Transcript Slide 1

Lobbying
 UKPAC
Here you can read part of the Federation’s
Constitution.
It encourages all members to be aware of and
involved in issues of society which have
political (with a small p) implications and to
take up positions of advocacy using the
document Where We Stand as a guide.
Article III of the Constitution states:
‘It is the policy of
Soroptimist International
to be concerned with
international and national
issues that relate to
its objects and
programmes..............’
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 UKPAC
So let’s be very clear, making our views heard on matters which affect women and the world
in which we live, and trying to influence things for the better - or ‘bothering’ - is a very
important part of being a Soroptimist. This emphasis on advocacy carries through to the
UKPAC.
At each International Convention, when the Programme Focus is decided, the Committee sets
out its strategic aims and provides guidelines not only for its work but also for the work in
Regions and clubs. Following on from Glasgow in 2007, these have now been sent down to all
clubs.
These are the Programme Action objectives
until 2011, decided at Glasgow and agreed by
SIGBI at Harrogate in 2007. They give us
much scope for active lobbying. Within its
General Programme Aims, mentioned earlier,
there is the statement that UKPAC should
respond to government initiatives and
consultation documents both from a
specialist point of view and as working
women.
Programme Action Objectives 2007-11
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Improve access to clean water, sanitation & essential food resources
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End human trafficking & all forms of violence against women and girls
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Ensure access to health care for women and girls
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Support programmes and policies that would eliminate HIV/AIDS,
malaria, TB and major diseases
•
Eliminate poverty and gender discrimination through ensuring women's
full social and economic rights
•
Mitigate the effects of climate change and integrate sustainability into
personal choices & governmental policies and programmes
•
Meet the needs of women and girls during and after armed conflicts,
man-made & natural disasters
•
Promote peaceful processes for conflict resolution through
encouragement of intercultural and inter-racial tolerance; condemnation
of all forms of genocide and terrorism
•
Ensure equal access to education & training throughout their lifespan
•
Enable women’s advancement in management, politics & decision-making
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 UKPAC
Some issues are brought to the committee by representatives on outside bodies like:
The Parliamentary and Scientific Committee, UNICEF UK and the Cluster Munitions Coalition
(e.g. UK Campaign lobbying group recently sent letter to David Miliband)
So what does the UKPAC Lobbyist do?
*Her brief is to follow what is happening at
government level: white and green papers,
consultative documents, bills, select
committee work and so on, and monitor
movements gaining strength for possible
legislation, especially with regard to women’s
rights and the family.
The function of the Lobbyist
Follow what is happening in parliament and
bring issues of interest to UKPAC for
discussion
Organise responses to government papers in
conjunction with clubs and members
Liaise with clubs on these and other issues
and give support re lobbying when needed
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 UKPAC
She brings relevant issues to the UKPAC and from there to clubs where the committee feels
countrywide lobbying would be appropriate.
She is also there to support all members and to enable them to lobby effectively by giving
advice and useful information should you need it.
*See Christine’s description of the Lobbying job at the end of this presentation
The Lobbyist’s brief is to monitor government
actions and this means making sure that we do
respond to consultation documents. These are
issued before legislation is formulated so that
government can learn how we all feel.
Responding to these is an important part of
UKPAC activity and the responses from
organisations like ourselves can often
influence how the government proceeds.
To give you an example: in 2008 both at
national and at club level, along with other
groups, we responded to the consultation
document Tackling Human Trafficking and
afterwards the UK Action Plan on Tackling
Human Trafficking was produced after,
“Careful consideration of your responses to
the public consultation”.
Examples of SIUKPAC responses to
government initiatives since Sept 2006
 Pensions White Paper
 A Framework for Fairness: the government’s ideas
for a law about equality
 Contributions to the shadow report on the
Convention to End Discrimination Against Women
(CEDAW)
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 UKPAC
This came up in 2007 and we have managed, with the help of members from three clubs, to
contribute through the Women’s National Commission, and we have also been able to comment
on the draft report. It is going direct to the UN in July 2008, and nearly all of our comments on
the draft report, particularly re health and education, were included.
