Leading Community Change

Transcription

1 Leading Community Change Presented by: Rebecca Gorrell Director of Education & Leadership Development

2 Agenda A roadmap to real change Demystifying Advocacy The Rules Toolbox: Lobbying & Voter Engagement Getting Started 2017.and beyond!

3 Nonprofits: Agents for Change We are are nonpartisan, trusted messengers. Nonprofits serve and engage disenfranchised communities every day. Our sector is expansive. There are over one million community-based nonprofit organizations and sites working with populations that have a history of lower participation. We employ more than 14 million people (10% of the workforce), engage more than 50 million volunteers annually, and serve millions every day. Civic engagement improves client outcomes, including lower rates of chronic disease and decreased depression. Civically engaged people are more likely to follow issues, volunteer, and engage friends and family members. Communities with increased engagement experience lower unemployment. At the table, or on the menu! Sources: Alvy, Harris polls, Philanthropy for active civic engagement, National Civic Review, 2010, Nonprofit VOTE 2014, Independent Sector, 2016.

4 Arena for Change Our issues are decided politically Advocacy helps find real solutions to help real people 501 (c) (3) s are the Sleeping Giants

5 Defining Advocacy Advocacy is Involves identifying, embracing and promoting a cause. Includes a broad range of activities. Lobbying is An attempt to influence specific legislation. An attempt to influence a specific ballot measure. Has strict legal and IRS definitions for nonprofits.

6 Defining Advocacy

7 Full Cycle Advocacy

8 Cardinal Rule: Nonpartisanship A 501(c)(3) organization may NOT Endorse or Oppose a candidate or party Make a contribution to a candidate or party

9 What s at stake? What could be gained? What could be lost?

10 Nonprofit Toolbox: Lobbying Direct Lobbying: Communication with a legislator (or staff) expressing a view about specific legislation Grassroots lobbying: Communication with the general public expressing a view about specific legislation and including a call to action.

11 What does the IRS Say? The amount of lobbying a nonprofit organization can engage in depends on its tax-exempt status. 501(c)(3) public charities can engage in a limited, but generous, amount of lobbying. Federal guidelines say: Insubstantial Test -No substantial part of a charity s activities be carrying on propaganda or otherwise attempting to influence legislation H Election - Clear definitions of various kinds of lobbying communications Clearly defined lobbying dollar limits and fewer items counting against those limits No personal penalties for charity that exceeds lobbying expenditure limits

12 What is NOT Lobbying Self-defense activity Nonpartisan analysis or research Examinations/discussions of social problems

13 Nonprofit Toolbox: Lobbying It s not the activity that constitutes lobbying, it s the content of the conversation Lobbying includes a specific vote yes or vote no on a piece of legislation or ballot initiative Ballot Initiatives are considered direct- why? The vote language is the clear line lobbying definitions are clear and distinct

14 Toolbox: Electoral Activity Voter Education Candidate Education Voter Registration Get Out The Vote

15 Toolbox: Electoral Activity Community organizations have credibility, trust and access to disengaged voters. Voter engagement invites our clients to take part in a positive and important process. You can increase the power of your organization. Elected officials know where communities turn out to vote- sites that are engaging voters will be noticed by elected officials who will likely respond better to your advocacy efforts.

16 Getting Started Let s get visionary How could it enhance our ability to fulfill our mission? Imagine what a strong and effective advocacy effort could accomplish Think beyond our personal, political preferences Start Internal It always comes back to the mission Build buy in board, key staff, community leaders Understand your policy priorities and capacity Build your team Know the law

17 Next Steps Find Allies Join forces with policy organizations Talk to other c (3) s with similar interest/service areas What else? Identify Audience/Areas of influence local decision makers, community, state-level Plan ahead key dates & deadlines Opportunities Resources *How will you engage your constituents?

18 Collaboration is the Key Colorado Center on Law and Policy Colorado Nonprofit Association Bell Policy Center AARP 9to5 Colorado Colorado Community Health Network Arts for Colorado Family Resource Association And many more!

19 Upcoming Opportunities 2017 Election- Local Offices School Board Ballot Measures 2018 Legislative Session 2018 Mid-term Elections

20 Participation Project Webinars 12/13/2017 1/18/2018 2/8/2018 2/28/2018

21 Building Power for our Sector

22 Resources -Participation Project Crcamerica.org/ParticipationProject Nonprofit VOTE Nonprofitvote.org (617) 867-VOTE Colorado Nonprofit Association ColoradoNonprofits.org (303) Alliance for Justice Afj.org (866) NP-LOBBY

23 Thank you!