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This comprehensive guide provides an overview of lobbying, including its definition and key differences from advocacy. It outlines effective strategies for meeting with legislators, including preparation tips, scheduling meetings, and professional conduct during discussions. Learn how to present your issue clearly, share personal experiences, and follow up post-meeting to maintain relationships. Understanding the legislative process and knowing your facts ensures you represent your cause effectively. Empower yourself to influence decisions and advocate for the changes you care about.
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The Lobby Visit: A How-To Guide • What is lobbying? • Attempting to influence decisions made government officials • Different from advocating, publicly supporting or opposing on an issue, or education, informing on an issue • How is it done? • Face to face meetings • Email • Phone • Constituent lobbying • Legislators are almost always very eager to win your support. • Legislators are sincerely interested in getting their constituents’ views on legislation. • Nonprofit lobbying • You are the expert on your issue – you have information that the legislator needs. • Legislators and their staff repeatedly say that the information nonprofits provide is important to their decisions
Preparation • Know the facts • Know the history • Know the legislator • Prepare material
Scheduling a Meeting • Email or call the office • Scheduler is the gate keeper! • Have several dates and times ready to offer • Provide them with: • Your name and contact info • Your organization • If you are a constituent • Specific bill or issue you want to discuss
Day of the Meeting • Dress • Business casual • Men: Button down and nice pants • Women: Nice shirt or blouse with pants or skirt, or a nice dress • Timing • Demeanor • Greeting • Information presentation • Decide who will be the primary speaker • Know with whom you are meeting • Meetings with staffers are just as important!
The Meeting The mission of the Secular Coalition for America is to increase the visibility of and respect for nontheistic viewpoints in the United States, and to protect and strengthen the secular character of our government as the best guarantee of freedom for all. • Open with a thank you • Introduce the Secular Coalition and its mission • Ask if they are familiar with terms like “humanist,” “atheist,” or “secular” • The reason why I wanted to meet with you today… • Share personal experiences • Ask if they have any questions • Thank them again • Be professional and courteous
Follow Up • Thank you note • No more than two days later • Email is acceptable • Update if there is movement on your bill or issue • Keep up the relationship • Send any information you come across that they might find relevant their way • Become a resource they can rely on
Preparation for Today Religiously Unaffiliated Voter Fact Sheet
Preparation for Today School Vouchers • Lobby Sheet • Politico Story
Preparation for Today Tax Reform • Lobby Sheet • Issue Statement • Tax Reform Comments
Preparation for Today Military • Issue Statement • Atlantic Story on Chaplains
Preparation for Today Climate Change • Issue Statement • Lobby Sheet
Practice • Sit with your group at lunch • Take turns being the staffer and yourself and practice the meeting • Relax and remember its just a conversation talking about what you care about