The titles show how very specialised they can be and we do not have all the specialist
knowledge on the committee. So your help again is just so important.
The Lobbyist would like to develop a list of
people and clubs who do have the specialist
knowledge and experience and who would be
willing to help with these responses.
If you or your club is willing to go on the list,
please let us know so that we can continue to
put in responses of the highest quality, for
which we have an enviable reputation.
Can we help each other?
We are looking for Club members who have
specialist knowledge in particular fields and
who would be willing to help with the UKPAC’s
responses.
If you or your club is willing to go on a list please
do contact us.
In turn, if there is a topic which should be taken
up nationally, please let us know.
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 UKPAC
But helping the UKPAC does not mean that your club cannot respond individually. We are also
able to lobby ministers direct when the Lobbyist has meetings with the Ministers for Women –
more on that later.
One important point, if your club or Region feels that there is a topic which should be taken up
nationally, then what you should do is let the UKPAC, or the Lobbyist know if it is a lobbying
issue, via your regional PA chair. So much goes on in UKPAC and it is hoped you now
understand that lobbying is an important part of its work.
CEDAW, the Convention for End Discrimination
Against Women, came in to being in the 1980s.
CEDAW
Every four years the UK government has to
prepare a report saying what it has done to
improve the status of women.
Twenty-five years of the CEDAW Committee
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 UKPAC
But, of course, they can paint a rosy picture, so all women’s organisations are asked to present
information to be incorporated into a Shadow Report, which is presented at the same time as
the government report, to the UN Committee.
Now let’s look at the other side of the coin lobbying at club or Regional level, and look at
some ways to help you to put YOUR point of
view forward.
‘Where We Stand’ – Environment
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But first a word about the Where We Stand,
policy document mentioned earlier.
Climate Change
Economic globalisation
Food Security
Freshwater
Habitat
Mountain Ecosystems
Oceans’ seas etc
Ozone Layer
Sustainable Development
Waste Management
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 UKPAC
This statement of Soroptimist policy was issued years ago by Soroptimist International on a
variety of important topics - 54 in all - and we should refer to it before commencing any
lobbying campaign to find out the official SI view.
This slide shows the list of relevant items which could be grouped under Environment, as an
example. You can download the Where We Stand document from the UKPAC website; the
summary is best.
Do your research thoroughly to enable you to
be well-informed.
Lobbying Tips
• Research . . Research . . and RESEARCH
It cannot be stressed enough how important it
is to do your research before you start on a
subject that you feel strongly about.
• Plan your strategy
The essence of good lobbying is not to write
emotive letters to all and sundry but to beaver
away to make sure of your facts and to check
out the validity of the arguments you wish to
put forward - and to ascertain who it is best to
contact.
• Target opinion formers and decision-makers
• Form partnerships…… 2 + 2 = 5
• Write letters
• Media Releases
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 UKPAC
Without this no lobbying campaign will be effective. Plan your strategy - what you want to do,
whom you want to contact and when, and what you want to achieve. Form partnerships with
like-minded organisations to increase your effectiveness. Target appropriate opinion formers
and decision-makers.
Write careful and succinct letters – there is a presentation on publicity which includes letterwriting for best effect.
Monitor progress and be prepared to change if
something doesn’t work. Make sure that all
club members are in the picture.
When relevant, keep the UKPAC informed too!
Lobbying should be a vibrant and integral part
of the life of every club and not something that
should be on the sidelines.
More Lobbying Tips
• Monitor progress
• Don’t be afraid to stop a project if:
- it doesn’t take off
- people lose interest
- you feel that you have done all you can at
the time
• Keep your club informed
• Keep the UKPAC Lobbyist informed when relevant!
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 UKPAC
Clubs should identify someone or a group of members who will act as a focus. Lobbying,
particularly if you are in a group, can be both fun and rewarding and it can help to put your club
on the map as well as offering alternative ways for people to contribute to the life of the club
who may not always want to be involved in project work or fundraising. It doesn’t always mean
having a large project to work on.
