Grassroots Legislative Training

National Active and Retired Federal National Active and Retired Federal Employees AssociationEmployees Association

WashingtonWashingtonBy By

Dan AdcockDan Adcock

Assistant Legislative DirectorAssistant Legislative Director

Advocacy: The Big Picture

All Politics Are LocalAll Politics Are Local Appreciating Grassroots CloutAppreciating Grassroots Clout

How Laws Are Really MadeHow Laws Are Really Made Building RapportBuilding Rapport

Talking the Path of Least ResistanceTalking the Path of Least Resistance Strength in NumbersStrength in Numbers

Fundamentals of NegotiationFundamentals of Negotiation PersistencePersistence

All Politics Are Local

Over-estimation of Lobbyists’ cloutOver-estimation of Lobbyists’ clout Under appreciation of grassroots cloutUnder appreciation of grassroots clout You have the power.You have the power. You decided whether they stay or go.You decided whether they stay or go. Rank-and-File Members need to understand Rank-and-File Members need to understand

this too.this too.

Is This How Laws Are Made?

Or Is This How Laws Are Made?

Has this guy ever heard from a NARFE federation officer?

How many letters has this woman’s boss received on GPO/WEP?

A chapter legislative officer talks to this man on a regular basis.

How Laws Are Made:

Everyone Should Know This.

But this shows the importance of building rapport with lawmakers & staff.

Taking the path of least resistance.

NO!

No Resistance Here.

Talking the Path of Least Resistance.

YES!

Or making it hard to say NO.

Fundamentals of Negotiating

Biggest Mistake: Taking NO for an Biggest Mistake: Taking NO for an answer.answer.

NO only means NO now, it does not mean NO only means NO now, it does not mean NO three months, six months or a year from NO three months, six months or a year from now.now.

Step-By-Step Grassroots Advocacy

EducationEducation

Meeting with Your LawmakerMeeting with Your Lawmaker

Rank-and-File Letters/Calls to LawmakersRank-and-File Letters/Calls to Lawmakers

Action AlertsAction Alerts

Local Coalition BuildingLocal Coalition Building

Education

You can’t persuade your lawmaker on the merits You can’t persuade your lawmaker on the merits of our bills if you don’t know them yourself.of our bills if you don’t know them yourself.

Educate yourself!Educate yourself! Issue Briefs and Fact SheetsIssue Briefs and Fact Sheets NARFE Web PageNARFE Web Page Washington NewsletterWashington Newsletter NARFE MagazineNARFE Magazine Legislative HotlineLegislative Hotline Call 703/838-7760 or E-Mail Call 703/838-7760 or E-Mail leg@narfe.orgleg@narfe.org us. us.

Preparing to Meet With Your Lawmaker

Make an Appointment:Make an Appointment: Chapters Call District Office SchedulerChapters Call District Office Scheduler Federation Call State Office SchedulerFederation Call State Office Scheduler Follow-Up To Check Status of RequestFollow-Up To Check Status of Request

Timing:Timing: Prime Time: Congressional RecessesPrime Time: Congressional Recesses Call Well in Advance of RecessCall Well in Advance of Recess MLK, Presidents, Easter/Passover, Memorial, 4MLK, Presidents, Easter/Passover, Memorial, 4thth

of July, August/Labor Day.of July, August/Labor Day.

Preparing to Meet With Your Lawmaker

Be FlexibleBe Flexible Work Around Your Lawmaker’s Schedule.Work Around Your Lawmaker’s Schedule.

Troubleshooting:Troubleshooting: Get Help from a 3Get Help from a 3rdrd Party Party

Campaign WorkersCampaign Workers Party ActivistsParty Activists A Friend of the lawmaker from high school, A Friend of the lawmaker from high school,

college, business or community.college, business or community.

Preparing to Meet With Your Lawmaker

Meeting with StaffMeeting with Staff Not the end of the world.Not the end of the world. Staff Often Know More Than Their BossStaff Often Know More Than Their Boss They go on to do Bigger and Better They go on to do Bigger and Better

things.things. Find Out Which Staff Covers our Issues.Find Out Which Staff Covers our Issues.

Preparing to Meet With Your Lawmaker

Confirm Your AppointmentConfirm Your Appointment Call or Write to confirm appointment before Call or Write to confirm appointment before

meeting date.meeting date. Assemble A GroupAssemble A Group

Federation/Chapter Legislative Committee.Federation/Chapter Legislative Committee. Representatives from all Chapters within the Representatives from all Chapters within the

District or State.District or State. Provide Issue Briefs and Fact Sheets to Group Provide Issue Briefs and Fact Sheets to Group

Members in Advance of MeetingMembers in Advance of Meeting

Preparing to Meet With Your Lawmaker

Group Game Plan:Group Game Plan: Meet in Advance of AppointmentMeet in Advance of Appointment

Thoroughly Review and Organize Arguments Thoroughly Review and Organize Arguments for Our Bills.for Our Bills.

