Tips for Walkers: Register online. Fundraise online. 10 Easy Steps to Success Online Registration and Fundraising: Photo Tips. Uploading and resizing your photos …
GENERAL TIPS FOR ADVOCACY
Be gracious Always begin by thanking the legislator for providing the
opportunity to hear your ideas, opinions etc Legislators who support
adolescent reproductive and sexual health, in particular, receive a lot of
negative attention from the opposition A sincere thank you will be
greatly appreciated
Be professional Be professional in both dress and manner; dont say
negative things about other legislators or public figures
Be focused Stick with one issue per call or letter Information about more
than one topic will only confuse the message and dilute your point
Do your homework As part of your preparation, research the legislators
position on your issue You can find out through voting records, speeches,
newspaper articles, debates and other organizations that work on this area
Advocacy organizations, particularly those with Political Action Committees
often track legislators votes and can provide voting guides Explore the
legislators personal connections with the issue: do they have teenagers
themselves? Frame the presentation for maximum effectiveness based on your
knowledge about the legislators constituency, views, background and
interests
Different arguments are compelling for different people; use the
most persuasive argument for this person It might help to role-play what
you want to say at the meeting and practice responses to possible comments
Make a personal connection No matter how insignificant you may feel it is,
if you have friends, relatives and/or colleagues in common, let the
legislator know In particular, let the legislator know if you are a
constituent The legislative process can be very informal and, although a
personal connection makes no difference in your presentation, it may make a
difference in your effectiveness
Consider yourself an information source Legislators have limited time,
staff and interest in any one issue They cant be as informed as theyd
like to be on all issues- or on the ones that concern you You can fill in
the information gap Encourage the policy maker to ask questions about the
program or the issue
Tell the truth There is no faster way to lose your credibility than to
give false or misleading information to a legislator
Know who else is on your side It is helpful for a legislator to know what
other groups, individuals, state agencies and/or legislators are working
with you
on an issue Providing this information also illustrates that your
group represents many more voters Bring coalition members and young people
with you on lobbying efforts It is also important to keep in touch with
your allies so that advocacy efforts are coordinated and relevant
information is shared
Know the opposition Anticipate who the opposition will be, both
organizations and individuals Tell the legislator what opposition
arguments are likely to be and provide clarifications and rebuttals The
ability to anticipate criticism and defend your position will make a
difference
Dont be afraid to admit that you dont know something If a legislator
wants information that you dont have or asks you something that you dont
know, tell them the truth Then, offer to get the information that they are
looking for and make sure to get back to them with it
Be specific in what you ask for If you want a vote, information, answers
to a question, signature or petition; whatever it is make sure that you ask
directly and get an answer
Dont burn bridges It is easy to get emotional over issues that you
feel strongly about Thats fine, but be sure that you leave your
relationship with the legislator
on good enough terms that you can return
to them on that or another issue Dont get into a heated argument with a
legislator, and never threaten them Your strongest opponent on one issue
may be a great proponent on another
Follow up It is very important to find out if the legislator did what they
said they would do Send a thank you letter after your conversation,
restating your position It is also very important that you thank the
legislator for a supportive vote; or ask for an explanation for an
unsupportive vote
Stay informed Legislation changes status quickly and often Amendments or
other committee actions can radically change the effect of a bill without
receiving much publicity The sponsor or legislatures research office can
help identify where in the process the bill is currently located and what
its current language is
Remember, youre the boss Your tax dollars pay legislators salaries, pay
for the paper that they write on and for the phones that they use You are
the employer and they are the employees Be courteous, but dont be
intimidated They are responsible to you and, nine times out of ten,
legislators are grateful for your input
Taken
directly from:
ADVOCATES FOR YOUTH
Advocacy Kit
http://wwwadvocatesforyouthorg/publications/advocacykitpdf