You have all got local issues on which you could lobby - have a go!
If you are a club which has not done very much, then get together and plan what you will
campaign on and when (timing is important), how you are going to put your views forward and
to whom.
Things you can do to make your campaign
effective:
Decide if it is relevant to contact your local
councillors and local businesses and
organisations to find out what they were doing
and planning and to make them aware of your
views and concerns.
Try to get a letter in the local press or get on
local radio etc.
Making your campaign effective
• Is it relevant to your local council and businesses?
• Get a letter in the local press
• Hold a publicity activity
• Join with other clubs or organisations
• Would your MP want to get involved?
• What about your MEP?
• Set a timescale and review progress
• Be persistent!
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 UKPAC
Hold an activity or series of activities (they don’t have to be large) related to the issue to get
publicity – you may even get new members!
Join with other like-minded groups or other clubs in the Region; partnerships make more impact
and spread the SI message. Sometimes it may be relevant to contact your MP or MEP. Set a
timescale and review progress – do you continue or do you stop?
Remember to be effective you’ve got to be persistent – the ‘water dripping on a stone’ analogy.
One approach is not enough. It is the persistency that will eventually make people sit up and take
notice.
Now we come to relationships with your
Elected Representatives (a clumsy phrase but
it does cover all the UK).
Elected Representatives
• Get to know them!
• Develop a good relationship with them
To be able to put your views across to them
when you need to, it is really useful to have got
to know them and have developed a good
relationship with them.
• Ensure they know what your club is interested in
• Lobby sensibly and they will get to know what you
stand for
• You may get invited onto local radio or TV
Then lobbying is much easier.
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If you lobby sensibly, they will become aware of what your club and SI stands for.
If they are aware of this and know what you are interested in, sometimes they may turn to you as
an opinion-former, as, indeed will local radio and TV, if you cultivate them.
In these instances you stress your expertise and just drop in nonchalantly your SI connection – it
works!
Tips on Letter-writing
Now what about the business of writing
letters?
Remember to say:
The first thing to say is that you should use the
facility of writing to your elected representative
sparingly.
When you do write you should make sure that
you are very clear about what you want to say
(research) and the point or points you wish to
be answered.
• Who you are (see next slide)
• Why you are writing (slant your message to your
audience)
• What you would like to know/happen/be achieved
• Be SHORT, CLEAR and SUCCINCT
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If you have a good relationship with them, then they will take notice of you because you will have
credibility. And it may be that you can contact them or visit them to present your letter.
Of course, you know that MPs and MEPs have very different interests.
But don’t forget the MEP!
Letters - one page of A4
When you are writing letters it is important to
remember that the presentation should be
clear and uncluttered and on one sheet of A4
paper.
The introductory paragraph should make clear
the purpose of the letter. Then give details of
your club’s concerns (these should be bulleted
and be succinct).
Always ask one question (which needs an
answer) or call for action.
Who we are:
• SI ………..(club) is part of Soroptimist International,
which is a vibrant organisation for today’s
professional and business women. We are committed
to a world where women and girls achieve their
individual and collective potential, realise aspirations
and have an equal voice in creating strong, peaceful
communities.
• Details of club’s concerns
• Ask a question or call for action
• President to sign
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End the letter by saying, “We look forward to hearing from you” as this means they should give
you the courtesy of a reply. Letters should, of course, be signed by the President.
If your membership straddles constituencies, then write a letter to each of them, stressing that
you have members of their constituency in your club and you can give a reply address of a
member in the constituency.
However, remember, don’t flood MPs with letters from individual Soroptimists – this is a sure way
to the bin and a sure way for us to lose credibility. Of course, any individual can lobby on
anything, but there must be a clear distinction between these letters and the letters which go out
bearing the Soroptimist banner.
E-mail and Fax are not as effective as a letter
and at the beginning of your campaign won’t
have the impact of a well produced letter.
They will almost certainly be passed over, if
your elected representative has no idea who
you are.
If you have developed a relationship with them,
then this is a useful tool.