Discuss previous experiences with legislator Discuss previous experiences with legislator and staff.and staff.

• Have they cosponsored our bills in the Have they cosponsored our bills in the 109109thth or 108 or 108thth Congresses? Congresses?

Discuss whether your lawmaker is a member Discuss whether your lawmaker is a member of a key committee.of a key committee.

Key Committees:

House Government Reform & Senate House Government Reform & Senate Governmental Affairs:Governmental Affairs: CSRS, FERS, FEHBP, TSP, FLTCIP etc.CSRS, FERS, FEHBP, TSP, FLTCIP etc.

House Ways and Means & Senate Finance:House Ways and Means & Senate Finance: Premium Conversion, GPO/WEP, Social Premium Conversion, GPO/WEP, Social

Security, Medicare & Medicaid.Security, Medicare & Medicaid. House & Senate Budget:House & Senate Budget:

Annual Budget ResolutionAnnual Budget Resolution

Lesser Key Committees

House & Senate Appropriations:House & Senate Appropriations: Sets Discretionary SpendingSets Discretionary Spending

Annual Salary FightAnnual Salary Fight NOT Civil Service RetirementNOT Civil Service Retirement

Can Intervene with “Riders”Can Intervene with “Riders” House Energy and CommerceHouse Energy and Commerce

Medicare and MedicaidMedicare and Medicaid

Key Legislators In Washington

Ways and MeansWays and Means Rep. Jim McDermottRep. Jim McDermott

Government ReformGovernment Reform NoneNone

House BudgetHouse Budget Rep. Brian BairdRep. Brian Baird

Key Legislators In Washington

House AppropriationsHouse Appropriations Rep. Norman DicksRep. Norman Dicks

Energy and CommerceEnergy and Commerce Rep. Jay InsleeRep. Jay Inslee

Key Legislators In Washington

Senate FinanceSenate Finance Senator Maria CantwellSenator Maria Cantwell

Senate Governmental AffairsSenate Governmental Affairs NoneNone

Senate Budget & AppropriationsSenate Budget & Appropriations Senator Patty MurraySenator Patty Murray

Preparing to Meet With Your Lawmaker

Extra Fact Sheets for Your LawmakerExtra Fact Sheets for Your Lawmaker Notes:Notes:

Helps Group Keep Discussion on Track.Helps Group Keep Discussion on Track. Ask Specific Group Members to Discuss Ask Specific Group Members to Discuss

Different Points.Different Points. Focus on Top Issues:Focus on Top Issues:

Premium Conversion (H.R. 1110 & S. 773)Premium Conversion (H.R. 1110 & S. 773) GPO/WEP (H.R. 82, S. 206 & H.R. 726GPO/WEP (H.R. 82, S. 206 & H.R. 726))

Meeting With Your Lawmaker

IntroductionsIntroductions Name, Chapter Affiliation & TitleName, Chapter Affiliation & Title

Purpose of MeetingPurpose of Meeting Cosponsor premium conversion, Cosponsor premium conversion,

GPO/WEP bills.GPO/WEP bills. Ask “Lapsed” Cosponsors to Reaffirm Ask “Lapsed” Cosponsors to Reaffirm

Their Support.Their Support.

Meeting With Your Lawmaker

Beyond Cosponsoring:Beyond Cosponsoring: Ask Representatives to Urge Chairman Ask Representatives to Urge Chairman

Rangel and Ranking Member McCrery to Rangel and Ranking Member McCrery to Approve the Premium Conversion, Approve the Premium Conversion, GPO/WEP Bills.GPO/WEP Bills.

Charles Rangel (D-NY), Chairman

Jim McCrery(R-LA) Ranking Member

Meeting With Your Lawmaker

Beyond Cosponsoring:Beyond Cosponsoring: Ask Senators to Urge Chairman Baucus Ask Senators to Urge Chairman Baucus

and Ranking Member Grassley to and Ranking Member Grassley to Approve the Premium Conversion, Approve the Premium Conversion, GPO/WEP Bills.GPO/WEP Bills.

