grassroots: effective strategies for influencing public policy national pawnbrokers association july...
TRANSCRIPT
Grassroots: Effective Strategies for Influencing Public Policy
National Pawnbrokers AssociationJuly 8, 2008
Here’s what we’ll cover:
Developing a legislative agendaParticipating in town halls
Site visitsOffice meetings
Committee hearings & work sessionsLetters & e-mail
Telephone communicationsUsing the media
The All-purpose Agenda
• Develop a broad policy statement
• Develop priority talking points– Provide options for individuals– Legal Reform
• Consider how your agenda translates to each arena in which you work (local, federal, state)
The All-purpose Agenda“The Anywhere Organization believes that
adequate and affordable health care is important to all citizens. To ensure our member companies can offer the best possible options to their employees, we encourage…”– Greater options for individuals to choose the coverage
that best meets individual needs and circumstances.– Efforts to make health care affordable to small
businesses and the self-employed.– Medical malpractice and other legal reforms that will
make health care more affordable and accessible.
Participating in town halls
• Be prepared
– Know bill numbers
– Research legislator’s position
• Conveying your message
– Use examples
Site Tours
• Securing an appointment
• Setting the agenda
• Preparing pre-visit materials
• Effective Follow-up strategies
• Media
Office Meetings• Securing an appointment• Time sensitivities• Preparing a fact sheet• Personal experience stories• Group size• Follow-up activities• Building relationships with personal
staff
Committee Hearings
• Building relationships with committee staff
• Work sessions vs. public hearings
• Delivery of testimony
• Appropriate use of handouts
• Effective follow-up strategies
Advocacy Letters & E-mails
• Addressing Correspondence
• Constructing an effective advocacy letter
• Who should receive your letter?
Telephone Calls
• Know who you are calling
• Be prepared!
• Explain your position in a concise manner
• Ask for a commitment
Print Media• Editorial Board meetings• Opinion/Editorials
– Facts and personal stories• Effectively using letters to the editor
– Timeliness– Flexibility
• Press Releases• The value of getting to know “beat”
reporters
Electronic Media
• You are prepared!
• Limit your comments to no more than three points
• Stick to short sentences
• Use numbers sparingly
• Look the interviewer squarely in the face
• Relax!
A few closing thoughts . . .
• Be honest, build trust
• Make sure facts are accurate
• Speak in positive terms
• Choose your words with care
• Cultivate unlikely champions
• Listen carefully
• Maintain realistic expectations
• Relax and have fun!
