Definition: An advocate is a person who attempts to influence the outcome of legislation by contacting legislators at the state capitol (regardless of district boundaries) on behalf of an organization.

Lobbying as an Honorable Profession

Advocacy is an appropriate way to witness to the justice message of the Gospel. Everyone who is affected by government action or inaction has a right to be involved--to present their case to those who make decisions. It is not long before you realize that legislators do not know "everything." A well-informed advocate plays a role in the legislative process by providing research and presenting important pieces of information.

Too much "advocacy" or "lobbying" carries negative connotations. Advocacy need not be seen negatively.

The important variables are the tactics an advocate employs and his or her motivation; how narrow or broad is the focus and who do you care about? The business lobbyist advocates on behalf of the business profits, while the religious lobbyist advocates on behalf of "the least of these."

Grassroots advocacy can play a particularly critical role in bringing about the passage of just social legislation. In most cases our membership is not as active as it could be. Religious bodies have little political clout. So we must stubbornly and persistently follow the legislative process while we advocate on behalf of the poor.

The Key to Success

• The real success comes when both local and national advocacy efforts are coordinated and complement each other.
  
  
• If we are organized and well-informed, and these activities are timed to support what is happening in the state legislature, then the efforts of the advocates will be much more credible, and thus, much more successful.

Limitations and Possible Solutions

1. Some legislators are disorganized
   • Little or no staff.
   • No offices for legislators ("difficult to buttonhole").
   • Closed meetings.
   • Solution: Work with other religious and secular bodies (congregations, diocese ecumenical or interfaith organizations, and public interest groups) to make government more open and accountable.
     
     
2. Your time is limited
• Solutions:
• Get informed ministers to testify on select issues, where possible.
• Use volunteers to collate materials and stuff envelopes for mailing or hand delivery.
• If a University is nearby, look into the possibility of having student interns from political science departments or schools of social work.
• Pool resources with other like-minded groups, people-oriented organizations are poorly funded, so work closely with them and don't duplicate efforts.

Helpful Hints for Advocates

• Know the legislative procedures. The process and the rules are critical to understanding procedures, or you will be out-maneuvered by your opponents. If you are actually going to the state house, you need to have daily calendars of floor action and schedules for committee hearings. Call committee staff for further details.
  
  
• Know the issues and bills thoroughly.
  • What's the problem that needs remedying?
  • How will the bill affect all that are concerned?
  • How much will it cost?
    
    
  It is usually not enough to say "It's good" or "It's right" or "It's morally just." We have to show that the measure will ultimately be "cost effective" (if connected with a program).
  
  Because we often have difficulty marshaling our forces, the clout we have comes from respect for our judgment, and our ability to be reasonable, as well as our offering of good, sound research.

Tips for Dealing with Legislators

1. You need to know their background, philosophy, and the political climate in the district they represent.
   
   
2. Try not to categorize legislators. A legislator who is liberal on issue A, may be conservative on issue B.
   
   
3. Do not alienate legislators. Keep your cool - don't ever threaten. As a multi-issue advocate, you will need that legislator's vote on another issue. Only single issue groups can afford the luxury of alienation.
   
   
4. Be honest. If you every knowingly mislead, you will never be trusted again.
   
   
5. Tell both sides of an issue if asked. Be truthful in telling them where they should expect opposition. They will need this information as part of their strategy.
   
   
6. Offer to help the sponsor in order to facilitate passage of a good bill. Legislators are overworked and must deal with an incredible number of bills. Willingness to do the 'legwork' is usually appreciated.
   
   
7. Reward a legislator with praise and thank you letters. Perhaps feature his or her picture in religious publications.
   
   
8. Invite legislators to speak to groups for exposure. (During election time, you must not appear partisan.)
   
   
9. Be considerate, open-minded and willing to compromise. Above all, maintain a sense of humor.
   
   
10. Try to wear business attire to meetings with legislators and their staffs.
    
    (See When You Are on Your Own: Specific Tips for Individual Lobby Visits, at the end of this piece.)

Organizing Support

Sponsors. Line up sponsors for proposed bills early and work closely with them throughout the Session.

Agency Support. With appropriations matters, try to get lower level administrators to request adequate monies for particular programs.

Administrative Support. Contact the administration's lobbyists or aides early to urge inclusion of your priorities in the Governor's legislative package.

Support from Other Organizations and Congregations. Lobby other lobbyists. If contacted early enough, they can take the issue to their boards for approval.

Media Coverage. Use the media as much as possible. We need public opinion on our side. Reporters need good sources of information, and editorial writers are always looking for a good story. Clip out favorable editorials and give them to key legislators. Good editorials can also be sent along to the membership.

Electronic Communication. Make use of your computer. By using email and the web, you can send your message out to more people with less effort. Messages can be updated quickly and easily. Many legislators have and use email. Hand-written letters remain one of the best means of communication to Congress. Also, use Web pages as a resource for current information, a link to state or national government, instant contact with your denomination, or create a Web page to communicate your message.

Member Group Support. Encourage member groups to pass resolutions at statewide general meetings in support of specific issues, and then use those statements when doing advocacy. The more you work in concert with them, the more credible you become as an advocate.

Legislative Staff. Work closely with the legislative staff. They influence legislators. Know who will prepare the staff analysis and write up your bill. Your input is needed.

Legislative Leadership Support. Majority leader of the Senate, President of the Senate, Chairperson of the Republican Caucus, Speaker of the Assembly, Majority Leader of the Assembly, Chairperson of the Democratic Assembly Caucus, and Chairpersons (or their aides) need to be contacted. Most bills die due to lack of support or interest. The leadership can also insure favorable committee assignments.

