Communicating with Congress:
How to Be an Effective Citizen Advocate
Presentation to:
Annie E. Casey Foundation
December 19, 3:00 pm
Agenda
I.
II.
III.
IV.
Audience Poll
Environment on Capitol Hill
5 Rules for Influencing Lawmakers
Q&A
Research
• Congressional Staff Focus Groups
• Congressional Staff Survey
• Congressional Office Consulting
www.CitizensHandbook.com
Environment on Capitol Hill
865%
Average Percentage Increase in Constituent Mail
House
Senate
All Offices
585%
548%
548%
396%
401%
297%
255%
111%
Add text
2002
78%
154%
94%
66%
64%
55%
2003
2004
241%
275%
202%
169%
158%
92%
2005
114%
110%
2007
2008
72%
2006
2009
2010
“The most important thing that people should
understand is that mail [letters, e-mail] matters
more than most constituents think it does.”
- Republican Senator
“I went to a luncheon that was hosted by cancer
centers in my state. Instead of having those guys in
white coats doing their lobbying they brought in
patients -- kids and their parents.
They all got up and told their story. When it was
done there wasn't a dry eye in the room.”
- House Democratic Member
"If your Member/Senator has not already arrived
at a firm decision on an issue, how much influence
might the following advocacy strategies directed to
the Washington office have on his/her decision?"
In-Person Visits from Constituents
97%
Contact From Constituents' Reps.
96%
Individualized Postal Letters
90%
Individualized Email Messages
88%
Phone Calls
86%
Telephone Town Hall Comments
85%
Visit From a Lobbyist
82%
News Editorial
75%
Individualized Faxes
70%
Form Postal Letters
54%
Form Email Messages
51%
Postcards
45%
Comments on Social Media Sites
42%
Form Faxes
30%
0%
10%
20%
A Lot of Positive Influence
30%
40%
50%
Some Influence
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
“A lot of influence”
46%
In-Person Visit from Constituent
8%
Lobbyist Visit
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
“Lobbying is much more substantive and out in the
open than its ugly caricature. Lobbyists primarily
woo lawmakers with facts. Making the case is what
effective lobbyists do most and best.
They spend the rest of their time persuading
lawmakers' constituents to back the same causes,
very much in the mode of an electoral campaign.”
- Jeffrey H. Birnbaum, The Washington Post
5 Rules for Influencing Lawmakers
Rule #1
Learn About Your Legislator
“I particularly admire someone who's able to
articulate the opposing argument, that can give a
good faith account of the other side. They seem to
understand my situation, and I respect that. “
- House Democrat
Rule #2
Be a “Normal” Expert
“The most effective way to influence a lawmaker is
for a constituent to talk to a legislator about how
the policy will affect the person or a particular
group.”
- House Democrat
Rule #3
Communicate Frequently
“I have told paid lobbyists for years that any lobbyist
worth his salt will concentrate on getting my
constituents to tell me what they think…not what he
thinks. He better spend his time getting them to
write me because that’s what I listen to.”
- Republican Senator
Rule #4
Follow Up to Get Firm Answers
Question: “Who do you listen to?”
Answer: “I hate to admit it, but I listen to the squeaky
wheels.”
Rule #5
Tell a Personal Story
Message Includes…
Information about the impact the bill would
have on the district
77%
Constituent’s reasons for
supporting/opposing the bill or issue
74%
48%
Personal story related to the bill or issue
0%
Helpful
20%
Very Helpful
40%
60%
80%
100%
“What I look for in communications is not just ‘I'm
for’ or ‘I'm against’ something. I look for why you
are for or against something.”
- Republican House Member
[email protected]
“Influencing Public Policy from Your Front Porch:
Creating Events Lawmakers Will Attend”
Presentation to:
Annie E. Casey Foundation
December 18, 12:00 pm
Bradford Fitch
Congressional Management Foundation
Copyright 2012: Congressional Management Foundation
Bradford Fitch
President & CEO
Congressional Management Foundation
Susie Gorden
Vice President
Congressional Management Foundation
Agenda
I.
II.
III.
IV.
V.
Audience Poll
Why Bother?
