffer at the end of your meeting.

Draft a Citizen Lobbying Campaign Goal – What do you want to achieve Target – Who can give you what you want? Tactics – How can you influence this person? Research – Are there upcoming deadlines? Any personal stance or past legislation

Setting Up a Meeting Make an official request in writing and follow- up with a phone call Ask to meet with the Representative or the appropriate Staffer Where to Meet Capital Office District Office Demonstrate broad base of support Petitions, Letters, etc. Quick Links

Who Should Attend 3-5 people is ideal Present a diverse constituency Be respectful Be early Look presentable Practice – role play

Lobbying Team Roles Facilitator – runs meeting Storytellers (1-2) should be constituents Asker – makes the direct ask Educator – presents facts and info Secretary – collect cards, write it all down and plan follow-up

Meeting Agenda Introductions (5 minutes) Names and addresses Review the agenda (5 minutes) Why we are here (10 minutes) Present petitions Present facts/history Story time (10 minutes) The Ask (5 minutes) Ask/Answer questions (5 minutes) Wrap Up/Thank You (5 minutes)

During the Meeting Engage the staffer Pause after each main point Ask the staffer if they have any questions Clarify or restate any complex/ controversial points

Making an Effective Ask Straight to the Point Ask the question Be silent and wait for the answer Follow-up questions – If Yes Who else can you bring on board? What is the opposition? Follow-up questions – If No What will it take for you to support for this? What is holding you back?

Following-up Thank the legislator Send a written note to their office Build support and research before the next meeting Stay in touch – keep the relationship alive Try to find common ground

Thank You Letter Send a thank you letter to the staffer (hard copy) ASAP Briefly summarize your key talking points Review how your recommendations can help garner support from voters and other members of Congress

Turning up the Pressure Direct Pressure Letters, petitions, calls, Meetings, in Capital lobby days Indirect Pressure Letters to the editor, op-eds, paid media, press conferences, visibility, protests, picketing, literature drops, coalition building

DC Mass Lobby Have building and office number of all Congress members you plan to visit For Droid and iPhone users download the free app “Congress” Office location, phone, District map Legislation sponsored

Street Call Your Congress Person Best with Droid or iPhone with unlimited minutes Have short script that people can read Have person call Rep and/or Senator directly from your phone