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How to Lobby and What to Expect on Capitol Hill

How to Lobby and What to Expect on Capitol Hill . By: Danielle LeClair, LIUNA PED March 19, 2013 PED Federal Employee Lobby Day Training. Overview. What is lobbying – fact from fiction What to do before the meeting – preparation What to expect Who you’ll meet with

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How to Lobby and What to Expect on Capitol Hill

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  1. How to Lobby and What to Expect on Capitol Hill By: Danielle LeClair, LIUNA PED March 19, 2013 PED Federal Employee Lobby Day Training

  2. Overview • What is lobbying – fact from fiction • What to do before the meeting – preparation • What to expect • Who you’ll meet with • What to do when you lobby • Do’s and Don’ts • Follow up

  3. What does lobbying look like?

  4. Who is a Lobbyist? • YOU ARE! • Citizen lobbyists (aka regular people) • Anyone who tries to influence legislation on behalf of a particular interest • Some professional lobbyists; some lobby for the first time

  5. Meeting – who? • Maybe the Congressperson • Often the staff • Ask if it’s ok to take a photo with your group – especially if you meet with the Congressperson or Senator

  6. Congressional Staff • House – 8 in DC • Senate – 20-30 in DC • Committee vs. Personal Staff • Large # of issues to handle • Often better informed than the Congressperson • Positions – various ages/experience levels • Chief of Staff/AA • LD • LA • LC • Staff Assistant

  7. Team Project – Flip Chart • Team 1 – What do you do before meeting with your Congressperson? Locals 2132, 792, 29F, 117 • Team 2 – What do you do during the meeting? Locals 2163, 1636 • Team 3 – Lobbying Do’s – Locals1029, 1050 • Team 4 – Lobbying Don’ts – Locals 1707, 2097, 1671 • Team 5 – What do you do after the meeting? Locals 572, 1708, 1655

  8. Team 1 - What to do before the meeting with your Congressperson? • Review your handouts/ Know your issues • Practice lobbying • Pick a “lead” spokesperson and a note-taker • Have Lobby Day visit form ready to fill out • Find out the Member’s position on the bill • Cosponsor/supporter? • Opponent? • Have your ORANGE folders/handouts ready for the Member/staff • Know where the Members’ office is and get there early! • Give yourself 30 minutes to get into the building (security, confusing buildings, etc) • But not TOO early…

  9. Team 2 - What to expect during the meeting • Give the Member/staff the Orange packet and show them what is in it – including reception invite • Introduce LIUNA and yourself • Tell them why you are there - Talk about how sequestration affects you, your family, and your community • Hold them accountable – ask their position on your issue • Give them a reason to care about your issue • i.e. Sequestration harms the whole community • Harms national security, health care, etc. • Be able to communicate your message in 5 minutes if needed (but probably have 30-60 minutes) • Stick to Federal Employee issues - Member/staff might want to talk about other issues – immigration, Davis-Bacon, etc. • Say someone will get back to them on other issue and note on Lobby Visit Form

  10. Team 3 - Lobbying Do’s • Give them the packet • Tell them why you are there • Hold them accountable • Be patient • Be flexible • Be respectful but don’t let the Member/staffer run the entire meeting • Be brief – summarize the important points • Give them a business card/your contact information • Get the staffer’s business card – follow up • Be on time!!! Or call if you’re running late • Be polite – thank the Member/staff for their time • Take notes on each meeting and report back to LIUNA for follow up • Say “I don’t know” if that’s the answer to the question • Be accurate

  11. Team 4 - Lobbying Don’ts • DON’T: be technical/use technical terms (or abbreviations) – i.e. TAG, GS/WG, etc. • DON’T: assume the Member/staffer knows what your job is and what the laws are • DON’T: lie/stretch the truth • DON’T: read the fact sheets word for word – summarize the highlights • DON’T: argue with the Member/staffer – EVER • DON’T: discuss issues other than what you are trained on today (i.e. immigration) • DON’T: talk about campaign contributions/the election

  12. Team 5 – What do you do after the meeting? • Check back with the staffer about bill/issue status when you get home • Send a thank-you note to the Member/staffer for the meeting • Check the status of the bill: • http://thomas.loc.gov Enter bill # • Engage your Members at home • Publicize your Lobby Day activities • Union newsletter/website/Facebook/Twitter • Have a Lobby Day in your district on the legislation this Spring/Summer • Thank them publicly if they take the requested action

  13. Conclusion • Members/staff are people, too! • But busy people • Be prepared • Be brief • Be confident • Follow up

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