Asking and Coordination with Member Office
Event Coordination
Follow-Up
“All politics is local,”
- Tip O’Neill
Audience Poll
“In your opinion, how important are the
following for understanding constituents'
views and opinions?”
98%
Attending events in the district/state
Personalized messages from constituents
97%
District/state office hours
90%
In person town hall meetings
90%
Telephone town hall meetings
83%
Paper surveys/polls
68%
Facebook
64%
Identical form communications
56%
Online surveys/polls
54%
Online town hall meetings
44%
Twitter
42%
YouTube
34%
Member/Senator's blog
34%
MySpace
9%
0%
Very Important
20%
40%
Somewhat Important
60%
80%
100%
1. Create the Idea
• Identify what goals this event satisfies
• Visualize what the photo will look like
WORK BACKWARDS FROM THERE
What is the focus of this
photo?
Who is featured from our
organization?
How does the event promote or advance the
legislators’ goals?
2. Identify Process within Office
3. Identify Process within Your Org
4. Do Your Homework
5. Draft the Ask
6. Follow Up on Ask
• Be persistent
• Be patient
• Be flexible
Persistence can grind an iron
beam down into a needle.
7. Settle on Details in Concert
“Focus on the big picture but don’t
forget the tiny details.”
— House District Director
“I’ve become very wary of groups
who won’t specify how many
people will attend a meeting.”
— House District Director
Magic Words – Tips for Making the Ask
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Include clear logistics
Be specific
Paint a picture
Include clear contact information
Reference potential media involvement
Show your impact in the district
Utilize multiple communications via various avenues
Luminaries, Dignitaries and MucketyMucks
Designate Primary Staffer for Event
• Who “owns” success or failure?
• Which staffer has the best connection and skill
sets for this event?
• What authority does the Primary Staffer have
to tap organization resources?
Assign Deadlines
“I love deadlines. I love the whooshing sound
they make as they fly by.”
— Douglas Adams
“Goals are dreams with deadlines.”
— Diana Scharf Hunt
COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING
CHECKLIST
Logistics
1. Space
2. A/V Equipment
3. Other materials (e.g., flip charts)
4. Transportation of Your Staff
5. Photo Op
6. Photographer
7. Audience Invitations
Logistics
7. Contact information for each staff
8. Total crowd
9. Food
10.Transportation for Member
11.Body man/Body woman
Run of Show
1. Audience
2. Sequence of events
3. Briefing materials for Member
4. Audience handouts
5. Introductions
6. Preparatory research
7. Late arrivals and no-shows
8. Consider earpieces
Luminaries, Dignitaries and MucketyMucks – Part II
Press/Media
1. Reach out to the press office for Member
2. Shape event to attract media
3. Notify media
4. Determine if you will have briefing materials
5. Know TV / Radio requirements
6. Decide if Member has press availability – before
or after
7. Coordinate and develop social media strategy
Advance Work
1. Test equipment
2. Evaluate lighting
3. Don’t forget backdrop & podium
4. Work with office regarding Member arrival time
5. Determine if security or police protection are
necessary
6. Know who to contact if there are disturbances
Follow-Up
1. Draft and distribute thank you notes
2. Share the good news
3. Evaluate – AAR
Letters to the Editor
Comprehensive Planning Checklist
Questions & Answer
• “Communicating with Congress: How to Be
an Effective Citizen-Advocate”
– December 19, 3 pm
CongressFoundation.org
How to Maximize Your Impact on Congressional Decision‐Making The following is based on a survey conducted by the Congressional Management Foundation of congressional staff taken October‐December 2010. 260 congressional offices in both the House and Senate participated Visit CongressFoundation.org for more details. INFLUENCE FACTORS ON LEGISLATIVE DECISION‐MAKING: Survey Question: “If your Member/Senator has not already arrived at a firm decision on an issue, how much influence might the following advocacy strategies directed to the Washington office have on his/her decision?” MOST EFFECTIVE: LEAST EFFECTIVE: In‐ Person Visits from Constituents
Form Faxes
Contact from Constituents's Reps.
