Communicating with Policymakers Advocacy Tips for Agencies Serving Crime Victims.
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Transcript of Communicating with Policymakers Advocacy Tips for Agencies Serving Crime Victims.
Communicating with Policymakers
Advocacy Tips for Agencies Serving Crime Victims
Communicating with Policymakers: Document Outline The Policymaking Process
Advocacy Tips Skills and competencies
First things first
Build a coalition
Take action
Tips in Brief
Resources
The Policymaking Process1
Public policy can be impacted at any of the following
stages of the policymaking process: Identification of Policy Problems
Agenda Setting
Formulation of Specific Policy Proposals
Legitimization of Policies
Implementation of Policies
Policy Analysis
The following slides review each of these stages…
1Based on Dye, T. (2002). Understanding Public Policy. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.
The Policymaking Process: Identification of Policy Problems
Broadly defined, policy is whatever government does or chooses not to do.
Only those issues that are publicly defined as policy problems become possible targets for government action. Violence against women, for example, only became a target for
government intervention after the social climate accepting this form of violence began to shift.
Often the challenges faced by crime victims go unnoticed by the community – raising awareness is a critical first step toward effective advocacy!
The Policymaking Process: Agenda Setting
Agenda setting is the informal process through which government decides what problems will be targeted for government action. Not all problems that can be addressed will be addressed. For example, although the importance of child abuse prevention is widely
discussed, it has been difficult to achieve sustained public funding for prevention efforts.
Focusing the attention of policymakers on problems of importance to the clients you serve will facilitate getting those issues on the agenda.
The Policymaking Process: Formulation of Specific Policies The development of a bill is a critical step in the legislative process. The
content of a bill will ultimately shape and limit the bill’s function. For example, VOCA specifies how funds can and can not be used – once these limitations
become law they are more difficult to change.
Anyone, from the President to you or I, can write a bill. However, only a
legislator (i.e., Senator or Representative) may introduce a bill to the Senate
or House for consideration. Preparing pro-active legislation or working with legislators to write a bill is a great way to
make sure the interests of crime victims are represented.
Authorizing vs. Appropriations Legislation is passed (authorized) and funded (appropriations) through two separate
processes and two separate bills.
It is critical to make sure that funding is allocated in the budget to support authorized
legislation during the appropriations process. Many authorized programs have not been
implemented because they were not ultimately funded.
The Policymaking Process: Legitimization of Policies In order to become law, a bill must pass through both the House of
Representatives and the Senate. When a bill is introduced, it is typically sent to a committee or subcommittee for
‘mark-up’ (amendments or changes) and public hearings. Many bills never make it out of committee.
If a bill makes it out of committee, it is placed on the legislative calendar. A bill placed too late on the calendar may not be debated.
If a bill gets to the House or Senate floor, it is debated, possibly amended, and voted on. A bill can be sent back to committee or dropped completely if it doesn’t pass.
A bill that passes one house goes through this same process in the second house of the legislature. Any changes have to be approved by the original house.
The final bill must be approved, in the same form, by both houses and signed by the President (federal) or Governor (State of Michigan).
See the (federal) path from bill to law on the next slide...
Bill Introduced Bill Introduced
Referred to Committee than Subcommittee
Referred to Committee than Subcommittee
Subcommittee hearings and markup
Subcommittee hearings and markup
Subcommittee Approves Subcommittee Approves
Committee Consideration Committee Consideration
Committee Reports Out Committee Reports Out
Committee Report Filed Committee Report Filed
Senate Floor House Floor
Senate amends House Bill
House amends Senate Bill
Senate Floor House Floor
Conference Committee & Report
Adoption by both houses
White House – approve or veto
Senate HouseThe Federal Legislative Process
The Policymaking Process:Legitimization of Policies
For more information on the legislative process in Michigan, visit: http://www.legislature.mi.gov/mileg.asp?Page=Publications http://house.michigan.gov/citizens_guide.asp
For more information on the federal legislative process, visit: http://thomas.loc.gov/home/lawsmade.toc.html http://bensguide.gpo.gov/9-12/government/national/legislative.html
(especially for kids!)
The Policymaking Process: Policy Implementation Policies are implemented by the agencies, departments, and
bureaus that make up the federal and state bureaucracies. Bureaucratic agencies are not intended to decide policy questions,
but translating law into practice requires addressing policy issues. Consequently, the bureaucratic system plays a critical role in determining what policies mean in practice. For example, the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) requires that states honor
one another’s orders of protection; however, that law is interpreted and implemented in various ways by police departments across the country.
Rules and regulations are published in the Federal Register for public comment before they are enacted by bureaucratic agencies. You can make sure your clients’ interests are considered in this process by
visiting http://www.regulations.gov/fdmspublic-bld61/component/main
The Policymaking Process: Policy Analysis
Policies are evaluated in two ways: Impressionistic Policy Analysis
Often policy is evaluated based on anecdotal stories, media attention, interest group lobbying, and other such impressionistic methods.
Systematic Policy Analysis Occasionally, the impact of policy is assessed using formal research
methods. Both types of evaluation impact the future of the policy.
