The Michigan League for Public Policy educates and advocates for policies that support economic security so all Michigan citizens can have economic opportunities. We do this through research and analysis and recently celebrated our 100th year of research and advocacy.
The League was formerly known as the MLHS and changed its name to more accurately reflect our work and end confusion with the similarly named DHS.
What is advocacy?
Advocacy is the tool citizens use In our democracy to bring about improvements.
Advocacy Toolkit
www.mlpp.org
• What do we want and who can give it to us?
• Who should deliver the message?
• What are your assets and what resources are missing?
Where to Begin
What You Need to Know
• Learn the process
• Federal bills and the budget process: http://thomas.loc.gov
• State bills and budgets: www.legislature.mi.gov http://house.michigan.gov/hfa/ http://senate.michigan.gov/sfa/
• Voting record: http://votesmart.org/
• The Clock is Ticking – Session
• Always Looking for a Majority
• Two-party System – Majority in Power
• Bi-Cameral Legislature
The Senate – 38/20
The House of Representatives – 110/56
• The Governor
Civics 101
• 2500: Different piece of legislation to be considered EACH YEAR
• 10-20%: Voters who contact elected officials
• 12: Phone calls needed to get attention
• 5-20: Enough to start or stop a discussion
Four Critical Numbers
• Introduced in House or Senate
• Bill referred to committee
• Budget bills automatically referred to appropriations
• Hearings/Public Comment
• Committee - Vote/Passes• 1st Chamber –
Vote/Passes• Referred back to
committee in 2nd Chamber
• 2nd Chamber – Vote/Passes
• Sent to Governor
How a Bill Begins Law
Advocacy Tools
• Write – Call – Visit
• Building a relationshipo Legislative recess
• Michigan League
“When you need a friend, it’s too late to make one.”
Mark Twain
Voices Leadership Training Michigan's Children
Cat Frame
Cat
FurAffection
Costliness
Sneezing
Shedding
Kitty LitterCleanliness
Cat Food
Vets
Policy
Value
Barrier
Ask
Vision
Reflect the values of your audience. Make them nod back a you in agreement
Message Box
Your response when your audience says, “Yeah, but…”
(a.k.a. Overcome the barrier)
What one, specific thing do you want them to do?
So what? What the world will look like if your audience does what you want them to do. Reflects their values.
Revenue Crisis
Message Box
Value
Vision Barrier
Ask
We all want to live in a Michigan we can be proud
of, and that means one that invests in our future.
If we don’t make the choice to re-invest in schools, roads, etc. for our future, they
will crumble
By putting people first, we can ensure our state remains a great place to live, work and play for generations to come.
Make budget decisions that keep Michigan’s promise by investing in the things that have made our state great.
Be pr
epar
ed
Relationsh
ips
are cr
itical
Work w
ith
partners
Media:
Importance of
Stories
Tips
Testimonials
Letter to the Editor
Personal Letter
Social Media
Visits Legislator
Press Conference
Phone Call
EmailContacts
Advocates
Champions
Champions…
• Are highly committed to your issue
• Have a compelling personal story
• Are willing and eager to get more involved
How to have the most impact
Form emails
Form letters
Phone calls
Individualized emails
Individualized letters
In-person meetings
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
A lot of in-fluence
Some in-fluence
No influence at all
Influence of Advocacy Communications on Legisla-tors
Source: Congressional Management Foundation
• Learn if you need to be a registered lobbyist, and if you do, register to be a lobbyist and become an active participant in impacting policy decisions.
• Registration handled by the Michigan Secretary of State’s office - http://www.michigan.gov/sos/.
Know the Rules
No Nos• Nonprofits classified 501(c)(3) cannot endorse. contribute to, coordinate with, or align in any way with candidates or political parties
• Nonprofits may not lobby using government funds.
When in doubt…• As an individual, you are entitled to engage in unlimited lobbying and political activity, provided you do so on your own time without using nonprofit corporate.
You have the power!
… Conscience asks the question "Is it right?" And there comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular, but he must do it because Conscience tells him it is right.”
-- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has”
-- Margaret Mead
Thank You!
[email protected]: www.mlpp.org
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Michigan League for Public Policy1223 Turner Street, Suite G-1
Lansing, Michigan 48906-4369Phone: (517) 487-5436