Charles Grassley (R-IA), Ranking Member

Max Baucus (D-MT), Chairman

Meeting With Your Lawmaker

Educate with Basic Facts:Educate with Basic Facts: Avoid Using Abbreviations or JargonAvoid Using Abbreviations or Jargon Assume Your Lawmakers Know NothingAssume Your Lawmakers Know Nothing Discuss Fundamentals of Our Bills.Discuss Fundamentals of Our Bills. Relate Personal Stories About the Effects Relate Personal Stories About the Effects

of Raising Premiums and GPO/WEP.of Raising Premiums and GPO/WEP.

Meeting With Your Lawmaker

Stay on Message:Stay on Message: Keep Lawmakers and Group Members Keep Lawmakers and Group Members

on Subject.on Subject. Off-Topic Issues Can Get You in Trouble Off-Topic Issues Can Get You in Trouble

(Abortion, Global Warming, Guns, etc.)(Abortion, Global Warming, Guns, etc.) Follow-Up Questions:Follow-Up Questions:

If You Don’t Know the Answer – If You Don’t Know the Answer – Provide the Correct Information Later.Provide the Correct Information Later.

Meeting With Your Lawmaker

Don’t get nasty:Don’t get nasty: Don’t get mad Don’t get mad Don’t Make ThreatsDon’t Make Threats

Be polite:Be polite: Agree to Disagree when lawmaker isn’t Agree to Disagree when lawmaker isn’t

persuaded.persuaded.

Meeting With Your Lawmaker

Try To Get a Firm CommitmentTry To Get a Firm Commitment Or Repeat Your Request with the “hope” Or Repeat Your Request with the “hope”

that they would cosponsor __________.that they would cosponsor __________. Leave Fact SheetsLeave Fact Sheets Follow-Up With A Thank You Note.Follow-Up With A Thank You Note.

Provide any Information They Provide any Information They Requested.Requested.

Meeting With Your Lawmaker

Other OpportunitiesOther Opportunities Town Hall MeetingsTown Hall Meetings

Call State or District Office for Call State or District Office for Schedule.Schedule.

FundraisersFundraisersCheck with Your NARFE-PAC Check with Your NARFE-PAC

Coordinator First.Coordinator First. Chance OccurrenceChance Occurrence

Communication From Rank-and-File Members to Lawmakers

Communication From Rank-and-File Members to Lawmakers

Large Numbers of Annuitants Are Large Numbers of Annuitants Are Meaningless Unless They Hear From Them.Meaningless Unless They Hear From Them.

If You Take The Time To Write – Then If You Take The Time To Write – Then You Take the Time to VoteYou Take the Time to Vote

Federation and Chapter Officers Must Federation and Chapter Officers Must Motivate Rank-and-File NARFE Members.Motivate Rank-and-File NARFE Members.

One of The Biggest Mistakes Chapter Officers

Only Chapter Officers Write (7) and Rank-Only Chapter Officers Write (7) and Rank-and-File Members (200) Do Not.and-File Members (200) Do Not.

That Means 96.5% of Your Grassroots That Means 96.5% of Your Grassroots Resources are Unused.Resources are Unused.

Never Going to Get 100%.Never Going to Get 100%. But What About 50%, 75% or even 90%?But What About 50%, 75% or even 90%? Maximize Our Potential GrassrootsMaximize Our Potential Grassroots

Letters to Legislators

Personal Letters

Pros:Pros: Most EffectiveMost Effective Appear To Be Spontaneous and GenuineAppear To Be Spontaneous and Genuine Not Necessarily Generated From Outside Not Necessarily Generated From Outside

Group.Group. Cons:Cons:

Members Don’t Always Take The Time Members Don’t Always Take The Time To WriteTo Write

Form Letters

Pros:Pros: Don’t Have to Write Your Own Letter.Don’t Have to Write Your Own Letter. Easy To Send Mass Mailing.Easy To Send Mass Mailing.

Cons:Cons: Organized Mailing From Outside Group.Organized Mailing From Outside Group.

How to Improve:How to Improve: Add Personal Comments.Add Personal Comments. Transcribe Text in Your Own Handwriting.Transcribe Text in Your Own Handwriting.

Petitions

Pros:Pros: NoneNone

Cons:Cons: Demonstrates Lack of Commitment on Demonstrates Lack of Commitment on

Issue.Issue. If You Are Not Willing To Write – Then If You Are Not Willing To Write – Then

You Might Not Bother Voting.You Might Not Bother Voting.

