Civic Engagement for Community Change

Transcription

1 Civic Engagement for Community Change Presented by: Maria Fabula President & CEO

2 Agenda Community Resource Center A roadmap to real change Demystifying Advocacy The Rules Toolbox: Lobbying & Voter Engagement Getting Started 2018.and beyond!

3 Introductions Community Resource Center Name & Preferred Pronouns (she/her/hers; he/him/his; they/them/their) Title & Organization Mission Why are you here today?

4 A Roadmap 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 A Roadmap for Change NPO s 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. 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.

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

7 Defining Advocacy Community Resource Center

8 Full Cycle Advocacy Community Resource Center

9 Your Turn Community Resource Center How does advocacy relate to your mission? What could be gained? What could be lost?

10 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

11 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.

12 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

13 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

14 Building Capacity for Civic Engagement Community Resource Center The purpose of the Participation Project is to guide, train, and support human service nonprofits in their nonpartisan civic engagement efforts.

15 Toolbox: Civic Engagement Voter Education Candidate Education Voter Registration Get Out The Vote

16 Toolbox: Civic Engagement Voter engagement promotes: empowerment inclusivity community engagement

17 For Our Clients Invites clients to take part in a positive and important process A patient s perceived sense of being able to influence his or her own life is linked to better health outcomes in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, HIV, depression and other chronic diseases. (Alvy, 2010, National Civic Review, 2010) For Our Organizations Increase the power of your organization Elected Officials respond better Voting Matters Community Resource Center For Our Communities Community dialogue about government decisions create governmental policies more in line with the desires of residents, including residents not active in the organization

18 Nonprofit Impact: Elections Source: Nonprofit VOTE- Track the Vote, 2012 Increase political engagement among populations who have been traditionally underrepresented in the democratic process. Source: Nonprofit VOTE- Track the Vote, 2012

19 Nonprofit Nonprofit Impact: Elections Intervention by nonprofits had the biggest impact among lowpropensity voters those most likely to be ignored by campaigns. Source: Nonprofit VOTE- Track the Vote, 2012 Three times more likely to vote than their counterparts among all registered voters.

20 Voter Engagement Community Resource Center Voter Registration & Pledges to Vote Voter & Candidate Education Demystifying the process Candidate Forums Get-Out-The-Vote reminders Election Day Transportation, Poll Workers, Polling Sites

21 Voter Engagement Strategies Set up a table in your lobby/waiting room At health/service fairs At job training and other classes Integrated with intake In one-on-one services At back to school events When hiring staff

22 Next Steps Community Resource Center 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

23 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!

24 Upcoming Opportunities 2018 Mid-Term Elections U.S House Governor State Offices Local Offices Ballot Measures 2019 Legislative Session

25 Building Power for our Sector

26 Resources Community Resource Center Community Resource Center -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

27 Thank you!