You produce information of both kinds: Share your clients’ stories with policymakers – these stories can
be very impactful. Share your evaluation results with policymakers – help them see
the value of supporting services for crime victims.
Advocacy Tips Advocacy can involve ANY of the steps described above! Advocacy by nonprofit organizations is both legal and effective.
However, nonprofits are non-partisan - they may not advocate or lobby for specific candidates or for a specific political party.
Advocacy is different from lobbying, which is also legal for nonprofits. The Michigan Lobbying Act and the IRS regulate the lobbying activities
of non-profits: The Michigan Lobbying Act specifies that organizations spending more
than $500 to lobby a particular public official or $2,000 to lobby over a 12 month period must register with the IRS, which is not difficult.
To learn more about lobbying regulations in Michigan, please visit www.mnaonline.org/lobbyinfo.asp
Additional Federal regulations apply to agencies receiving federal grant dollars. For example, the language of the Victims of Crime Act specifies that VOCA
grant funds can not be used to support “victim legislation or administrative reform, whether conducted directly or indirectly.”
Advocacy Tips Skills & Competencies2
Advocacy efforts are more likely to be effective when
they are: specialized – focus your efforts on a specific issue. thoroughly researched – do your homework. collaborative – work with other agencies & your community. persistent – be sure to follow-up. based on the position that there are many possible solutions – be
open to alternatives. personal - building relationships is the key to successful
advocacy.
2Based on the Children’s Defense Fund
Advocacy TipsFirst Things First – Do Your Homework Get to know the issue.
Know what’s been done in Michigan and in other communities.
Know the alternative policy approaches. Know the research:
Search online databases for relevant journal articles through a university server.
Try www.findarticles.com, www.scholar.google.com, or www.ncjrs.gov/abstractdb/search.asp to find publicly accessible research articles.
Know the costs and benefits of the policy. Get specific about what you want to accomplish so that you
can focus your efforts.
Advocacy TipsFirst Things First – Do Your Homework Get to know the people involved
Who are your senators and representatives? Find your State of Michigan Senator at www.senate.michigan.gov/SenatorInfo/find-your-senator.htm Find your State of Michigan Representative at house.michigan.gov/find_a_rep.asp Find your U.S. Senator at www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm Find your U.S. Representative at www.house.gov/
Who sits on the committee that would handle this issue? Michigan Senate committees:
www.senate.michigan.gov/senatecommittees/new%20rulesandcommittees.htm Michigan House committees:
house.michigan.gov/committees.asp U.S. Senate committees: www.senate.gov/pagelayout/committees/d_three_sections_with_teasers/
committees_home.htm U.S. House committees:
www.house.gov/ Who are your likely supporters and opponents in the legislature and in interest groups? Connecting with policymakers on a personal level is critical to building a working relationship.
Learn about who they are and what is important to them. Find out what you have in common and work from there. Always treat policymakers with respect and show your appreciation for the work that they do. Give them every reason to believe that you and the information you provide are trustworthy.
Advocacy TipsFirst Things First – Do Your Homework Analyze and track proposed legislation
Identify the purpose and goals of the bill, both overt and covert. Examine the bill’s contents.
What will the bill accomplish and not accomplish? Identify the financial implications of the bill.
Are there plans to make sure the cost is covered in appropriations? Identify supporters and opponents of the bill. Establish the bill’s legislative history & sponsor. Identify the bill’s pros, cons, and alternatives. State of Michigan legislation can be tracked at
http://www.legislature.mi.gov/ Federal legislation can be tracked at http://thomas.loc.gov/
Advocacy Tips Build a Coalition Coalitions of agencies bringing a shared message have a more powerful
impact than an agency acting alone.
When conflicting messages are delivered to policymakers by agencies
doing similar work, each agency’s message is weakened.
So…collaborate with other agencies with similar positions and interests. Hold informal gatherings of agencies in your community to talk about policy
issues.
Develop a formal coalition of agencies in your community. Work together to formulate a cohesive message.
Share legislative updates with one another through email or a website.
Deliver your coalition’s message with the backing of each agency.
Work with community members and incorporate survivors into your policy work.
Develop a coalition of agencies & local policymakers. Meet together to discuss important issues facing crime victims in the community.
Advocacy TipsTake Action There are many ways to communicate your message to
policymakers. Check out the next few slides for tips on:
Involving your legislator with the activities of your agency Writing a letter Meeting in person Getting the community involved
For more information, be sure to read Nonprofit Legislative Advocacy 101 in the Fall 2004 edition of The Michigan Advocate.
Advocacy Tips: Take ActionFamiliarize Policymakers with Your Agency Policymakers need to know the importance of the work
that you do and to see the needs of the victims you serve. Share written material on your agency with policymakers, such
as your annual report or newsletters. Highlight positive evaluation results & cost/benefit information. Emphasize the need that you meet in the community. Include personal touches, such as survivor stories or photographs, to illustrate
your points. Clearly articulate the policy implications of your work.
Update policymakers on the work of your agency & share important milestones.
Invite policymakers to agency meetings and events. Invite policymakers to your agency for a site visit.
