1

Engaging Decision Makers Through Grasstops OutreachEnhancing Our Ability to Create Political Will

2

Engaging Decision Makers

Constituents

Staff

Colleagues

Media

Paid Lobbyists

Experts

Personal History

3

Engaging Decision Makers

Constituents

Action Network R Advocates Grasstops

4

What the Heck is Grasstops?

“..mobilizing influential leaders in each community who can reach lawmakers at the federal, state and local levels, with facts tailored to their district's interests.” —PR Quarterly“The companies specialize in a cutting-edge form of influence peddling called "grass tops," which attempts to get prominent local citizens and organizations to lobby on behalf of interest groups.” –Washington Post

5

GrasstopsPeople with more influence than the average residentThey could be: business owners, issue experts, heads of departments, other government leaders, people with money, academics, local celebrities, relatives, party supporters, faith leaders, and othersThey aren’t necessarily group members, but people we cultivate to take key actions on our behalf

6

What Can Grasstops Do?

Open doors for meetingsShape public opinionBuild the local groupGet decision makers to take actionMobilize donorsCreate persuasive pressureGenerate media coverage

7

How Does One Engage Grasstops?

Through our existing connections and those of friends, family, colleaguesBecoming part of leadership groups (Rotary and other service groups)Commenting on something they have doneAttending community events and public meetingsCold callsOther ideas:

8

Why Would They Want to Help?

People like to use their positions for goodThey care about the issues as much as many othersYou provide them with an opportunity to leverage who they areYou appreciate what they doThey see that they can really make a difference

9

Who Did You Engage & How?

Bob Dickerson, Seattle WABeth Wilson, Gig Harbor WARoxanne Allen & Sandra Duckert, Albuquerque NMDavid Schubert, Houston, TXMargaret Smith Dallas, TXFrances Moore, Omaha NEEloise Sutherland, Austin TX

10

Exercise: Who Will I Engage?

Mapping to your member of CongressMapping to you

11

Key Engagement Questions

Could you help me make a connection?Who do you think would care about this?Who do you know that might help me get the Rep’s or Senator’s attention?Would you be willing to recommend that people get involved with us?

12

Exercise #2: The Dialogue

Find one person on your grasstops list you want to engage and practice the conversation you’ll have with him/her.

13

What Did We Learn