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The 3 C’s of Testifying: Be C lear, C oncise and C ompelling

The 3 C’s of Testifying: Be C lear, C oncise and C ompelling. Marie Sullivan, Director of Governmental Relations NOVEMBER 21, 2013. The Legislature: Hearings. A bill requires a public hearing before a Senate or House committee Rules can be suspended

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The 3 C’s of Testifying: Be C lear, C oncise and C ompelling

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  1. The 3 C’s of Testifying:Be Clear, Concise and Compelling Marie Sullivan, Director of Governmental Relations NOVEMBER 21, 2013

  2. The Legislature: Hearings • A bill requires a public hearing before a Senate or House committee • Rules can be suspended • Anyone can provide input by live testimony or in writing • Hearings are informal – rules set by the body and the chair • Televised and taped by TVW

  3. The Legislature: Hearings (cont.) • The issues that compel us to testify are diverse • The same goes for the way individuals choose to testify • However, it is critical that the information offered in your testimony is accurate, consistent, clear and relevant • Important to know whether policy or fiscal issues, committees

  4. The First ‘C’: Clear • Clear means simple, easy to understand language • Avoid jargon or acronyms, or internal organizational, operation or technical language • NEVER read your testimony, particularly if you are going to hand out prepared remarks

  5. The First ‘C’: Clear (cont.) • Clear includes an opening, a few key points, and a close • Opening • Addresses the Committee Chair and members • State your name and school district. “I am here to speak (in favor or opposition) on (the bill number and subject).”

  6. The First ‘C’: Clear (cont.) • Key Points • The most important bits of information • State your position • Why you hold the position

  7. The First ‘C’: Clear (cont.) • Ending • Always has a clear statement of what you want Committee to do or know • Always offer to answer questions BUT … be prepared to say you don’t know and follow up

  8. When using a PowerPoint…

  9. The Second ‘C’: Concise • The best testimony is brief and to the point • Testimony is frequently limited to 3 minutes or less • Be ready to revise for less time – 30 seconds! • With presentations, verify how much time you’ll have to speak • Cut that in half • Use Power Point slides to show data and illustrate a point if necessary

  10. The Second ‘C’: Concise (cont.) • If you need to get on the record, be brief and let them know you’ll be following up with written testimony • The reason you follow up is to get something in the bill report that committee staff are writing

  11. The Second ‘C’: Concise (cont.) • Don’t repeat what someone else has said BUT … • You can say you agree with previous testimony and add anything new if necessary

  12. The Second ‘C’: Concise (cont.) • If you’re asked a question, answer it quickly and clearly • If you don’t know, say you don’t know but will get back to them • Make sure to follow up • It is usually best to send the information to staff. They will share with committee members

  13. The Third ‘C’: Compelling • The point is to make the testimony “real” to the legislators, staff and audience hearing you • Localize and humanize issues • Be prepared to give an example from the chair’s district or, • From the district of a legislator who is opposed to your issue

  14. The Third ‘C’: Compelling (cont.) • Use stories of staff, teachers and students to illustrate your point or emphasize testimony • Know your audience and recognize what others might be saying • Be prepared to diplomatically answer questions about testimony that might be in conflict with yours, or opinions that might be different

  15. The Third ‘C’: Compelling (cont.) • Be visual when appropriate • Charts, graphs, maps, etc. are great – as long as they don’t need thousands of words of explanation • The picture should tell the story, quickly and clearly • A prop can help you make your case • Use humor judiciously

  16. Finally… • When testifying against a bill or with concerns, always make time to check in with the bill sponsor BEFORE the hearing.

  17. Preparing Testimony Project • Testimony work sheet (8 minutes) • Read HB 1412 – Community Service • Jot down notes based on the questions in the worksheet • Pick a position and draft your supporting arguments or evidence • Table discussion (10 minutes) • Discuss the bill, your responses, arguments • Pick 2 volunteers to offer testimony to our panel • Plan for no more than 2 minutes of testimony • Write testimony (10 minutes) • Working together, draft the testimony • Remember 3 Cs – Clear, Concise, Compelling

  18. Save the Date! January 26-27, 2014 Legislative Conference Day on the Hill Registration Open Now! Sponsored by: WSSDA/WASA/WASBO

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