Gene G. Veno & Associates

As of June 2009:258 House Bills passed186 Senate Bills passed 77 Total laws passed

• Know your association’s issue inside and out.Bill number, PN, Sponsors and so much more

• Know your legislator and why he/she may be against or for your legislative issue

• Know that you are not the only association calling on your legislators that day

• How to know if your Lobby Day at the Capital was a Success/Failure?

• The Purpose of an Association Lobby Day• Lobby Day Do’s and Don’ts • Lobby Day Advanced Planning• Lobby Day Wrap-up• No gifts, just your Association and the Issues• Time is not the Driver• Host an after Lobby Day Gathering

The above may seemThe above may seemTrite and common sense, but knowing in advanceTrite and common sense, but knowing in advancewhat to do and what not to do is planning at your best!what to do and what not to do is planning at your best!

• It takes one person to initiate change

• Gerry Jensen, a single mother who founded the Association for Child Support Enforcement

• Families of Alzheimer’s patients convinced government to invest in more research

• Mothers Against Drunk Driving

Linda in 1994 having a discussion with President Bill Clinton in the Oval Office at the White House

• It is hard to change laws and policies, but it can be done

• Women given the right to vote

• Child labor laws

Supporting her are Bill and Hillary Clinton

• Telling our policymakers how to write and change our laws is at the very heart of our democratic system

• Has helped democracy evolve over more than two centuries

• New laws to enable caterers and restaurants to donate excess food

• New laws helping abused children to be placed into safe homes faster

• You can learn how to lobby- whom to call, when, what to say- in minutes

• Lobbying is easier and more effective when people work together

• You see problems first hand

• You know the needs

• You know what works and what doesn’t

• Everything that goes into a lobbying campaign can be helpful:

The researchThe strategy planningThe phone calls and visits

• The federal government has been allowing local governments to decide how to spend federal money

• This gives local nonprofits even more responsibility to tell local policymakers what is needed

• Building public trust is essential to nonprofit organizations

• Lobbying increases your organization’s visibility

• Think about relationships with local, state, and federal government

Can you still be effective?

Absolutely you CAN!

MOST DON’T! You know why?

• Agreement of rank and file

• Politics as usual

• We want more than we can get

• At least that was the thinking in the 50’s• Membership was easy• Loyalty was rampant• No one questioned your legislative positions

• It is no longer a service to just protect a members license… you now need to advance it!

• Members want you to get it done and now

• Sure I will join when I get better reimbursements, etc.

• Why do I need to join or contribute to PAC… the association is serving me regardless

Are you kidding me?Are you kidding me?

LET’S REVIEW…•Psychologist vs. Psychiatrist•Pharmacists vs. Pharmaceuticals•Nutritional vs. Dietitians•Public Insurance Agents vs. Insurance Lobby•Podiatrists vs. Orthopedic•Chiropractors vs. Chiropractors vs. Chiropractors vs. Chiropractors, and then vs. Physical Therapist vs. Medical Profession - all specialties

And we still accomplished many legislativeAnd we still accomplished many legislativeVictories over the years as far back as 1991 and up to today!Victories over the years as far back as 1991 and up to today!

• Know the issues inside and out

• Know your legislator

• Know that you are not the only association

“If you are not on the Hill meeting with legislators regularly to inform them about your profession, guess what? Someone else is meeting with legislators/regulators and they are not informing them about what you do, but how they can do it better!”

- Gene G. Veno

Let me explain:

• If you have a relationship with legislators/staff and are available for consultation when the need arises, it is much better than running to the legislator/staff when you only have a problem

Being seen, you do not always need to be heard!

• Compliments, appreciation, condolences, thank you notes really work!

• If you are sincere in your note, it will serve you better than anything else!

• Does your organization send Holiday Cards? I DON’T! They are rarely ever read by the legislator – come on, do you read the US Senator Cards with wife and children laminated? Where do they end up – in the basket on the wall for what and for who to see? Status maybe?

Wow! What an impactful way to be noticed and appreciated and show your true core belief!

• Sometimes and Sometimes not

Be Careful, Be Professional, Be Aware of what you are attempting!

• Willing to share a recent success story?

