You Can Be a Lobbyist*
“ To reach the heart or get the vote,
The surest way is down the throat “ Samuel Colt-Gun Lobbyist
Lobbying is :Advocacy of a point of view by groups or individuals.’
Earning its moniker from the 1800’s era “lobby agents lurking in the hallways of
NY State to England’s Parliament, it has now come to refer to one who
represents a special interest," stakeholder.”
In its purest form, lobbying is an expression of the tenets of the First
Constitutional amendment; the people, peaceably assembling and petitioning
their government for redress.
These tips generously provided by Lori Kammerer, Lobbyist and sponsored
speaker for the External Affairs committee’s PRIMA 2007 presentation should
empower and enhance our capacity to advocate for our interests as Grassroots
Lobbyists.
*This submission contains material redacted and extracted with full permission from 2007 PRIMA Conference Presentation by Lori C Kammerer-Kammerer &
Company “How to Effectively Lobby Your Legislator …”sponsored by the External Affairs Committee
Edited by D.McHam-Pinto, Fulton County Gov. –Asst. Risk Mgr
Grassroots Lobbying
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Consolidate a coalition of stakeholders
Identify the issue you support or oppose
Develop Fact Sheet on the Issue
Identify Legislator's) who shares your view or can be convinced to “Carry your water”
Build and Broaden your coalition-Diversify support
Consider use of expert consultants for drafting position statement
Find the open ears-those who will hear you first
Meet the Leadership in both Houses
Identify your Opposition-Explore areas of common ground
Weigh tolerance for compromise/amendment
Count your blessings and your votes
Publicity can be a good thing
Shepherd your issue, all the way through to enactment.
Lobbying 101-Etiquette
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DO
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Schedule appointment in advance
Familiarize yourself with state /local regulations on
lobbying.
Address your lawmaker properly
Identify yourself and your organization immediately
Identify your bill number, author and status of the
legislation
Be brief, concise ,courteous ,respectful and
reasonable
Remember meeting with the Staff is just as
important as meeting with the legislator
Be the resource on the issue (Establish your
knowledge, background and interest
Remember your manners, Thank You goes a long
way, expressed orally and in writing.
Copy your own legislator on your correspondence
Keep the door open for further discussion , i.e. areas
of compromise
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DON’T
Begin with the citizen and taxpayer spiel,
most of us are and the representatives
know this. Save your breath (and time)
for what really counts!
Don’t apologize for taking their time
Don’t be arrogant or threatening to a
legislator or staff member
Don’t force or demand that legislator
take a position during your meeting. You
can create the opportunity for a followup meeting.
Don’t send “form” letters
Don’t “burn bridges,” Live to fight
another day!
Never, ever bribe or connect
monetary/in-kind gifts of any kind in the
building or in any State Office!