how to win funding and influence politicians - everylibrary - akla2016 friday 11 march 16

How to Win Funding and Influence Politicians

#AKLA2016John Chrastka, EveryLibrary

@mrchrastka | @everylibrary

Building voter support for libraries

● First Nationwide PAC for Libraries

● Set up as a c4 rather than a c3

● 33 Campaigns to date 25 wins

● $64.4 million in stable tax funding

● Pro Bono Approach

● Negotiation and Lobbying Support for funding

● Over 50 trainings - from individual libraries to state assoc and agencies

● #votelibraries 2016

● The Political Librarian

● everylibrary.org - professional facingvotelibraries.org - public facingaction.everylibrary.org - petitions and events

Voter Data that Frames Our Discussion

“From Awareness to Funding” says…


Voter AttitudesNationwide, of all voters:

37% will Definitely vote yes for the library37% will Probably vote yes for the library

26% will Probably or Definitely vote no or may vote either way.


Library Use Does Not Matter

A voter’s willingness to support increased library funding is not driven, or limited, by library use.

- OCLC "From Awareness to Funding" p. 7-2


Library as Transformative Force

[T]he library is not perceived as just a provider of practical answers and information; the most committed supporters hold the belief that the library is a transformational force.



Attitude - Not Demographics

The factors that determine residents’ willingness to increase their taxes to support their local library are their perceptions and attitudes about the library and the librarian.



What Activates Constituents for Library Funding?

● Is the reason for the tax - and process to get there - legitimate?

● Is there a difference between Plan A and Plan B?

● Where is my money going? and

Who is spending my money?

What Activates Voters?Seven Factors:

A Reason to Vote

Mobilized

Personal Contact with Candidate or Issue*

Culture/Tradition/Habit of Voting*

Trust in Government

Decided to Vote

Weather/Access to PollsBuilding voter support for libraries

What Activates Voters for a Library Measure?

The Librarian is the Candidate

The Library is the Incumbent

Library = Librarians + Community

What is Your Book?Strategic Plan

Management Plan

Service/Programs/Collections Plan

Fundraising Goals

Financials and FiduciaryBuilding voter support for libraries

Talking to Politicians about Libraries


Why Talk Politics and Libraries?

Your funders - elected officials - listen to voters.

Not all voters. Their voters.


Talking to Politicians about Libraries


Politicians respond to only two things - Money and People. We probably can’t get the money, but the data shows that libraries are well supported by the people. So we definitely get the people.

Your electeds listen to their voters. They will be responsive if you can speak not only to the needs of your community, but also why and how the librarians are a partner in addressing those needs.

Your electeds have an agenda. They can be responsive if your ask aligns with a core reason that they ran for office.

How to Win Over Elected Officials


Guiding Principle: The Haycock Rule

The Haycock Rule

“The rules of advocacy include recognizing that the target warrants respect, that the target makes decisions for his or her own reasons, not ours, and that the most effective advocacy is about connecting agendas (your agenda will be advanced by supporting our request). Advocacy is like banking—you can’t make withdrawals if you have never made any deposits.”

- “A” does stuff for “Z” because “A” wants “Z” to like them

- John does stuff for Patrick not only because John likes Patrick but because John knows that if he doesn’t help Patrick move (again) then Patrick may not like John as much.

“We got it because we asked”


But You Need to AskElected officials get a lot of "asks". If we don't ask, we don't get heard. If we are not in line when the line moves, it moves without us. If we're not 'fundable', when the funding comes we're not going to get any.

What makes us fundable?

Do you have the authorization to be in the appropriations?

When can we change the authorizing language


Researching Your ElectedsWhat committees does your elected sit on (policy/budget/approps) that libraries are part of?

What committees does your elected sit on (policy/budget/approps) that libraries have never been in?

What caucuses are your electeds involved in that may not normally look at libraries?

Mapping Your Ask to Elected Officials’ Priorities

Pro-Tips for Elected Officials

It is a discussion, not a debate.

Unless you know the elected is actually opposed or is on the record as true friend to libraries, assume they are neutral, interested, and unaware.


Conventional Wisdom Says….

Ask “open ended questions”...

What do you think of libraries?

What can libraries do for you and your position?

What can we (librarians) do to support your work?


Two Key Question for Legislators

1) How do you see libraries fitting into this ordinance/bill?

2) How do you see librarians putting this idea to work in the community?


Making a New Ask

Making a New Ask1. Where does revenue come from?

2. What are the priorities of my elected officials?

3. What is “regular order” for the lawmaking or rulemaking

body?

4. How can I make this easy for them?

Understanding Regular Order

I. Dates and Statutory Deadlines

II. Rules and Process for participation

III.How the ordinance / bill starts

IV.How the ordinance / bill moves

V. How to amend on the floor

Backroom work still gets it done. Out front is political cover, political pressure, or political affirmation.

Making a “New Ask” Easier

We have developed model language for an ordinance/bill that would address X or Y or Z.

Would you like to see it?


Extending Your Influence


What do Electeds Know?

● Vision for the community is the key story to tell

● You will either have more money than people, or more people than money

● Elections are won through coalitions

● Endorsements drive legitimacy

● Proxies who to speak for the candidate are necessary


Extending Your InfluenceWhat systems already exist in your community or statewide that align with libraries? Where are your natural partnerships? Who are you regularly frustrated with?

State and Local Systems:

Boards and Commissions

Coalitions of Common Cause

Coalitions of Common Concern

What Coalitions are Right for You?Economic Development

Early Literacy and Early Childhood

Grade Level Reading

Housing and Food Security

Immigration

Safety and Violence

Building your Message

Plan A | Plan B● What happens if it passes….

● What happens if it fails…..

● Talk about ’features’

● But focus on the outcomes

To Library Users:● “As you know...”● Personal Value Proposition● Value for Other● Activation as a Voter

To Non-Users:● “As you can imagine...”● Value to/for “Other”● Satisfaction as a Voter

Remember – Use Does Not Matter


Big Ideas for Alaska Libraries

★Look outside of Alaska for donor and federal money

★Your library is ‘shovel ready’ for new money on social services, education,

workforce development, community livability. Map it now. Ask for it.

★When they want to cut you, say No. Then say “here is why”.

★Build Likes and Emails of residents for advocacy.

John ChrastkaEveryLibrary

www.everylibrary.orgfacebook/everylibrary

@everylibrary


Thank You

how to win funding and influence politicians - everylibrary - akla2016 friday 11 march 16

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