Post Cards
Individualized Postal Letters
Form Email Messages
Individualized Email Messages
Form Postal Letters
Visit from a Lobbyist Phone Calls
0%
20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
0%
20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
A Lot of Influence Some Influence “I have told paid lobbyists for years that any lobbyist worth his salt will concentrate on getting my constituents to tell me what they think…not what he thinks. He better spend his time getting them to write me because that’s what I listen to.” ‐ Republican Senator Copyright: Congressional Management Foundation (2012) [email protected] www.CongressFoundation.org 202‐546‐0100 Survey Question: “In your opinion, how important are the following for understanding constituents' views & opinions?” Attending events in the district/state
Personalized messages from constituents In person town hall meetings
District/state office hours
Telephone town hall meetings
Paper surveys/polls
Facebook
Identical form communications
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
Very Important Somewhat Important 5 Rules for Influencing Lawmakers:
Advocate’s Pledge:
1. Learn About Your Legislator: Know Article 1: I will politely petition my legislator with their background and their positions. all appropriate measures. 2. Be a “Normal” Expert: Understand the Article 2: Under the Constitution, my legislator ins and outs of your issue so you know must listen to me…but I must know what I’m talking what you’re talking about. about. 3. Tell A Personal Story: Most effective Article 3: I will encourage my fellow citizens to aid way to influence a legislator is to in our cause. discuss how policy impacts you. Article 4: Success is realized in both the result and 4. Communicate Frequently: Once or my participation in the democratic process. twice a week with an individualized message; aim for in‐person office visit. 5. Follow Up to Get Firm Answers: After connection is established, request updates on any progress being made. The Congressional Management Foundation Resources for Partners: provides research, training, and other ‐ Advanced Training for Experts materials to organizations engaged in ‐ Access to Raw CMF Research & Data advocacy efforts through its Partnership for a ‐ Surveys of Congressional Staff More Perfect Union. The goal of the ‐ Lobby Day/Fly‐in Day Training Partnership is to improve communications, ‐ Webinars for Grassroots Supporters understanding, and the relationship between citizens and Congress. ‐ On Demand Video Training Copyright: Congressional Management Foundation (2012) [email protected] www.CongressFoundation.org 202‐546‐0100 How to Create an Event Which Will Attract a Member of Congress, Local
Media and Enhance Your Mission –
It’s Easier than You Think
The following is based on a survey conducted by the Congressional Management Foundation of
congressional staff taken October-December 2010.
- 260 congressional offices in both the House and Senate participated
- Large pool means greater accuracy of data—thus more value can be obtained from this information
Visit CongressFoundation.org for more details.
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CONSTITUENCY
Survey Question:
“In your opinion, how important are the following for understanding constituents' views and opinions?”
MOST EFFECTIVE:
LEAST EFFECTIVE:
Attending Events in the
District/State
Individualized Messages
from Constituents
Online Surveys/Polls
Online Town Hall
Meetings
District/State Office Hours
Twitter
In Person Town Hall
Meetings
Telephone Town Hall
Meetings
Youtube
Member/Senator's
Blog
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Very Important
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Somewhat Important
“All politics is local”
- Tip O’Neill
Copyright: Congressional Management Foundation (2012)
[email protected]
www.CongressFoundation.org 202-546-0100
Checklist for Creating a Successful District Visit
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Create the Idea- Work Backwards from There
Identify Process within Congressional Office
Identify Process within your Organization
Do Your Homework
Draft the Ask (see below)
Follow up on Ask
Settle on Details in Concert with the Congressional Office
To define local media outreach, work with Congressional OfficesThey have extensive local press lists
Magic Words: Tips for Making the Ask
•
•
•
•
•
•
Include clear logistics
Be specific
Paint a picture
Include clear contact information
Show your impact in the district
Utilize multiple communications via various avenues
HOUSE AND SENATE CALENDARS
For more information about the 2013 House Schedule, go to
www.majorityleader.gov/Calendar . For the 2013 Senate schedule, see
www.senate.gov and click on “2013 Session Schedule” on the right hand tab.
Copyright: Congressional Management Foundation (2012)
[email protected]
www.CongressFoundation.org 202-546-0100