Advocacy Training “Tools for Political Engagement”

Sponsored by The Chartrand Foundation

Contact Information

Joe TheissenContact:Office: 202-380-1780theissen@voices.orgTwitter: @jtheissen

Voices for America’s Children

Nation’s Largest Network of state and local-based multi-issue children’s advocacy organizations

63 Members in 48 states, the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands

Florida member: Children’s Campaign (Fl)

Learning Objectives/Goals Improve your skills as an advocate

for children and families Develop understanding of

different forms of advocacy Provide some “tips” to improve

your communications skills Explore strategies for linking social

media and advocacy.

Together We Will….1. Define different forms of advocacy2. Discuss strategies, tools and tactics for

effective policy advocacy3. Explore differentiated audience

messaging4. Examine how to use low-cost, high-

impact social media (Facebook, Twitter, Change.org)

5. Do some advocacy role-play to hone skills

What Today is NOT

1. A policy primer2. A political primer3. Intended to address “legal” issues

except in a general sense

Why Do This Work?1. We care about kids…all kids2. We worry about our nation’s future3. We worry about declining public

investments4. We see system change as critical

If you are not convinced we have a problem…. Let’s review…

• Poverty (children under 18) Nationally: 22% Florida: 24%

• 4th Grade Reading (Not Proficient; 2011 NAEP data) Nationally: 32% Florida: 63% (rank #33)

• Food “Hardship” Florida: 30% (rank #4) North Dakota: 16%

Pledge for children

www.voices.org

InspirationBreak

Advocacy

The act of pleading or arguing in favor of something, such as a cause, idea, or policy;

active support.

Reasons to Engage in Advocacy

• Bridge between service projects and policy

• Systems change

• “Policy happens”

• You can help make a difference!

Advocacy Can Help Shape Public Policy

Types of Advocacy

• Client Advocacy• Legislative Advocacy• Administrative Advocacy• Electoral advocacy• Legal advocacy• Collaboration• Public Education

Levels of Advocacy

• Local– School boards– Township– City– County

• State

• Federal

Community-Based Child Advocacy is Vital

Public Policy is a part of Community Impact

Government action can significantly impact community-level change – both positively and negatively• Access• Barriers

Lobbying? Advocacy?

• Constitutionally protected: “Right to Petition for Redress of Grievances….”

• Nonprofits can lobby! • Resources on nonprofit lobbying:– Alliance for Justice (www.afj.org)– Charity Lobbying in the Public Interest (www.clpi.org).

Lobbying by a 501(c)(3) organization is LEGAL!

• Tax code has always allowed some lobbying by nonprofits.• 1976 Public Charity Lobby Law (PL 94-455)

and subsequent regulations specify rules for nonprofit lobbying. • In 1990, IRS established guidelines for

complying with 1976 lobby law under Section 501(h) and 4911.

Questions, Comments, Observations?

Advocacy Tactics

• Write letters• Make phone calls• Meet with your elected officials• Organize clients that benefit from service• Contact media• Letters to the editor• Gather public support• Work in coalition/identify partners

An Advocacy Plan

• Objective• Target Group• Strategies– 5W’s and an H

• Communication Tools• Evaluation

Advocacy Strategy• The 5Ws and the H– Know Whom to bring.– Know What to bring.– Know When is the best time to schedule visits.– Know Where you will meet.– Know Why you are there.– Know How to make your case.

• Know what you don’t know.

Shaping the Message

• You must adapt to a changed and not always sympathetic political environment

• Elected officials need to understand: The importance of the issue The amount of money required to make it viable You want to them to understand the issue as you do

Messaging: Frames & Values**1. Show Respect– No one will listen if not accorded respect– Be sincere– Turn the other cheek

2. Respond by REFRAMING the Discussion– Don’t counter/negate facts alone– “Frames” trump facts– Once you reframe, everything else you say is accepted

as common sense

3. Think and Talk at the Level of Values…Pick values relevant to your message

Fairness Security Prosperity Opportunity Freedom

Examples of Values-based Frames

“If people don’t have health care, it’s their own fault. They are not working hard enough or managing their money well.”

“Frameshift”

Most of the nearly fifty million Americans who cannot afford health care work at full-time jobs that do not pay them enough to get health care…

“We should cut taxes—people know how to spend their money better than government…”

Reframe: “Wise investments are made with tax dollars. Our interstate highway system, for example. You couldn’t build a highway system with your tax refund. Nor could individuals create their own Internet or National Cancers Institute.”

Talking the Talk

1. Be clear2. Be specific3. Personalize the presentation4. Keep your presentation brief5. Know your priorities6. Put it in writing7. Put it in context

Legislative Meeting

• Identify the issue.• Shape it• Frame it

• Cite a personal connection or describe the local impact

• Use key facts to support your case.• Make a specific “ask”• Say thank you and request a follow-up

Rules for Successful Visits1. Be on time2. Be a constituent3. Look the part4. Be positive5. Stay focused6. Remain calm – no matter what!7. Don’t get discouraged8. Know when to stop9. Be appreciative

Writing Letters

1. Address just one issue per letter2. Keep it short3. Use plain English4. Cite facts/stories5. Offer to provide further detail6. Include your name, address, zip, and phone

number

Phone Calling

• Call your elected official at his/her office• Identify yourself and where you are from• Keep your comments brief• Be sure to make specific requests of your

elected official• Make sure to do research/share stories and be

ready to send background information to the office.

Questions, Comments, Observations?

Fiscal Roadblocks….What you will hear:

We cannot afford to do the right thingCome back when the budget climate is betterBalancing the budget is more important than

meeting the demonstrable long-term needs of children

Fiscal Austerity (HALT!)• Not enough to be a child policy advocate, you

must be a budget advocate• Budgets are statements about priorities• Statements of What is Important, Vital• Budgets are NOT “Accounting-Green Eye

Shade Exercises”

04/21/23 41

Non-Defense Discretionary Spending Cuts Far Below Historical Levels

41

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Nearly Half of NDD Spending is Grants to States; Low-Income Programs

Budget “Framing”• Children and Youth did not cause

the deficit and should not be expected to solve it…

• Children and Youth are the future• Children’s Programs are a declining

% of spending• Children’s Programs ARE proven

investments

Investment Messaging

• Research shows that the earlier investments are made in high-quality programs the greater the return on investment

• Every $1 of public investment in high-quality program returns as much as $7-$10 to taxpayers

Framing Exercise1. Pick a critical issue policy issue2. Create a values frame to message

around it3. Agree on the best way to present it

budget/fiscal impact4. Agree on the best outcome(s)

Summing Up…

What have we learned?

What Is to Be Done?

We do this work not because it is easy, but because it is hard and must be done

The choices are not that hard, but the consequences of making the wrong choices could be devastating

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