Rank-and-File Participation

Leave Nothing To Chance:Leave Nothing To Chance: Copy Enough Form Letters For Your Next Copy Enough Form Letters For Your Next

Chapter Meeting.Chapter Meeting. Have Members Sign Them and Add Their Have Members Sign Them and Add Their

Mailing Address.Mailing Address. Supply Pre-Addressed and Stamped Envelops.Supply Pre-Addressed and Stamped Envelops. Collect Them At End of Meeting.Collect Them At End of Meeting. Mail Them Yourself. Mail Them Yourself.

Mailing Instructions

Send Regular Mail to Local Offices OnlySend Regular Mail to Local Offices Only Contact Information:Contact Information:

NARFE Legislative Action CenterNARFE Legislative Action Center NARFE U.S. Congress HandbooksNARFE U.S. Congress Handbooks Blue Pages of Phone BookBlue Pages of Phone Book www.house.govwww.house.gov www.senate.govwww.senate.gov

Mailing Instructions

Faxing or E-Mailing Letters is OkayFaxing or E-Mailing Letters is Okay Mail Only To Your Own LawmakersMail Only To Your Own Lawmakers

Outside State or District Letters are:Outside State or District Letters are: TrashedTrashed Referred to Your Own LawmakerReferred to Your Own Lawmaker

Shows Why Letters From NARFE Shows Why Letters From NARFE Members Represented By Key Members Represented By Key Lawmakers are Vital.Lawmakers are Vital.

Mailing Instructions

Limit Letter to Two Subjects.Limit Letter to Two Subjects. Use Bill Numbers, If Available.Use Bill Numbers, If Available. Personalize Your LetterPersonalize Your Letter

Example: How Does GPO Affect Example: How Does GPO Affect You?You?

Finally, Be Polite, But Firm.Finally, Be Polite, But Firm.

Phone Calls to Lawmakers

Phone Calls By Rank-and-File Members to Lawmakers

Keep message simply, clear and concise:Keep message simply, clear and concise: [To Rep. [To Rep. Jim McDermottJim McDermott :] :] “I ask you “I ask you

to urge Chairman Rangel to approve to urge Chairman Rangel to approve H.R. 1110, to allow federal civilian H.R. 1110, to allow federal civilian and military retirees to pay for their and military retirees to pay for their share of health insurance premiums share of health insurance premiums with pre-tax earningswith pre-tax earnings ” ”

Phone Calls By Rank-and-File Members to Lawmakers

Capitol Hill Switchboard: 202/224-3121 or Capitol Hill Switchboard: 202/224-3121 or Toll Free at Toll Free at 1-866-220-00441-866-220-0044

Blue Pages of Phone Book: Local Office Blue Pages of Phone Book: Local Office Numbers.Numbers.

NARFE Legislative Action Center: NARFE Legislative Action Center: www.narfe.orgwww.narfe.org

NARFE U.S. Congress HandbookNARFE U.S. Congress Handbook

Action Alerts

Conference Calls with Fed PresidentsConference Calls with Fed Presidents Achieves Better CoordinationAchieves Better Coordination Underscores Importance of AlertUnderscores Importance of Alert Refresher on Grassroots BasicsRefresher on Grassroots Basics

Action Alerts

Rapid Grassroots Response Is Sometimes Rapid Grassroots Response Is Sometimes Necessary.Necessary.

No Time For Conference Call with FieldNo Time For Conference Call with Field

Short NoticeShort Notice Short Turn Around Time for Rank-and-File Short Turn Around Time for Rank-and-File

To Call or E-Mail Lawmaker.To Call or E-Mail Lawmaker.

How To Initiate An Action Alert

Instructions and Message Provided by Instructions and Message Provided by National Headquarters.National Headquarters.

Only 50,000 Members Can be Reached by Only 50,000 Members Can be Reached by E-Mail.E-Mail. Urge Your Members to Add Their E-Mail Urge Your Members to Add Their E-Mail

Address to Their Membership Record!Address to Their Membership Record! www.narfe.orgwww.narfe.org 1-800-456-84101-800-456-8410

How To Initiate An Action Alert

Reaching 350,000 Members without E-Reaching 350,000 Members without E-mail:mail: Each Chapter Should Have Either:Each Chapter Should Have Either:

Telephone Tree, orTelephone Tree, orCalling CommitteeCalling Committee

Calling Volunteers Should Be Available Calling Volunteers Should Be Available Whenever Congress is in Session.Whenever Congress is in Session.

Telephone Tree

Coalition Building

Coalition Building Isn’t Limited Coalition Building Isn’t Limited To National Level.To National Level.

State/Local Coalitions Built State/Local Coalitions Built Around State Tax Refund Court Around State Tax Refund Court Cases.Cases.

