A Voice For Volunteers: The Legislative Process and YOU! © 2012 Ledge Counsel, Inc.

A Voice For Volunteers:A Voice For Volunteers:

The Legislative Process The Legislative Process and YOU!and YOU!

© 2012 Ledge Counsel, Inc.

What’s At Stake?

© 2012 Ledge Counsel, Inc.

Training ObjectivesNSCA goals and national issuesYour role as a Voice for Senior VolunteersBehind the scenes look at how the legislative process worksThe importance of legislative staffHow you can develop effective relationships with elected officialsAdvocacy can be FUN!FUN!

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Bill of Rights - Amendment I

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances

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What Is Advocacy?

To speak up, to plead the case of another, or to champion a cause

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FACE TIME

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What Is GrassTops Advocacy?

An attempt to encourage experts connected in a field to communicate with a member or staff person of a legislative body

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What Is An Advocacy Network?

An on-going, organized system of recruiting, training and motivating individuals to utilize their political power to influence legislation

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Advocacy Network

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2 Types of Advocates in Advocacy Networks

Personal: “broad based” grassroots network places the emphasis on getting as many participants as possible

Professional: “grasstops” programs, place greater emphasis on the “quality” of the relationship between participants and the legislator

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The Congressional Budget Process

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What was that???

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Budget Process: Simplified

President Submits A Budget (1st Monday in February)

Congress Considers Budget Resolution

Reconciliation Instructions to Committees/Allocations of Funding

Reconciliation Enacted

Appropriations Enacted

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How Our Laws Are MadeMembers of CongressFormed into CommitteesIntroducing BillsWhich are referred to Committee for hearings and “consideration”Reported from CommitteesConsidered by the House and Senate“Conferenced”Passed AGAINSigned into law (or vetoed)

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Authorization versus appropriations

Authorization – statutory authority establishing or continuing operation of a federal agency or program and “authorizing the appropriation” of funds to carry out the activity

Appropriation – annual, discretionary funding for programs (i.e. Early Head Start, child care programs)

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Key Committees

Senate HELP/House Education & the WorkforceKennedy Serve America ActOlder Americans ActK-12 EducationCommunity Services Block Grant

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Key Committees

Budget

Appropriations

EVERYTHING!

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Roles of Committee Staff

Staff Director

General Counsel

Professional Staff Members

Administrative Staff

“Clerks”

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Committee Staff Influence

Investigate a matter of public policy thoroughlyEstablish a record justifying legislative actionCraft legislative remedies to public issuesProvide logistical support for the legislative effort

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Roles of Personal Office Staff

Administrative assistant (AA) (usually called the “Chief of Staff” now)Legislative director (LD)Legislative assistant (LA) who handles…SchedulerLegislative correspondent (LC)Staff assistant

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Congressional Staff Influence

The top priority for Hill staffers is finding information localized by state and district that helps them do their jobs as well as helps their bosses succeed

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Why Me?

Constituents Matter

Practical Experience and Expertise

A link to the State/District

Why Washington Matters

Friends and Family: Trusted Voice

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How Do I Connect?

KNOW YOUR

AUDIENCE!

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Forms of Advocacy

Telephone calls

Letters

Visits by elected officials

Visits to elected officials

Opinion-editorials (op-ed)

Electronic mail

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Legislators Top Three Influences

1. Face-to-face meetings

2. Written letters/emails

3. Telephone calls

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Writing Letters

Be sure to include return address on letterBe accurate – facts and statsState your reason up frontAsk member to explain positionConsider timing – is the bill in committee? Thank your elected officials

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Why Write Elected Officials?

Congress received four times more communications in 2004 than 1995—all of the increase from Internet-based communications (200 million pieces)

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Why Call Elected Officials?

Congress now receives more than 6 million calls a year

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Telephone Calls.

Direct call to a specific person (LA)

Decide to call DC, or district office

Keep your message short – talking points

Ask for a follow-up, Member’s stance

Identify the issue, give the bill number

State your support or concern for issue

In time, get direct lines from staff person

Thank staff person or member

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Why Visit Elected Officials?

Gives elected officials an opportunity to know you personally

Educate him or her about the role of organized senior volunteers

Put a human face on legislation or issue that may impact program

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Site Visits byElected Officials

Scheduling – extend invite during a personal meeting or through a letter

Visit logistics – educate parents, staff about elected officials, key issues and goals

Conducting visits – stay on time

Following your visits – write a thank-you note to elected officials

Be political, not partisan

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Other Projects

Attend “town hall” meetings

Host a tour or special events

Reach out to local mass media, business & community

Organize a state capitol hill day

Organize an advocacy advisory group

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Delivering Your Message

Select the best communication tool

Craft your message

Identify yourself

Be specific

Prioritize your requests

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Delivering Your Message (cont.)

Offer to be a resource

Tell the truth

Do not vilify your opponents

Do not discuss the campaign

Be polite, be patient, and follow up

© 2012 Ledge Counsel, Inc.

From the Congressional Management

Foundation

1. Quality is more persuasive than quantity

2. The organization behind a grassroots campaign matters

3. Grassroots organizations should develop a better understanding of Congress

4. There is a difference between being noticed and having an impact

© 2012 Ledge Counsel, Inc.

What do we need?

Your commitmentYour commitment

Your supportYour support

A little of your timeA little of your time

Feedback and FollowupFeedback and Followup

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Final thoughts

America is not governed America is not governed by the majority. It is by the majority. It is governed by the majority governed by the majority who choose to register, who choose to register, vote and participate in the vote and participate in the political processpolitical process

© 2012 Ledge Counsel, Inc.

© 2012 Ledge Counsel, Inc.