November 2012

November 2012

SERVICES

Strategic & Campaign Planning

Facilitation

Coalition Development

Fundraising

Communications

Organizational Development

Executive Coaching

MY INTEREST IN POLITICS

WHAT WE’RE COVERING

Understanding Politicians

Cycle of Accountability The Lay of the Land Best Practices

UNDERSTANDING POLITICIANS

Poli = Many

Tics =

HOW POLITICIANS VIEW THEMSELVES

Smart Serving the Community Unselfish Objective Putting in ridiculous hours for low pay

DECISION-MAKING FORMULA

Values > Relationships > Information

Unless Politics Trumps

VALUES

Values

RELATIONSHIPS

Family Caucus/Leadership Business Friendship Campaign Donor

INFORMATION

Information matters on non-controversial, technical issues.

LEGISLATORS FACE . . .

RELATIONSHIPS > INFORMATION

Information shared by those with whom you have a relationship is far more likely to be listened to or acted upon.

GOOD NEWS: Most of your issues are

non-controversial and technical

DECISION-MAKING FORMULA

Values > Relationships > Information

Unless Politics Trumps

WHEN DOES POLITICS TRUMP?

When it can change an election By moving large blocks of

voters that matter By moving large amounts of

money, that can be used to move voters on other issues.

DECISION-MAKING FORMULA

Values > Relationships > Information

Unless Politics Trumps

Or the Wildcard strikes

Your Wildcard Enemy?

IMPLICATIONS FOR NMTA POLITICAL PROGRAM?

1. You are unlikely to build political power with a focus on changing election outcomes

2. You can use candidate recruitment to increase the number of legislators who highly value boating

3. You can maximize high-quality relationships with legislators, particularly those on relevant committees.

CYCLE OF ACCOUNTABILITY

Communicate Policy Goals to Legislators

Legislative Outcomes

Legislature enacts or rejects your agenda

Candidate/IncumbentEvaluation andEndorsement

ElectionPublic elects or rejects candidates

Evaluate andPrioritize Goalsfor Session.

Lobbying (both paid andvolunteer)

CommunicateLegislativeResults to Your Constituency

CampaignDonationsIndependent ExpendituresVolunteer Support Recruit

Candidates

CYCLE OF ACCOUNTABILITY

Communicate Policy Goals to Legislators

ElectionPublic elects or rejects candidates

Evaluate andPrioritize Goalsfor Session.

CYCLE OF ACCOUNTABILITY

Communicate Policy Goals to Legislators

Legislative Outcomes

Legislature enacts or rejects your agenda

ElectionPublic elects or rejects candidates

Evaluate andPrioritize Goalsfor Session.

Lobbying (both paid andvolunteer)

CYCLE OF ACCOUNTABILITY

Communicate Policy Goals to Legislators

Legislative Outcomes

Legislature enacts or rejects your agenda

Candidate/IncumbentEvaluation andEndorsement

ElectionPublic elects or rejects candidates

Evaluate andPrioritize Goalsfor Session.

Lobbying (both paid andvolunteer)

CommunicateLegislativeResults to Your Constituency

RecruitCandidates

CYCLE OF ACCOUNTABILITY

Communicate Policy Goals to Legislators

Legislative Outcomes

Legislature enacts or rejects your agenda

Candidate/IncumbentEvaluation andEndorsement

ElectionPublic elects or rejects candidates

Evaluate andPrioritize Goalsfor Session.

Lobbying (both paid andvolunteer)

CommunicateLegislativeResults to Your Constituency

CampaignDonationsIndependent ExpendituresVolunteer Support Recruit

Candidates

WHERE ARE THE NMTA’S LEVERAGE POINTS IN THE CYCLE?

1. Impacting WHO runs

2. Using the endorsement process to build relationships

3. Campaigns as tool to build personal relationships

4. Set legislative agenda taking into account relationships.

5. Lobbying starts with legislators values, delivered by those with relationships.

The common theme is . . .

Relationships

CYCLE OF ACCOUNTABILITY

Communicate Policy Goals to Legislators

Legislative Outcomes

Legislature enacts or rejects your agenda

Candidate/IncumbentEvaluation andEndorsement

ElectionPublic elects or rejects candidates

Evaluate andPrioritize Goalsfor Session.

Lobbying (both paid andvolunteer)

CommunicateLegislativeResults to Your Constituency

CampaignDonationsIndependent ExpendituresVolunteer Support Recruit

Candidates

HOW DO YOU CREATE A PLAN?

Your goal is an integrated plan that takes into account the whole Cycle

Start with the Lay of the Land . . .

Best Practices

Agenda Setting Lobbying Communications

AGENDA SETTING

Set priorities Use the process to strengthen

relationships

LOBBYING

Start where they are, not where you are.

Focus on the right legislators

COMMUNICATIONS

Start where they are, not where you are.

Be clear One-on-one is best

TO CONTACT ME:

www.poisner.com – for email newsletter signup

Twitter.com/jpoisner

Via phone: 503-490-1234

Via email: [email protected]