Building Political Will / Advocacy Best Practices Phyllis Gilberti Director of Field Mobilization National Conference on Ending Family Homelessness February 7, 2008

How can we make federal policy change?  Is building political will within the domain of possibility?  A pattern of what works exists  “Two steps forward, 3 steps back.”  We’ve changed the minds of elected officials.

Role of National Organizations Lobbyist / National Expert Partner with local and state organizations to move policy forward – constituents v DC based lobbyists Develop policy priorities based on input from local partners Role of coordinator and convenor

Taking Advocacy to Scale in 2008 Your Success + Jane in Illinois’s Success + Pete in Arizona’s Success = Real Change

What Can You Do  Lobby and / or  Advocate and / or  Educate and / or  Provide information

How Does Policy Change Happen?  Getting this on the agenda of individual Members of Congress  Accountability “The only things that we will do (Congress) are the things that you make it impossible for us not to do.” - Congressional staff to RESULTS (A nonprofit, grassroots citizens' lobby that identifies sustainable solutions to the problems of hunger and poverty as a human rights issue)

How Does Policy Change Happen?  Activities to raise attention and get homelessness on the agenda  Writing Letters and Making Phone Calls to Elected Officials  Relationship Building with elected officials and their staff  In person meetings in Washington or in the district  Media  Public Education – Town Hall Meetings etc

How Does Policy Change Happen?  Just because you say it doesn’t mean that anyone is going to listen.  Just because an elected official says it doesn’t mean that it will happen.  Persistence and follow through are the golden keys.

“ The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.” – Benjamin Franklin

Anne’s Story Began with no relationship with conservative House Member He said ‘no’ to co-sponsoring homelessness legislation at least three times He ended up being a co-sponsor

Opportunities with this Congress  Creating Champions in Congress  A “Go To” Person  A Long Term Process  Winning One Battle v The Long Term Fight

Next Year’s Agenda and Goals  An Election Year  Short Term Asks  Long Term Strategy  Creating “Go To” People

Discussion Questions Think of an advocacy accomplishment. What was accomplished and How? Are there any barriers that have prevented you from participating in advocacy efforts? Talk about a failed advocacy effort. What happened? Why did it fail?