1. Grassroots Activist Training Hosted by: Chris Howard

2. Why are you here? Are You Lost? Why am I doing this? Why am I doing this? What do you hope to learn? What do you hope to learn? Why are you here? Why are you here?

3. Exercise!!!!! Exercise!!!!! Office of the Speaker of the House, Tim Jones Speaker’s Summary House Bill for Perfection HCS HB 1116, Sponsor Hicks BREED SPECIFIC DOG LEGISLATION Committee: General Laws Sponsor Note – Allows villages, towns, and cities to prohibit dogs from running at large or to further control or regulate dogs within their boundaries if the ordinances, orders, policies, or regulations are not breed specific. The bill will stop breed discrimination in Missouri and help dog owners who have been disadvantaged by breed specific legislation. This is a matter of personal property rights being infringed by local municipalities. Sponsor Note – Allows villages, towns, and cities to prohibit dogs from running at large or to further control or regulate dogs within their boundaries if the ordinances, orders, policies, or regulations are not breed specific. The bill will stop breed discrimination in Missouri and help dog owners who have been disadvantaged by breed specific legislation. This is a matter of personal property rights being infringed by local municipalities. Testifying For – Best Friends Animal Society; Professional Kansas City Animal Shelters; Missouri Veterinary Association; Kansas City Pet Project; and Missouri Federation of Animal Lovers. Testifying For – Best Friends Animal Society; Professional Kansas City Animal Shelters; Missouri Veterinary Association; Kansas City Pet Project; and Missouri Federation of Animal Lovers. Testifying Against – Testifying Against – Opponents Concerns – There was no opposition voiced to the committee. Opponents Concerns – There was no opposition voiced to the committee. Committee Results - Voted "Do Pass” by a vote of 15 to 1. Committee Results - Voted "Do Pass” by a vote of 15 to 1. Rules Committee Results – Voted "Do Pass” by a vote of 10-0 Rules Committee Results – Voted "Do Pass” by a vote of 10-0

4. Understanding the Basics We live in a Constitutional Republic not a Democracy We live in a Constitutional Republic not a Democracy Political Activism is your political birthright as a citizen. Advanced Citizenship Political Activism is your political birthright as a citizen. Advanced Citizenship

5. Philosophy of Political Activism Why be an Activist? Why be an Activist? What drives you? What drives you? How much time/talent/treasure can you give to the issue/activity? How much time/talent/treasure can you give to the issue/activity?

6. “Therefore, a wise prince should think of a method by which his citizens, at all times and in every circumstance, will need the assistance of the state and of himself; and then they will always be loyal to him.” Machiavelli “Therefore, a wise prince should think of a method by which his citizens, at all times and in every circumstance, will need the assistance of the state and of himself; and then they will always be loyal to him.” Machiavelli

7. Understanding Political Parties Party Structure set by State Law. Party Structure set by State Law. Do you know how/or when your party influences legislation Do you know how/or when your party influences legislation Do they help or hurt? Do they help or hurt? Many debates are not about R’s or D’s Many debates are not about R’s or D’s The toughest battles are going to be within your own party. The toughest battles are going to be within your own party.

8. Party Structure Township Committeeman/woman Township Committeeman/woman County Committee County Committee Legislative District Committee Legislative District Committee Senatorial District Committee Senatorial District Committee Judicial District Committee Judicial District Committee Congressional District Committee Congressional District Committee State Republican/Democrat Committee State Republican/Democrat Committee

9. Building a relationship with your Representative or Senator. Building a relationship with your Representative or Senator. Do you know who they are? Do you know who they are? Do you know them well enough to call? Do you know them well enough to call? Have you ever worked on their campaign? Have you ever worked on their campaign? Have you ever visited them in Jeff. City? Have you ever visited them in Jeff. City? Do you know the L.A.? Do you know the L.A.?

10. Communication “It is often not enough to be Right!” What – Are your goals, needs/wants What – Are your goals, needs/wants When – Timing is everything When – Timing is everything How – To approach the topic How – To approach the topic Where – Either in District or at Capitol Where – Either in District or at Capitol

11. Communication “Esse Est Percepi” “Esse Est Percepi” Know your audience Know your audience Never Threaten!!!!! Ever!!!!! Never Threaten!!!!! Ever!!!!! Fear!! Understand it. Fear!! Understand it.

12. Knowing an issue from all vantage points. Knowing an issue from all vantage points. Seek first to understand, then be understood. Seek first to understand, then be understood. “…if you know yourself and you know your enemy. You have not to fear the outcome of a thousand battles.“Sun Tsu – The Art of War – “…if you know yourself and you know your enemy. You have not to fear the outcome of a thousand battles.“Sun Tsu – The Art of War –

13. The future…Depends on you! How a bill really becomes a law! This is the adult NC-17 version not the fourth grade field trip or School House Rock version from grade school. This is the adult NC-17 version not the fourth grade field trip or School House Rock version from grade school.

14. Process Sponsor – It matters “Chain of Evidence” who has the Bill? Power of Referral Committee Chair Floor Leader To the floor – know the battlefield.

15. Press and Lobbyists Part Three: Working with/against the press. Working with/against Lobbyists - they are not always our enemies. Meet with Press and Local lobbyists Part Three: Working with/against the press. Working with/against Lobbyists - they are not always our enemies. Meet with Press and Local lobbyists

16. Press/Lobbyists Relationships Matter Relationships Matter The Truth will set you free! The Truth will set you free! Everyone has an agenda…EVERYONE! Everyone has an agenda…EVERYONE! Grammar counts Grammar counts Be Polite…always!!! Be Polite…always!!!

17. Thank You!!! Let us know if this was beneficial Let us know if this was beneficial Chris Howard Twitter - @ChrisHowardStL Email – chrisgrahnhoward@gmail.com