• Willing to share a recent unsuccessful story?

• Willing to share a new idea?

• Lobbying is truly an art

• Lobbying is not about you

• Lobbying is a process

• Lobbying is selling the abstract

• Lobbying is not easy!

Question 1Least

Effective

2 3ModeratelyEffective

4 5Most

Effective

Mean

Member Receptions 22% 33% 33% 11% 0% 2.33

Party & Group Receptions

50% 13% 38.% 0% 0% 1.88

Selective Receptions 0% 11% 56% 22% 11% 3.33Member & StaffLunches

0% 10% 0% 50% 40% 4.20

Individual Member Lunches

10% 0% 0% 20% 70% 4.60

Night Patrol 33% 33% 22% 11% 0% 2.11Speaking Invitations 20% 0% 0% 70% 10% 3.90

Giving Awards 0% 11% 22% 44% 22% 3.78PAC Contributions 0% 0% 22% 44% 33% 4.11General Grassroots Campaigns

0% 20% 30% 20% 30% 3.60

Targeted GrassrootsCampaigns

0% 0% 20% 40% 40% 4.20

Member Day at The Capitol

0% 10% 40% 40% 10% 3.50

Small GroupsW/Advocate

3.75

Question 1Least

Effective

2 3ModeratelyEffective

4 5Most

Effective

Mean

Professional Hardcopy

0% 20% 20% 40% 20% 3.60

In House Hardcopy

0% 10% 10% 70% 10% 3.80

Multimedia Presentations

0% 25% 25% 50% 0% 3.25

Newspaper Advertisements

11% 22% 67% 0% 0% 2.56

Editorial BoardTours

13% 25% 13% 50% 0% 3.00

Faxing a Message 50% 25% 25% 0% 0% 1.75

Emailing a Message

40% 10% 30% 0% 20% 2.50

Hand Delivery to Members Office

0% 20% 20% 20% 40% 3.80

Verbal Communication W/Staff

10% 0% 10% 50% 30% 3.90

Verbal Communication W/Member

0% 0% 20% 20% 60% 4.40

• Pennsylvania Chiropractic Association’s Lobby Day success!

and so much more!!!and so much more!!!

• Sign up and feedback forms

• Your Talking Points

• Zipcode database lookup

• House and Senate Member Information & Photo

• Maps: Parking, Dining, Hotels, Public Transportation and ADA Accessibility to the Capitol

• YES... even the Weather!

• Your Agenda

• Bill Feeds

Legislative Contacts…• General Assembly• Freshmen• Leadership• Committees• Subcommittees - Coming soon!• Delegations• PA Congressional Delegation

Executive Contacts…

• Legislative Liaisons• Press Secretaries 

Media Contacts…

• Television Stations• Radio Stations• Newspapers (Press Release)• Newspapers (Editorial/Op-Ed)• Capitol Newsroom Contacts

 

PA Legislative Services• PLS

What is it??• A powerful and effective legislative website• Always up to date, accessible anytime, anywhere• Member Statistics

Why use it???• Keep members up to date on the latest developments in

Harrisburg• Allow your members to become Grassroots advocates for

YOUR organization

Alerts Provide:• Background information on your issues• Bills important to you - with current status and history• Your positions on bills• Comprehensive contact information• Sample letters• Tips for writing, calling, or visiting your legislators• Links to petitions that can be printed for signatures• Targeted emails with customized messages• Chamber status for House, Senate or Both

Add one of our optional enhancementsAdd one of our optional enhancementsto make your Action Alert even more powerful!to make your Action Alert even more powerful!

Statistics• Legislative Voting Statistics• Committee Statistics• Member Statistics

Co-Sponsor MemosBill Text Comparison Tools

• Compare by chamber, session or version

Campaign Finance InformationMember Biographical Information

Thank YOU FOR ATTENDING

IT WAS MY PLEASURE TO ADDRESS ALL OF YOU THIS MORNING – REMEMBER LOBBYING IS EASY IF YOU

RESEARCH YOUR ISSUE PLAN YOUR STRAGETY BE READY TO DEFEND YOUR POSITION WITH EXPERT

INFORMATION