a voice for volunteers: the legislative process and you! © 2012 ledge counsel, inc
TRANSCRIPT
A Voice For Volunteers:A Voice For Volunteers:
The Legislative Process The Legislative Process and YOU!and YOU!
© 2012 Ledge Counsel, Inc.
What’s At Stake?
© 2012 Ledge Counsel, Inc.
Training ObjectivesNSCA goals and national issuesYour role as a Voice for Senior VolunteersBehind the scenes look at how the legislative process worksThe importance of legislative staffHow you can develop effective relationships with elected officialsAdvocacy can be FUN!FUN!
© 2012 Ledge Counsel, Inc.
Bill of Rights - Amendment I
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances
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What Is Advocacy?
To speak up, to plead the case of another, or to champion a cause
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FACE TIME
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What Is GrassTops Advocacy?
An attempt to encourage experts connected in a field to communicate with a member or staff person of a legislative body
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What Is An Advocacy Network?
An on-going, organized system of recruiting, training and motivating individuals to utilize their political power to influence legislation
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Advocacy Network
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2 Types of Advocates in Advocacy Networks
Personal: “broad based” grassroots network places the emphasis on getting as many participants as possible
Professional: “grasstops” programs, place greater emphasis on the “quality” of the relationship between participants and the legislator
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The Congressional Budget Process
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What was that???
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Budget Process: Simplified
President Submits A Budget (1st Monday in February)
Congress Considers Budget Resolution
Reconciliation Instructions to Committees/Allocations of Funding
Reconciliation Enacted
Appropriations Enacted
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How Our Laws Are MadeMembers of CongressFormed into CommitteesIntroducing BillsWhich are referred to Committee for hearings and “consideration”Reported from CommitteesConsidered by the House and Senate“Conferenced”Passed AGAINSigned into law (or vetoed)
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Authorization versus appropriations
Authorization – statutory authority establishing or continuing operation of a federal agency or program and “authorizing the appropriation” of funds to carry out the activity
Appropriation – annual, discretionary funding for programs (i.e. Early Head Start, child care programs)
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Key Committees
Senate HELP/House Education & the WorkforceKennedy Serve America ActOlder Americans ActK-12 EducationCommunity Services Block Grant
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Key Committees
Budget
Appropriations
EVERYTHING!
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Roles of Committee Staff
Staff Director
General Counsel
Professional Staff Members
Administrative Staff
“Clerks”
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Committee Staff Influence
Investigate a matter of public policy thoroughlyEstablish a record justifying legislative actionCraft legislative remedies to public issuesProvide logistical support for the legislative effort
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Roles of Personal Office Staff
Administrative assistant (AA) (usually called the “Chief of Staff” now)Legislative director (LD)Legislative assistant (LA) who handles…SchedulerLegislative correspondent (LC)Staff assistant
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Congressional Staff Influence
The top priority for Hill staffers is finding information localized by state and district that helps them do their jobs as well as helps their bosses succeed
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Why Me?
Constituents Matter
Practical Experience and Expertise
A link to the State/District
Why Washington Matters
Friends and Family: Trusted Voice
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How Do I Connect?
KNOW YOUR
AUDIENCE!
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Forms of Advocacy
Telephone calls
Letters
Visits by elected officials
Visits to elected officials
Opinion-editorials (op-ed)
Electronic mail
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Legislators Top Three Influences
1. Face-to-face meetings
2. Written letters/emails
3. Telephone calls
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Writing Letters
Be sure to include return address on letterBe accurate – facts and statsState your reason up frontAsk member to explain positionConsider timing – is the bill in committee? Thank your elected officials
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Why Write Elected Officials?
Congress received four times more communications in 2004 than 1995—all of the increase from Internet-based communications (200 million pieces)
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Why Call Elected Officials?
Congress now receives more than 6 million calls a year
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Telephone Calls.
Direct call to a specific person (LA)
Decide to call DC, or district office
Keep your message short – talking points
Ask for a follow-up, Member’s stance
Identify the issue, give the bill number
State your support or concern for issue
In time, get direct lines from staff person
Thank staff person or member
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Why Visit Elected Officials?
Gives elected officials an opportunity to know you personally
Educate him or her about the role of organized senior volunteers
Put a human face on legislation or issue that may impact program
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Site Visits byElected Officials
Scheduling – extend invite during a personal meeting or through a letter
Visit logistics – educate parents, staff about elected officials, key issues and goals
Conducting visits – stay on time
Following your visits – write a thank-you note to elected officials
Be political, not partisan
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Other Projects
Attend “town hall” meetings
Host a tour or special events
Reach out to local mass media, business & community
Organize a state capitol hill day
Organize an advocacy advisory group
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Delivering Your Message
Select the best communication tool
Craft your message
Identify yourself
Be specific
Prioritize your requests
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Delivering Your Message (cont.)
Offer to be a resource
Tell the truth
Do not vilify your opponents
Do not discuss the campaign
Be polite, be patient, and follow up
© 2012 Ledge Counsel, Inc.
From the Congressional Management
Foundation
1. Quality is more persuasive than quantity
2. The organization behind a grassroots campaign matters
3. Grassroots organizations should develop a better understanding of Congress
4. There is a difference between being noticed and having an impact
© 2012 Ledge Counsel, Inc.
What do we need?
Your commitmentYour commitment
Your supportYour support
A little of your timeA little of your time
Feedback and FollowupFeedback and Followup
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Final thoughts
America is not governed America is not governed by the majority. It is by the majority. It is governed by the majority governed by the majority who choose to register, who choose to register, vote and participate in the vote and participate in the political processpolitical process
© 2012 Ledge Counsel, Inc.
© 2012 Ledge Counsel, Inc.