State/Local Coalition Building

Federal-Postal Employee/Retiree GroupsFederal-Postal Employee/Retiree Groups Federal Retirement & FEHBPFederal Retirement & FEHBP GPO/WEPGPO/WEP

Senior Citizens OrganizationsSenior Citizens Organizations Social SecuritySocial Security MedicareMedicare MedicaidMedicaid Long-Term CareLong-Term Care Older Americans ActOlder Americans Act

Building Local Coalitions Around Issues GPO/WEPGPO/WEP

Federal-Postal OrganizationsFederal-Postal Organizations State & Local Government Employee State & Local Government Employee

UnionsUnions Police and Firefighters’ UnionsPolice and Firefighters’ Unions Teachers’ UnionsTeachers’ Unions Some Senior Citizens’ AssociationsSome Senior Citizens’ Associations

Building Local Coalitions Around Issues Premium ConversionPremium Conversion

Federal-Postal OrganizationsFederal-Postal Organizations Military OrganizationsMilitary Organizations

Measuring Up Lawmakers & Candidates

Measuring Up Lawmakers & Candidates ““How They Voted” – Oct/Nov 2006 How They Voted” – Oct/Nov 2006

NARFE magazineNARFE magazine Legislative Action Center – Legislative Action Center – www.narfe.orgwww.narfe.org AccessAccess Leadership or Committee AssignmentsLeadership or Committee Assignments Working Behind the Scenes Working Behind the Scenes

How Not To Evaluate Candidates & Lawmakers Position on Non-NARFE IssuesPosition on Non-NARFE Issues Voting Guides by Other OrganizationsVoting Guides by Other Organizations PerceptionsPerceptions Party AffiliationParty Affiliation

Measuring Up Candidates & Lawmakers How To Use This Information:How To Use This Information:

NARFE-PACNARFE-PAC Educate Your MembersEducate Your Members NOT for EndorsementsNOT for Endorsements

Building Rapport By Getting Involved In Politics

Building Rapport By Getting Involved In Politics

NARFE is NonpartisanNARFE is Nonpartisan

But NARFE is But NARFE is NOTNOT Nonpolitical. Nonpolitical. As Long As Elected Officials Control Our As Long As Elected Officials Control Our

Benefits, NARFE will be a Political Benefits, NARFE will be a Political Organization.Organization.

Building Rapport By Getting Involved In Local Politics

Politicians Remember Their FriendsPoliticians Remember Their Friends Who Are Their Friends?Who Are Their Friends?

Anyone Who Helped Them Get Elected:Anyone Who Helped Them Get Elected:Campaign WorkersCampaign WorkersCampaign Donors and FundraisersCampaign Donors and FundraisersParty OfficialsParty Officials

Are Political Campaigns For Senior Citizens?

YES!YES! Ignore the Stereotypes of 20-year olds Ignore the Stereotypes of 20-year olds

working 18 hour days on campaign.working 18 hour days on campaign. Work as Much or as Little As You WantWork as Much or as Little As You Want Campaigns Will be Grateful To Have You.Campaigns Will be Grateful To Have You. Seniors Are Usually Well Represented On Seniors Are Usually Well Represented On

Most Campaigns.Most Campaigns.

What Kind of Work Will You Do?

Stuffing EnvelopsStuffing Envelops Phone BankingPhone Banking Literature DropsLiterature Drops CanvassingCanvassing FundraisingFundraising Get Out The Vote (GOTV)Get Out The Vote (GOTV) Public EventsPublic Events

How To Work On A Campaign

Encourage Chapter Members to Find a Encourage Chapter Members to Find a Candidate They Can SupportCandidate They Can Support

Provide Campaign Contact Information:Provide Campaign Contact Information: Call County or State Party “Central Call County or State Party “Central

Committees”.Committees”. Visit Campaign Web SitesVisit Campaign Web Sites

Volunteering For Local Party

Most Political Parties Are Active Full-TimeMost Political Parties Are Active Full-Time They Need Help:They Need Help:

OrganizingOrganizing FundraisingFundraising

Most Local Elected Officials Will Most Local Elected Officials Will Appreciate Your Help. Appreciate Your Help.

Building Rapport By Getting Involved In Local Politics

Being a Campaign and Party VolunteerBeing a Campaign and Party Volunteer Give You Unparalleled Access to Elected Give You Unparalleled Access to Elected

Officials.Officials. Help You Advance in the Party Help You Advance in the Party

Hierarchy.Hierarchy. Networking Opportunities Statewide or Networking Opportunities Statewide or

Even Nationally.Even Nationally.

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