National Level. Follow issues in the national level. Work with national level advocacy organizations which can inform you on important federal level decisions that will affect your state advocacy. Congressional actions influence state level policy and vice versa. You will be a much better advocate if you know every side of an issue.

Advocacy Strategy - The Legislative Process

1. Lining Up Support in Committee
   • Line up your votes before the committee ever meets. Target key votes. Don't waste time on lost causes.
   • Testimony seldom changes minds, but can be useful in publicly showing support for a certain measure, and is sometimes necessary to add credibility to a legislator's vote.
   • When testifying, keep it short and to the point. Legislators are very busy and don't like to waste time.
   • Stay until the meeting is over. A bill can be brought up for reconsideration.
   • Make sure that your votes will be there.
     
     
2. Insuring Proper Funding
   • Do not forget to advocate for your cause with the members of the Rules Committee and legislative leadership to get the bill scheduled for floor debate and vote.
   • Link up legislators to speak in favor of the bill (work with the bill sponsor on this).
   • Prepare arguments in favor of the bill (if necessary).
   • After passage in one chamber, follow the bill to the other side.
   • Send position statements (or give in-person) to critical voters.
     
     
3. Administrative Follow-Up
   • If victorious, celebrate victory in publications. Readers must share in the success.
   • Action should not stop when a bill becomes a law. We must defend the reforms that have been achieved and must insure that the system works.
   • Follow-up on legislation passed. Are the agencies implementing the law appropriately? Do we need to testify at the administrative hearings which decide on the rules and regulations guiding the program? Are we getting our monies worth? Are people being served?
   • Report your work to national structures. This feedback will help national organizations set priorities and provide case studies to present to federal policy makers. In addition, the national organizations will be able to share your success stories with other local groups doing similar work, and communicate successful and unsuccessful advocacy tips.

BE PATIENT - MOST PROGRAMS TAKE YEARS TO PASS.

When You Are on Your Own:
Specific Tips for Individual Lobby Visits

How to Visit Your Senator or Representative

A personal visit with your Representative or Senator, either at home or in your state/federal capital can be anxiety-creating, exciting and rewarding. The following are some steps and tips to make such a visit most effective. Before your visit:

1. Make an appointment
   • By letter or by phone, for home district office or the capital office.
   • Confirm appointment by phone or mail.
   • Appointments with legislative aides are also valuable.
     
     
2. Brief yourself about your legislator
   • General extent of the district.
   • Committee assignments.
   • Number of terms served.
   • Professional background.
   • Voting record on issues of your interest.
   • Views stated publicly on issues of your interest.
     
     
3. Define the objectives of your visit
   • Is your objective to get acquainted, express general views, or discuss specific issues?
   • Limit the number of issues to be discussed.
   • Brief yourself on the facts surrounding the issue and your views on it.
   • Briefly outline your comments and/or prepare written summary.
     
     
4. Anticipate
   • Appointment may start late.
   • Legislator may be in session and unavailable. Plan to either wait, meet with staff, make new appointment, meet legislator at place of meeting.
   • Lengths of meeting may range from 10-15 minutes to an hour.
   • Going as a group has advantages, especially if representing a broad base of people and organizations.
   • Who (if a group) will be spokesperson, introduce group, guide conversation, provide summary of issue concern, etc. Assign specific roles to each participant.

While You Are There

1. Introduce yourself, giving BRIEF information on
   • Place of residence.
   • Length of residence.
   • Church membership.
   • Occupation, student status, volunteer involvements.
   • Voter/political involvement.
   • Group you are representing (if any).
   • Your experience and expertise relevant to the issue for discussion.
     
     
2. Set climate of visit
   • Be on time.
   • Be positive and friendly - not argumentative.
   • Acknowledge areas of agreement.
   • Acknowledge areas of appreciation.
     
     
3. State reason for visit
   • Be concise and specific.
   • State position and recommendation on issue.
   • Identify your position or that of group which your represent.
   • Leave a written summary of your position (if available), reference material, calling card.
   • Ask for related legislative materials; copy of bill, analysis of bill, brochures on Senate or House, etc.
     
     
4. During the conversation
   • Meet and write down names of staff person assigned your issue of concern.
   • Don't let questions or comments derail your purpose.
   • Admit you need to think more about a new point raised; ask if they will consider a written response later.
   • Ask specific questions; request specific responses
   • Explore options of attending committee meetings or hearings, visiting galleries, etc.

Know your vision

• Desired outcome
• Who needs to share it

Know your opposition

• Identify, analyze positions
• Response to it
• Neutralize

Regarding advocacy - what works? How are you influenced, motivated, changed?

What works for me?

• Measurable facts - number of people, dollars of cost, percentage of growth/decline, length of service
• See need firsthand - visual picture, experience
• Rational argument - someone who knows more than I
• Squeaky wheel - defensive to coercion and pressure, or
• Appeal to my self-interest - help me and others
• Repeated message - be redundant
• Who sends me message makes a difference - someone I know, trust, like, in authority, good reputation/prestige
• Touching anecdotal story - identify with - parables, parade, demonstration, rally.

After Your Visit

1. Debrief
   • With members of group or another person about the experience.
   • Determine possible next steps.
   • Inform others about what you learned.
     
     
2. Write letter
   • Thank legislator for visit.
   • Summarize the visit, comment on what was said by all parties present.
   • Identify follow-up steps committed by legislator and self.
   • Respond to points not addressed in visit.
   • Reiterate issue, position, and recommendations.
   • Express intention to continue dialogue.
   • Itemize names, addresses, phone numbers, etc. of all participants in visit.