Electronic mail
• Not as effective as a letter, especially at the
beginning of a campaign.
• Often overlooked
• Use if you have developed a relationship already
• Remember a letter requires an answer – faxes and
emails do not!
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It is quick and easy, but doesn’t get so much attention.
Remember a letter has to be answered, but often e-mail and faxes do not.
Hopefully this outline presentation of the
lobbying aspects of UKPAC life and the tips to
successful lobbying in clubs will whet your
appetites to do more on the lobbying front in
the future.
And we will all do what we can to help, if it is
needed.
Lobbying is
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Fun
Satisfying
Productive
Good for team spirit
And it helps us to:
- Raise awareness,
- Practice advocacy
- Get into the action
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 UKPAC
Remember that lobbying is a very good way to engage members, particularly new ones and it is:
Fun, Satisfying, Productive, Good for team spirit and enables us to:
Raise awareness, Practice advocacy and Get into the action!
The Role of the Lobbyist
Christine Tobias was the UKPAC Lobbyist for three years and wrote the
following description of her role shortly before her death in April 2009
The Role of the UKPAC Lobbyist
My work has altered over the past years since I became the Lobbyist and it might be helpful
to others if I set out what is entailed. It seems to divide into four parts.
1.
The liaison and support of clubs in the UK Many more seem to be taking lobbying to
heart and I am compiling a list of those who are most involved. This has involved my
visiting clubs to speak about lobbying (outside Roadshow visits – though I think the
Roadshow has given lobbying a higher profile), putting clubs in touch with one another
as and when, and helping with aspects of a club’s lobbying campaign on a particular
issue.
2.
Monitoring and Responding to Government Consultative Documents In my time this has
been a heavy commitment, particularly with the CEDAW Shadow Report (but this will not
raise its head again for another four years!) and government now seems to be
developing the habit of consulting before consultation – ie: it asks interested parties to
send in views, very often through a series of questions to help it in its preparation of the
Consultative Document.
The Role of the UKPAC Lobbyist - continued
So the Lobbyist must herself, or with people she knows who have experience in the
subject under discussion, keep tabs on and respond as required at both stages. One
major problem is choosing to which Consultations to respond. In addition to those I am
asked to respond to, I am ruthless in making sure that we respond only to those which
would have a major influence on women.
Some documents can be very technical and we need people with experience in the
field to respond – the Lobbyist can’t do it all. This has lead me to try to develop a list of
such people, but it is easier said than done. We have such experience amongst our
members that it is criminal not to be able to use it. It is one of the great strengths of
Soroptimism.
Now that we have devolved governments in Wales, Scotland and N. Ireland, some
Consultations are issued separately, so that a document issued for England will not be
exactly the same as those issued elsewhere. I have suggested before that we identify
people in these areas who can track and possibly organise a specific response.
Working with other Organisations – there is the question of whether or how we should
be working with other bodies on a response. I have worked with a couple of groups
over the past three years but we did put in individual reports – this was the case for
example, in a couple of our replies to the WNC for the CEDAW Shadow Report .
The Role of the UKPAC Lobbyist - continued
3.
When I become the UKPAC Lobbyist we had a representative on the Council of
Europe but, of course, no longer, so I now monitor the activities both of the Council of
Europe and The EU.
There is a considerable amount of legislation affecting women and children: stop
violence against women, trafficking etc – being developed by the EU. As I have
explained before, effective lobbying in respect of the EU can only be done at the
Commission stage. Beyond that the MEPs govern by seeking consensus and much
time is taken adjusting the bills to a ‘one size fits all’.
This is why MEPs in Parliament and Committee cannot influence substantially.
4.
Quite a number of issues come to the Lobbyist from SIGBI – to give an example, I
have worked with Sue Challoner (APD for Economic and Social Development) on
Fair Trade issues, but there have been others. Also we receive requests from SIGBI
asking us to get involved in certain issues/conferences.
I hope this analysis gives you some idea of the role of the UKPAC Lobbyist.
Christine Tobias, February 2009