Education, Advocacy and Lobbying – Oh My!: What’s Allowed (and What’s Not) When Reaching out...

Education, Advocacy and Lobbying – Oh My!: What’s Allowed (and What’s Not)

When Reaching out to Elected Officials

An ALA Washington Office Webinar

Topics

About the Webinar Who’s Speaking? Welcome from ALA Defining Terms What the Law Says (Or How to Find Out

What the Law Says) What Some People Say the Law Says Your five minute action plan

About the Webinar

What’s happening? Muting Q&A Recording and Follow-Up Materials

Who’s Speaking?

Welcome from ALA

Where are we Starting From?

Let’s go to the polls!

Education = Knowing What You Do

Generally achieved through direct and indirect outreach (sending newsletters, website, connecting through visits, etc.)

Public Relations = Feeling Good About What You Do

Generally achieved through outreach from others (media, community groups, etc.)

Advocacy = You Asking Them to Be Engaged in and Supportive of What You Do

Policy Asks Support a bill Support a local

initiative Support a funding

request

Relationship Asks Visit our library Talk to our board Connect with our

friends group Make a statement

Lobbying = Ongoing Direct One on One Communication (and Tracking)

Tracking Federal: 10,000 bills

introduced. 4% pass State: Somewhat less

abysmal

Note: OGR does this on the federal level and chapters do this on a state level

Someone needs to keep track of all that!

One Determining Factor in “Lobbying”

Associated with specific vote or political action? Or not?

Another: The TYPE of Ask

What the Law Says: Federal

Tax Implications

Legal Implications

Constituent / Grassroots Exemptions

What the Law Says: State & LocalThemes

Registration Reporting Identification Gifts Non-Profits CA Example

Resources

The State Board of Elections

Secretary of State State Legislature Best State Resource:

National Conference of State Legislatures

Local Government Websites

Special Rules for Election Seasons

• Balance• Nonpartisan• Not favoring one

candidate or perspective over another

• Examples• Voter registration

and GOTV• Candidate-wide

forums

The reality (in some areas)

You’re not “allowed” to speak to officials

Only certain people can speak to legislators

Communications with officials must be coordinated through others

Solutions

Be clear on your rights as a citizen Cultivate alliances internally (such as the organization-wide

lobbyist) Offer to help with monitoring Offer to assist on other issues (with all this advocacy training

you’ll be an asset) Focus on education, public relations and advocacy (not

lobbying) Train others to do advocacy

– Board– Friends– Trustees

Checklist for Education, Advocacy, Lobbying and Beyond!

Know your rights as a private citizen

Know the local, state and federal laws

Take baby steps (education first, then build from there)

Know the perspectives of your organization Nervous? Somewhat willing? Other internal staff need

to be involved? Excited?

If needed, develop arguments for higher-ups to enhance your ability to advocate / lobby

Find and train others who can lobby

Create “win-win” situations (how can you help someone else?)

Questions?

Contact Information

Ted Wegner, ALA Washington Office– twegner@alawash.org – Washington Office Line:

(202) 628-8410 (800) 941-8478 (for the cash strapped among us)

– www.ala.org Stephanie Vance, the Advocacy Guru

– vance@advocacyguru.com– (202) 349-1036– www.advocacyguru.com