the art of advocacy election strategies for advocates february 4 th

The Art of Advocacy

Election Strategies for Advocates

February 4th

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Election Strategies for Advocates

“….an election is no time to discuss important issues”** Attributed to Kim Campbell (1993 Election)

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Remember…..

Elections are one of the few times in the ongoing politician/citizen relationship when they need you more than you need them!!!!

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Important Dates…

1. Municipal Elections (Ontario) – October 2014

2. Ontario Election (Provincial) – Defeat of a Confidence Motion

3. Federal Election: October 2015 to May 2016

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Election Strategies for Advocates

Understand the Process:

• Participation Rules (CRA/Employer)• Filing dates• Contribution Limits• Public Debates/Town halls/Radio Call-Ins

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Election Strategies for Advocates

A charity may make the public aware of its position on an issue provided:

• it does not explicitly connect its views to any political �party or candidate for public office

• the issue is connected to its purpose�• its views are based on a well-reasoned position• public awareness campaigns do not become the charity’s �

primary activity

See Customs and Revenue Act (CRA) for guidelines for Registered Charity Advocacy

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Election Arithmetic….

What level of support do you need from a voting age population of 10,000 to win an election?

Provincial

(49.2%) - 30/30/5 = 1500

Municipal (39%)

Federal (61%)

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Define What Success Looks Like…

Influence Debate Affect Outcome

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Election Strategies for Advocates

• Define you “ask” and build consensus• Prepare fact sheets • Develop Key Messages (Common Song

Sheets)• Implement Intervention strategy(s)• Mitigate Pushback

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Election Strategies for Advocates

Know the history (Landscape) of the constituency and who is running (Players)

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Election Strategies for Advocates

Know the Issues:

1. Economic

2. Social

3. Environmental

Understand the Constraints:

a) No Money

b) Aversion to Tax Increases

For next election cycle, More for Less will be a resonating theme!!!

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Election Strategies for Advocates

Think like a Politician…

• Money• Many• Issue Briefings• Photo-Ops• Events (RECOGNIZE Them!!!!)

Monitor Websites to get Schedule Information

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Election Strategies for Advocates

Use Earned Media:

• Letters to the Editor• Opinion Pieces (Credibility)• Event Coverage• Social Media

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Dealing with Candidates

Always identify yourself in a clear and

detailed manner.

Politicians are trained to act like they know, and remember, everyone. Take the time up front to tell them who you are, what you do, etc.!

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Dealing with Candidates

State a CLEAR objective.

If I tell you that I definitely want to be helpful, I am really not being all that helpful!

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Dealing with Candidates

NEVER talk in antagonistic tones.

Everybody in politics is convinced that they are doing the right things for the right reasons!

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Dealing with Candidates

Try to describe your issue in a comprehensive way.

Issues that are “black & white” from your perspective, may be “grey” from the politician’s perspective. They will always anticipate the “push back”!

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Dealing with Candidates

Refer to bill numbers, clause paragraph references or unfamiliar acronyms

A politician will rarely admit that they don’t know something!

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Dealing with Candidates

Give them “not completely correct

information”.

Public policy is about finding balance points, the easy decisions have been made!

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Election Strategies for Advocates

Evaluate your strategy on an ongoing basis, adjust to unforeseen threats and be prepared to exploit unexpected opportunities.

The “Ballot Box Question” is rarely known until the last quarter of a campaign!

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To Conclude…

Contrary to the old English Idiom…