Transcript Making a Difference

Making a Difference
Ruth Hoffman
Lutheran Advocacy Ministry-NM
1701 Arroyo Chamiso
Santa Fe, NM 87505
(505) 984-8005 [email protected]
www.lutheranadvocacynm.org
What is Lutheran Advocacy Ministry-NM?
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A state public policy office of the Rocky
Mountain Synod-ELCA and ELCA World Hunger
Advocates for and with those with little or no
economic or political power
Advocates for just, sound and compassionate
public policies based upon the social justice
policy positions of the ELCA
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Advocacy basics
 Enthusiasm
 Provide
view
 Work
and passion
information and point of
in and with coalitions
 Legislation
= public policy
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How does legislation happen?
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Someone wants the legislature to do
something about a situation that they
care about (change public policy) –
• A change in an existing law
• Funding for a program or project
• A new law
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How does legislation happen?
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Why & how do you think public policy
should be changed?
• Discuss it with others concerned about
the issue
• Do some research
• Research what you want done
• Research possible solutions
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How does legislation happen?
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After you know what you want done
• Find out if other people or
organizations want the same thing and
ask them to join with you or you can
join with them
• Coalitions can be much more
effective
• Keep your coalition informed & urge
them to respond to your “alerts”
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How does legislation happen?
• Talk to your legislators about it
• Explain it
• Tell stories to illustrate it
• If possible, show them the “situation”
• Listen to ideas that they might have
• Ask them to help you get it done
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When should we start working on
making legislation happen? Now!
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Working on changes in public policy
happens all year long
• Don’t wait until a legislative session
starts
• Interim legislative committees meet
during each summer and fall
• Legislators have more time to talk
with you when they are at home and
not “in session.”
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When are legislative sessions?
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Convene on the 3rd Tuesday of January
at noon
• Odd-numbered years – 60 days
• Even-numbered years – 30 days
• Special sessions – usually called by the
governor
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What about the executive
branch of government?
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Try to meet with the governor or the
governor’s staff about your issue.
• Explain what you are trying to do and
ask for support.
• Tell stories to make your case.
• The governor can ask legislators to
carry bills
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What about the executive
branch of government?
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Try to talk with the executive agency or
department that will be implementing
your legislation.
• They can be helpful.
• It is important that they understand
how the legislation or funding should
be implemented when it becomes law.
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What are interim
legislative committees?
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Interim committees include legislators
from both houses and parties
They generally meet monthly from June
through November and into December
They are organized by policy areas
They recommend legislation
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Can I speak before an
interim committee?
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YES!
You should contact the chairman of the
committee or the staff of the
committee and ask to be on the agenda
for one of their meetings
• This is an opportunity to explain what
you want the legislature to do
• If you can, use local stories.
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How does a bill get written?
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What you want the legislature to do
must be written in the form of a bill.
• You don’t have to write it!
• The legislator who is working with you
will ask the Legislative Council Service
staff to write a bill about your issue.
• All funding is ultimately included in
the state budget bill (HB2).
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When should we start contacting
legislators to support our issue?
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Now!
It is very effective to contact and talk
with legislators before a legislative session
starts.
• They have more time to meet with you
when they are at home
• Ask others to contact their legislators
too!
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Does contacting legislators
make a difference?
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YES!
What you think about an issue counts
and legislators care about what you
think!
Be sure to contact all members of the
legislative committees that will be
considering your bill BEFORE each
committee hearing.
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Communication Basics
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Be courteous, respectful, friendly and
positive
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Don’t be arrogant, condescending or
threatening
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Be brief and accurate
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Be sure to mention if you are a
constituent -- You are important!
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Communication Basics
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Listen carefully
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Be appreciative; acknowledge past
support
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Be specific; if possible, refer to specific
legislation or issue
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Don’t be afraid to say “I don’t know” in
answer to a question:
• Find the answer and get back to them
later
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How do I communicate
with policymakers?
Letter Writing, including email messages
• Letters can be the most powerful means of
communicating with public officials
• Write about only one issue per letter
• Neatly handwrite, type or email your letter
• Try to include supporting facts and give
reasons for your position
• Refer to a specific bill, if possible
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How do I communicate
with policymakers?
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Put your return address on the letter and the
envelope
Use the proper form of address
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“The Honorable” on the address on both the envelope
and the heading
“Dear Representative” or “Dear Senator” is the
salutation
Brevity is even more important for email
messages!
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How do I communicate
with policymakers?
“Letters to the Editor” of a newspaper
• Very effective way of influencing both public
policy and public opinion
• Keep your letter short – about 250 words
• Get to the point and write in simple language
• Sign your letter with your contact info
• Newspapers accept letters electronically
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How do I communicate
with policymakers?
Telephone calls
• During legislative sessions, office staff
answer most calls to lawmakers.
• When you call a legislator at home, you may
reach them or, more likely, an answering
system.
• Be brief and specific
• Talk about only one issue per call
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How do I communicate
with policymakers?
Personal Visits
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Follow “Communication Basics”
It is most effective to try to make an
appointment while lawmakers are at home in
their districts.
During sessions:
• Expect brief visits
• You may have to simply leave a note
saying you came by and briefly stating
your position or issue
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How do I communicate
with policymakers?
Attend Committee Hearings
(interim & session)
Meetings of standing committees during
legislative sessions:
• Anyone may attend and testify
• Chairman will ask if anyone would like to
speak either in favor of or opposed to the
bill being discussed
• Stand, identify yourself, and briefly state
your position
• Don’t speak for an organization unless you
know its official position
• Committee meeting schedules and agendas
can be long and unpredictable
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Remember -As long as you are sincere and
polite, there is no wrong way to
communicate with a policymaker!
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What should I do after my bill
passes the legislature?
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Follow up with the governor’s staff or
try to talk with the governor personally
and with executive agencies to make
sure that they understand the need for
your bill.
Have others contact the governor’s
office in support of your bill or funding.
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Know the opposition
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Find out who might oppose your issue
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Know the arguments they will use
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Plan how to respond to their arguments
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What happens to a bill?
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You can make a difference!
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Advocacy is --
•Exciting
•Challenging
•Crucial
•Effective
•Long term
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