Seeing your work can have a lasting impact! Always remember to say thank you!
Advocacy Tips: Take Action Write a letter Just a few personal letters on a specific topic can get a legislator’s attention. When writing a letter to a policymaker, keep the following tips in mind:
Be professional. Address your letter properly, and check your grammar and spelling (see the template on the next slide).
Know your audience. Different individuals will find different messages persuasive.
Know the issue. Communicate the most salient and persuasive points. Always be truthful.
Be clear, concise, and organized. Limit your comments to one (1) typed page. You can always include supporting documents, such as a position paper or resource list.
Give examples. Let your legislator know how the issue impacts the community s/he represents.
Make specific recommendations for action. Be courteous and respectful, but not apologetic. Use your own words and letterhead.
Post cards, email, and form letters tend to be less influential. Mail letters to State officials, but fax them to U.S. officials.
Send thank you notes when s/he provides helpful information or services, or votes as you asked.
Advocacy Tips: Take Action Write a letter – a template
Your nameYour address
Date
The Honorable Mary SmithUnited States Senate (or House of Representatives)Washington, DC 20510 (20515 – House)
Dear Senator Smith: (Dear Representative Smith:)
Text of the letter:•State who you are and the issue about which you are writing.•Explain how the issue impacts you or your work.•Describe the facts of the current situation and justify the need for action.•Explain what action you would like taken.•Request a response.
Sincerely,
Your name & position
Advocacy Tips: Take ActionMeeting in Person
Meeting in person can be even more effective than a phone call. When meeting in person, be sure to:
Schedule the meeting in advance. Meet on home ground in his or her district when possible. Make a personal connection.
Did you go to the same high school? Do you both run? Do you share a love for Golden Retrievers? Show appreciation for his or her work.
Find a vote you agreed with and say thank you. Be respectful of his or her time.
Be punctual. Keep the meeting brief.
Do not be disappointed if you end up meeting with a staff person. Staff provide legislators with the information they use to make decisions and are critical to the legislative
process. Building relationships with legislative staff is very valuable. Be prepared to communicate your message.
Provide specific information, request a specific action, and be available to answer questions or provide more information.
Ask for his or her position on the issue. Provide your contact information. Send a thank you note the next day.
Advocacy Tips: Take ActionMaking a Phone Call The tips for meeting in-person apply here as well, but be
particularly sure to: Be courteous and respectful toward everyone you speak with. Ask to speak with your representative or senator.
If he or she is unavailable, remember that staff play a critical role, and they might be able to give you more time to discuss your position.
Establish a bond and show appreciation. Be clear, specific, and concise.
This is particularly important on the phone – you won’t have the benefit of non-verbal cues.
Keep it brief and to-the-point. Provide contact information and stress that you are available to
answer questions or provide more information. Send a thank you note the next day.
Advocacy Tips: Take ActionGet the Community Involved Raising awareness in your community can influence the
political agenda and impact policy decisions. To get the community engaged:
Hold community forums to discuss issues facing victims of crime. Host letter-writing or calling campaigns. Host community breakfasts to discuss policy issues. Hold a rally or press conference. Get policymakers involved with these community events. Be sure to involve the media!
Advocacy Tips: Take Action Other Approaches
Become even more involved by… Testifying
Committee meeting schedules are posted online for both
the federal and state government.
Preparing a brief or position paper
Preparing pro-active legislation
Work with a legislator to introduce a bill.
Advocacy Tips In Brief10 Strategies Expand dialogue among your agency partners regarding creating a shared agenda
for advocacy – a shared vision communicated by several agencies is particularly persuasive.
Use your agency’s email system or website to share information about State and national policy issues (e.g., opportunities to testify, exciting/troubling developments, upcoming votes, etc.).
Write letters to policymakers that are endorsed by your agency on agency letterhead. Include policymakers in your work to help them see the importance of what you do
and the challenges facing the clients you serve. Invite policymakers to meetings, presentations, events, or to tour your facility.
Send policymakers resource materials produced by your agency to help them become familiar with your work.
Include the policy implications of your work in presentations and in resource materials.
Build ongoing, trusting relationships with legislators and legislative staff – relationships are the key to successful advocacy.
Encourage public dialogue regarding the tangible effects of policy choices on crime victims.
Send a member of your staff to testify at legislative hearings. Prepare and submit pro-active legislation.
Where to go for more information… National Association of VOCA Assistance
Administrators www.navaa.org
National Organization for Victim Assistance www.trynova.org
Federal Office for Victims of Crime www.ojp.usdoj.gov/ovc/
Michigan Nonprofit Association www.mnaonline.org
Charity Lobbying in the Public Interest www.clpi.org
Alliance for Justice www.afj.org
OMB Watch www.ombwatch.org
Michigan Crime Victim Services Commission http://www.michigan.gov/mdch/0,1607,7-132-
2940_3184---,00.html
Independent Sector www.independentsector.org
Michigan’s Children www.michigangschildren.org
State of Michigan www.michigan.gov
Federal Government www.firstgov.gov
Library of Congress www.thomas.loc.gov
APA Public Policy Office www.apa.org/ppo