Citizen Lobbying

Citizen Lobbying

May 26th, 2009

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DFA Chair

Jim Dean

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Tonight’s Trainers

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Matt Blizek

DFA Training Director Gov. Howard Dean, M.D.

Bridget Dooley

AFSCME Organizer

DFA Trainer

Chicago, IL

Over 30,000 paid lobbyists in Washington, D.C.

Paid lobbying vs. Citizen lobbying

Legislators need educating – they don’t know everything!

Lobbying works!

What is Lobbying?

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vs.

Preparation & Planning

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Draft a Citizen Lobbying Campaign

(See attached sample plan)

Goal - What do you want to achieve?

Target - Who can give you what you want?

Tactics - How can we influence that person?

Research - Any upcoming votes or deadlines? Any stance on past or similar legislation?

Effective lobbying is a continuous campaign of planned and coordinated actions

Make allies and build coalitions

Get to know your target – What can you expect to get?

Anticipate your opposition

Setting Up a Meeting

Make an “official” written request� Sample meeting request letter

Ask to meet with your Representative or other relevant staffer

Where to meet:� Capital office � In-district office

Demonstrate a broad base of support� Petitions, letters, etc

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Quick Research Sources:

www.house.gov

www.senate.gov

www.congress.org

Constituency Meeting Prep3-5 people is ideal

• Be diverse & represent all constituencies

Be respectful

• Be there on time (be early!)

• Look presentable

Practice & Role Plays!

Lobbying Team Roles

Facilitator - runs the meeting & makes the ask

Storytellers – 1-2 people to tell a compelling story

Asker - makes a direct ask (may also be Facilitator)

Educator – presents fact sheets, information

Secretary - writes it all down, plans for follow up

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Constituent Meeting Agenda

1. Introductions - (5 min)- Names and addresses of

everyone

2. Review the agenda (5 min)

3. Why we’re here - (10 min)

- Present petitions, etc- Present facts, history, etc

4. Story time - (10 min)

5. The Ask! - (5 min)

6. Ask for questions - (5 min)

7. Wrap up - (5 min)

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Making the Ask

Tips for making the Ask

• Direct straight forward ask

• Make them answer

• Embrace the awkward silence

Follow up Questions:

Who else can you bring on board?

What is the opposition looking like?

What will it take for you to support this?

What is holding you back?

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Following up

If non-committal, make specific plans to get your

answer

Thank the legislator in person for their time

Send a written thank you note to their office

Build support & research before next meeting

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Turning up the pressureDirect pressure tactics:

� Letters, petitions, calls, Meetings, in-capital

lobby days

Indirect pressure tactics:

� Letters to editor, op-eds, paid media, press

conferences, visibility, protests, pickets, literature drops, Coalition building

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Remember: Honey attracts more flies than vinegar.

Stand with Dr. Dean

What are they thinking?

Healthcare reform - where are we?

What’s next for DFA on healthcare?

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Homework

• Find out where your elected official stands on a public health care option at

www.standwithdrdean.com

• Write out a lobbying plan using the attached template

• Contact your Congressional delegation and schedule your first meeting

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2009 Schedule

Click on location to RSVP!

May 30-31 Beaumont, CA July 25-26 Phoenix, AZ

June 5-6 Charlotte, NC Aug 1-2 Chicago, IL

June 5-6 Newark, NJ Sept 12-13 Jacksonville, FL

June 13-14 Shreveport, LA Sept 19-20 Lincoln, NE

June 27-28 Redding, CA Sept 26-27 Gettysburg, PA

July 11-12 Wichita, KS Oct 3-4 Columbia, MO

July 18-19 Birmingham, AL

More 2009 trainings to be announced soon…

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