Grassroots Advocacy After March 17. Sarah Weissmann, Grassroots Program Manager 2015 Legislative Training Conference

Transcription

1 Grassroots Advocacy After March 17 Sarah Weissmann, Grassroots Program Manager 2015 Legislative Training Conference

2 Agenda Immediately After March 17 What is a Field Plan? Field Plan Components Calendar Working with All Levels of NARFE Worksheet Questions and Answers

3 Immediately After March 17 Thank You and Follow-Up Schedule Next Meeting Determine Additional Outreach Town Hall Meetings Drop Off Magazine Community Events Next Recess: March 30 April 10

4 What is a Field Plan?

5 Field Plan Components Goals Targets Tactics Capacity Planning Timing

6 Long-Term Goals NARFE member participation in grassroots advocacy Quantity and Quality Amplifying Our Message Training NARFE members Short-Term Meeting with Legislator in August Writing Letters to the Editors to Amplify Our Message Public Service Recognition Week Speaking At Chapter Meetings About Legislation NARFE Goals and Your Goals

7 Goals Be Realistic but Think Big

8 Targeting for 2015 When Prioritizing, Consider: Is the Member in Leadership? Is the Member a Committee Chair? What committee(s) does your Member serve on? What past statements has the Member made? What is the Member s NARFE voting record? Sources of Information PAH Toolkits Member of Congress Websites Internet Search Legislative Action Center

9 Tactics Tactics Chosen Depend On: Skill Resources Timing Member of Congress Goals and Benchmarks

10 Tactics Sharing Your Story Personal Letters LTEs and Op-Eds Face-to-Face Meetings Call Congress Community Participation Utilizing Your Newsletter Engaging Coalition Partners

11 Capacity Planning Look at Your Resources Be Honest with Yourself Ask Questions How many chapters can we count on? When do our chapters meet? How do chapters communicate with NARFE members? Does geography impact our plan? Are there events that might impact our ability to advocate? Have changing politics impacted which chapters or areas of states we might focus on?

12 Timing Work Backwards Create a Timeline Including setbacks or the unexpected What tactics are easy to do given your availability, resources and the overall timeline to help you reach your goal?

13 Budget Deadlines The Schedule February 2 President s Budget Released March 15 Debt Ceiling Reached March 31 Doc Fix Expires April 15 Congressional Budget Deadline May 31 Highway Trust Fund Expires June 15 Budget Reconciliation Summer Appropriations Recesses House and Senate Websites Usually around holidays NARFE Website

14 Working with All Levels of NARFE Work Collaboratively Utilize NARFE Resources Toolkits Monthly Protect America s Heartbeat Calls Monthly Webinars Check-In Tell Us About Your Experiences

15 Reviewing Your Field Plan Schedule Reviews Meet with Your Team NARFE Staff Can Help Incentive Challenge

16 Re-Cap A Field Plan is Your Grassroots Road Map There are several components to consider as you develop your field plan Goals Targets Tactics Capacity Planning Timing and Calendar Work Collaboratively with NARFE Worksheet the Campaign NARFE Headquarters always available as second set of eyes or to worksheet your Field Plan with You.

17 Questions Sarah Weissmann Grassroots Program Manager , ext 263 NARFE Legislative Department , ext. 261 Share Your Experiences: