Transcript Slide 1

Advocacy 101
Erica M. Romero
and Karen Y. Zamarripa
San Antonio, Texas
October 30, 2006
Advocacy v. Lobbying
Advocacy: When nonprofit organizations/colleges advocate
on their own behalf; seek to affect some aspect of society,
whether they appeal to individuals about their behavior,
employers about their rules, or the government about its laws.
Lobbying: Lobbying refers specifically to advocacy efforts
that attempt to influence legislation.
Restriction on 501C3s
A 501(c)(3) non-profit cannot:
• Endorse or directly campaign for a candidate, party
or ballot initiative.
• Contribute directly or in-kind to a candidate, party
or ballot initiative.
• Distribute materials aimed to influence the
outcome of an election.
Restriction on
Nonprofits
Lobbying Limits On 501(c)(3)s:
IRS regulations allow 501(c)(3) organizations to spend an
“insubstantial” amount of money on lobbying.
Institutional Advocacy
Who and How
• Governing boards, presidents/chancellors are usually the
only entities who can take a position for the institution or
system
• Presidents/chancellors, faculty and staff writing personal
letters on a bill should refrain from using their
title/organization name
• Individuals have rights to express their personal views but
any title/organization name must be listed as for
identification purposes only (some schools prohibit the use
of title/organization period).
What Can We Do?
• Present educational information: must not be biased and
must “permit an individual or the public to form an
independent opinion or conclusion.”
• Provide forums for candidate debates, town halls and
forums as long as offered to both sides (whether at the same
time or not)
• Support voter registration efforts
What Can We Do?
• Take positions on legislation and budget issues
• Take positions on ballot initiatives (subject to lobbying
limitations) such as general obligation bonds and other
matters of direct impact to institution
Best Practices in
Making Your Case
• Know your audience - Do Your Homework
– Who are they?
– How does the issue relate to their district, constituents, voters and
communities?
• Choose the right or best messenger(s) for effort
• Anticipate and be prepared to address opposing arguments,
questions
• Repeat your message – over and over!
A Message to
Remember
Create a succinct message!
• Si Se Puede
• A Mind Is A Terrible Thing To Waste
• Just Say No
Friend, Foes and Others:
Who Are They?
• Champions
• Allies
• Fence Sitters
• Mellow Opponents
• Hard Core Opponents
The Basics:
Letter Writing
The Do’s
• State the bill number/budget item and your position in the
first paragraph
• Address only one issue per lette
• Explain how the bill impacts you and the Member’s District
• Use a personal story when possible
The Basics:
Letter Writing
The Do’s
• Include your return address (legislators often discard mail
from non-constituents).
• Keep the letter to no more than two pages; preferably one.
• FAX letter the same day mailed to Members
The Basics:
Letter Writing
The Don’ts
• Do not copy sample letters verbatim; personalize
• Do not use negative, condescending, threatening or
intimidating language.
• Do not enclose extra material
The Basics:
Office Visits
The Do’s
• Make an appointment – tell the scheduler what you want to
discuss and who will be attending the meeting
• Be Prepared
– bring a one-pager on the bill you seek to address
– Know your audience: member district, voting history
• Appoint a spokesperson
The Basics:
Office Visits
The Do’s
• Be assertive but polite and respectful
• Make a clear ASK of the Member, staff
• Send a thank you note
– Don’t forget staff too!
– Another chance to confirm the ASK
The Basics:
Office Visits
The Don’ts
• Turn down meetings with staff
• Rude, argumentative and threatening people will be
remembered – but not for the right reason
• Don’t be late
Legislative Staff
Contacts
Do’s
• Be polite, respectful of all staff
• Make introductions, provide card for future contact,
reference during the meeting
• Give the staffer background information
• Note questions and make sure to follow-up
Grassroots Advocacy:
Making It Local, Personal
• Alumni Advocacy
• Community, Business Leaders
• People of Influence
• Donors/Supporters
Coalition Building:
More and Diverse Voices
• Develop partners interested in common issues,
outcomes
• Build a broad coalition
– Think organizations outside of education
– Who would influence your audience?
• Different types of influence
– Grassroots, “grass tops”
• Who DON’T the members want to oppose?
The Fourth House:
Media
• Media influences voters, communities, and elected officials
– Both Proactive and defensive strategies can be used
• Tell a story – make it personal, local
• Media events should be provocative, exciting
– Why is your story better than another, or of greater interest to
reporters and their readers?
• Keep it timely
• Press releases – One page
Your Turn to be
the Advocate
• Take The DREAM ACT
• Create a 5-minute pitch for the Act for meetings with:
– 1) Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert (R-IL)
– 2) House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA)
– 3) Rep. Loretta Sanchez (D- CA)
Your Turn to be
the Advocate
• Develop strategy for your objective
– Who and what will influence them?
– What Grassroots Advocacy are you going to use in this effort?
– Who should be part of your coalition?
– Who is your spokesperson for each meeting?
– Is there a way to use the media?
Contact Information
Erica M. Romero
Western Regional Office
915 L Street, Suite 1425
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: (916) 442-0392
Fax: (916) 446-4028
Karen Y. Zamarripa
The California State University
915 L Street, Suite 1160
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: (916) 445-5983
Fax: (916) 322-4719
References
• CAN Advocacy/Lobbying Guide:
http://independenceave.org/advocacy/guide/ctnonp
rofits.org_a1.pdf
• http://www.biodiversityproject.org/EF%20Kit/EFCraf
tingcommunication.pdf#search='crafting%20your%
20message'