Charting the Course : How do you manage an effective advocacy campaign and steer clear of prohibited lobbying and political activities?

October 9,2012

Susan Reinhard, PhD, RN, FAANSenior Vice President & Director, AARP Public Policy Institute; Chief Strategist, Center to Champion Nursing in America

www.campaignforaction.org/webinars

Campaign for Action Pillars

Advancing Education Transformation

Removing Barriers to Practice and Care

Nursing Leadership

DATA

Interprofessional Collaboration

Diversity

www.campaingforaction.org

Community

AARP and Advocacy

• Campaign is coordinated through the Center to Champion Nursing in America, an initiative of AARP, the AARP Foundation, and RWJF– AARP by itself is able to fully engage in policy and advocacy such

as: • CMS - Graduate Nurse Education Demonstration (GNE)• AARP State Office Support

Susan B. Hassmiller, PhD, RN, FAAN,RWJF Senior Advisor for Nursing andDirector, Future of Nursing: Campaign for Action

Engaging Lawmakers

Lawmakers benefit when you:• Tell them about health and health

care concerns in their states and districts

• Share your solutions• Show how nurses can expand

access, improve quality and contain costs

We need to build relationships!

But RWJF cannot provide funds or resources to

Engage in direct or grassroots lobbying activities

Political campaign intervention

Kristen Gurdin, RWJF legal counsel

Charting the Course: Managing Effective Advocacy and Steering Clear

of Prohibited ActivitiesKristen Gurdin, Counsel Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

ACs Campaign for Action Rules

• ACs are free to engage in direct lobbying, grassroots lobbying and political campaign activity without RWJF/CCNA funds and resources.

Requirements for all ACs If ACs and their members plan to lobby or conduct political activities in a coordinated way, they must:

1. Provide advance notice to ensure proper coordination of activities

2. Include a disclaimer

3. Avoid using RWJF or CCNA funds, products, or names

Requirements for RWJF/CCNA funds/resources

• No direct lobbying

• No grassroots lobbying

• No political campaign intervention

• No description of such activities in the Campaign for Action community unless appropriate clarifications are used

Why Do We Care?

2 Flavors of Charities - subject to different rules:

Public Charities

Private Foundations

Where are the lines?

1. DIRECT LOBBYING2. GRASSROOTS LOBBYING3. POLITICAL ACTIVITIES

DIRECT LOBBYING

1. DIRECT COMMUNICATION WITH LEGISLATOR/GOVT. OFFICIAL

2. REFERS TO LEGISLATION3. REFLECTS A VIEW ON LEGISLATION

GRASSROOTS LOBBYING1. COMMUNICATE WITH GENERAL PUBLIC2. REFER TO LEGISLATION3. REFLECT A VIEW4. TELL THE PUBLIC WHAT TO DO

( A CALL TO ACTION)

CALL TO ACTION

1.Ask audience to contact the legislator.

2.Provide contact information for legislator.

3.Provide a vehicle for contacting the legislator (form email, petition).

4.Identify legislator as supporting, opposing, being undecided or on the voting committee.

5.Identify the audience’s legislative representative.

Examples• Call to Action on AC Letterhead• AC Event with elected officials in

audience• AC guide on voting records• AC petition campaign• AC legislative testimony• AC technical assistance with bill

drafting

3 Exceptions

1. Refer to a ballot initiative and reflect a view.2. Pay for a mass media ad within 2 weeks of

a vote that:(1) reflects a view on the legislation

and (2) either refers to legislation or

encourages the public to communicate with legislators on the subject of the legislation.

3. Use nonlobbying materials for grassroots lobbying within 6 months of creation.

Can We Do It? 4 Key Questions

• Audience? Who are we trying to reach? • Topic? What is discussed? • Message? What is the ask or takeaway? • Means? How will we deliver the

message?

Advocacy Tools for Engaging Policymakers

1.Educational Meetings/Discussions on Broad Social Issues

2.Regulations & Regulatory Bodies3.Site Visits & Case Studies4.Enforcement of Existing Laws5.Invited Technical Assistance6.Nonpartisan Research & Analysis7.Jointly-Funded Programs with

Governmental Bodies

NONPARTISAN RESEARCH & ANALYSIS

1. Discussion that allows audience to form an independent opinion.

2. Broadly distributed.

3. No direct calls to action.

Toolkit Examples:Nonpartisan Research

No Calls to Action

REQUESTS FROM POLICYMAKERS

1. A written request from a governmental body.

2. Predates assistance.

3. Specifies assistance required.

4. Responses distributed to entire body.

Non-Legislative Asks

Advocacy Tools for Engaging the Public

1. Earned Media & Op-Eds

2. Messages Without a Call to Action or Without References to Legislation

3. Community Education

4. Stakeholder Convening

Op-Eds

Reporting on AC progress

Political Activities

• Endorsing political parties, candidates or platforms;

• Advising political candidates on platform design• Issuing or distributing statements that favor or

disparage a particular candidate• Allowing a candidate or political organization to

use AC materials• Inviting candidates to speak at AC functions • Conducting voter education activities that favor a

candidate or are focused on AC issues• Linking to candidate web sites in AC

communications

Questions?

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