Effective
Lobbying
What’s in It for Me?
Created by: Joe Bell, Karen Jones, Wanda Lynn,
Mark Perez, Willa Vire, and Bert Wagnon
Effective Lobbying
Define Your Issue
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Effective Lobbying
The Basics:
•Political Action
•Grassroots Lobbying
•Advocacy
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Effective
Lobbying
Where does
lobbying begin?
Effective Lobbying:
Where does lobbying begin?
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Your work site
Local offices
Friends’ living rooms
Phone conversations
E-mails, telegrams
Social events
 Community
meetings
 Hearing rooms
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Effective Lobbying:
Do’s or Don’ts?
Check those items that contribute
to effective lobbying.
Effective Lobbying:
Do’s and Don’ts
Do
Get to the point soon and focus on your
issue. Time is precious.
 Keep it simple. Explain in simple and
straightforward terms the logic supporting
your position.

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Effective Lobbying:
Do’s and Don’ts
Do
Get to know rep’s staff – they can be as
important as the lawmaker.
 Know your issue.
 Remember there’s strength in numbers.
Many issues are decided on the volume of
communications received.

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Effective Lobbying:
Do’s and Don’ts
Do
Remember important information. (Your
contact information with all your
communications, pertinent data, bill #,
etc.)
 Commit to your cause. Follow-up with
letters and calls after the initial contact.
 Be a good winner and loser; remember,
you win some and you lose some.

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Effective Lobbying:
Do’s and Don’ts
Do
 Be
patient. Results could take several
months – or even several sessions.
 Ask lawmakers to state their positions.
 Thank your lawmaker, no matter what
the outcome.
 Use the media.
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Effective Lobbying:
Do’s and Don’ts
Don’t
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Cover multiple issues in one communication.
Use form letters to convey a consistent
message.
Underestimate the weight given to letters and
phone calls.
Make one contact to the lawmaker, then drop
the issue.
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Effective Lobbying:
Do’s and Don’ts
Don’t
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Let the lawmaker know that your organization
has asked you to contact him/her.
Ignore opportunities to visit your lawmaker at
home.
Lie – never.
Forget that you and your lawmaker need each
other.
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Effective Lobbying:
Building Relationships
1.
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3.
Get to know the political powers before you ask
them to do something for you.
Establish a positive relationship with your
representatives through visits, phone calls, Emails, etc.
Visit your representatives in your district.
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Effective Lobbying:
Building Relationships
1.
2.
3.
Invite your representatives to your work
site.
Provide them with background
information and offer yourself as a
resource.
Provide recognition and visibility in
exchange for their support.
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Effective Lobbying:
Message Articulation
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Know and plan delivery of your message.
Practice, practice, practice! Nothing is
more impressive than a smooth and
professional presentation.
Be brief. Show you value their time.
Get to the point.
Be courteous.
Don’t forget to close. Ask for their support.
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Effective Lobbying:
Professional Image
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Punctuality
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Know where to go
Arrive at least 15 minutes early
Physical Appearance
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You only get one chance to make a first
impression
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Effective Lobbying:
Professional Image
Proper Dress
•A suit is recommended for both men and women.
•Men may wear pants and jacket.
•Women may wear a skirt and a jacket. (appropriate
length)
•Best colors are navy, black, and beige.
Shoes
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Men should wear polished dress shoes.
Women should wear polished, medium heels
with closed toes.
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Effective Lobbying:
Professional Image
Jewelry
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Jewelry should be neat and simple.
Guys should not wear earrings.
Makeup
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Makeup should be applied neatly and conservatively.
Lipstick color should be a natural or light shade.
Nails should either be polished clear or red.
Hair
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Hair should be neat.
Wear long hair pulled back away from face.
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Effective Lobbying:
Professional Image
Body Language Conveys Confidence
• Stand and sit straight. (Practice by placing a book on your
head.)
• Promote a positive image with a pleasant facial
expression. (Practice in a mirror.)
• Be the first to extend your hand in greeting.
• Place your arms on the chair’s armrests or by your side
with your hands gently locked in your lap. (avoid
fidgeting)
• Keep both feet on the ground.
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Effective Lobbying
What is a cadre?
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A Framework
A Nucleus
A Core
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Effective Lobbying
Who makes up a cadre?
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Effective Lobbying:
What is grassroots lobbying?
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Using internal resources and networks to
advance the agenda.
Demonstrating to key policy makers that
particular issues have support in their home
base.
Focusing on the quality of information and
quantity of time with the policy maker. (Make
the most of the moment.)
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Effective Lobbying:
Who is a grassroots lobbyist?
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You and anyone else who has an
interest in a particular policy issue.
Like who?
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Association members, friends,
families, colleagues, church groups,
etc. are potential grassroots lobbyists.
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Effective Lobbying: What do I need
to begin grassroots lobbying?
1.
Have an effective message

What are you going to tell the policy
maker?
You must tell the story, and why you want
to tell it.
Once the message is developed, the cadre
must use it consistently.
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Effective Lobbying: What do I need
to begin grassroots lobbying?
2.
Target your message
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Grassroots lobbying is labor intensive, so
it is critical to prioritize through careful
targeting.
Identify the policy maker that you have the
greatest chance of influencing through
grassroots techniques.
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Effective Lobbying:
Your Lobbying
Action Plan
Strategy for Internal and
External Communications
Effective Lobbying:
Lobbying Action Plan
Timelines & Delegation
of Responsibilities
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Effective Lobbying:
Lobbying Action Plan
Lobbying Campaign
Evaluation & Assessment
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Effective Lobbying:
Lobbying Action Plan
Handouts:
 “10 Golden Rules of Lobbying”
 “Meeting with Legislators”
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Effective Lobbying:
Activity: Case Study
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Certified Salary – School System
ESP Privatization – School System
Evaluation System – General
Assembly
Code of Ethics – Professional
Standards Commission
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Effective Lobbying:
Important Things to Remember
The Basics: Political Action, Grassroots
Lobbying & Advocacy
Lobbying Roles and Skills
Building the Cadre for Grassroots Lobbying
Your Lobbying Action Plan
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Effective
Lobbying
What’s in It for Me?
Created by: Joe Bell, Karen Jones, Wanda Lynn,
Mark Perez, Willa Vire, and Bert Wagnon