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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– [email protected] – Washington Office Line:
(202) 628-8410 (800) 941-8478 (for the cash strapped among us)
– www.ala.org Stephanie Vance, the Advocacy Guru
– [email protected]– (202) 349-1036– www.advocacyguru.com
