Beyond the Beltway INFLUENCING FEDERAL POLICY THROUGH GRASSROOTS ENGAGEMENT J A N U A R Y 2 2, 2 0 1 6
Agenda Summary 2:00 pm - Welcome and Overview Becky Taylor, GMA Staff 2:10 pm- Meet Your Neighbor 2:20 pm - Meet the Presenters 2:30 pm - Insider Perspective How Members of Congress Effect Change and How You Can Help Jamila Thompson, Legislative Director, Congressman John Lewis 2:50 pm - Your Voice Matters: The Importance of Staying Engaged Amy Turner, Regional Representative, Senator Johnny Isakson 3:00 pm - Q&A 3:10 pm - BREAK 3:25 pm - GMA Federal Policy Process, Federal Policy Council, and Federal Advocacy Becky Taylor, GMA 3:50 pm - Tips for Messaging and Communicating with Federal Leaders Angelina Panettieri, NLC Principal Associate for Technology and Communications 4:20 pm - Group Exercise 4:40 pm - Wrap Up / Questions 4:55 pm - Evaluation
Welcome and Overview WELCOME MEET THE PRESENTERS
Insider Perspective: HOW MEMBERS OF CONGRESS EFFECT CHANGE AND HOW YOU CAN HELP Jamila Thompson, Legislative Director, Congressman John Lewis
Your Voice Matters: THE IMPORTANCE OF STAYING ENGAGED Amy Turner, Regional Representative, Senator Johnny Isakson
Beyond the Beltway BREAK
GMA Federal Advocacy GMA FEDERAL POLICY PROCESS, FEDERAL POLICY COUNCIL, AND FEDERAL ADVOCACY Becky Taylor, GMA Staff
Georgia Congressional Districts
Georgia s Senators Senator Johnny Isakson Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs - Chair Senate Select Committee on Ethics - Chair Senate Committee on Finance Senate Committee on Foreign Relations Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Senator David Perdue Senate Committee on the Budget Senate Committee on Foreign Relations Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Senate Committee on the Judiciary Senate Special Committee on Aging
Georgia s Congressmen, 114 th Congress 1. Rep. Buddy Carter 2. Rep. Sanford Bishop 3. Rep. Lynn Westmoreland 4. Rep. Hank Johnson 5. Rep. John Lewis 6. Rep. Tom Price 7. Rep. Rob Woodall 8. Rep. Austin Scott 9. Rep. Doug Collins 10. Rep. Jody Hice 11. Rep. Barry Loudermilk 12. Rep. Rick Allen 13. Rep. David Scott 14. Rep. Tom Graves
Federal Advocacy Matters Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it s the only thing that ever has. - Margaret Mead
GMA Federal Policy Council FPC created 2013 Encoded in GMA Bylaws 2015 Builds on existing relationships Furthers GMA mission to expand advocacy to all levels Advocates for GMA federal policy
GMA Federal Policy Council GMA 2 nd VP serves as Chair Incoming Chair is Albany Mayor Dorothy Hubbard Elected and appointed city officials may serve on the FPC At least one per Congressional district Currently 34 members
GMA Federal Policy Council Expectations Communication Share GMA priorities Strengthen connections Make visits Local examples
GMA Staff Support Track federal issues Work with NLC to get updates Talking points Newspaper articles Sample documents GMA website updates & resources Emails to FPC on action needed Work with legislative staff in DC Work with district staff in GA Gather local stories to use at meetings Answer questions of city officials and delegation staff Determine impact of issues on cities Update LPC and BOD on issues
GMA Staff Support Washington, D.C. Visits 4-5 times per year (issue-driven) Schedule one-on-one visits 2-3 issues max No fly-ins, receptions Schedule meetings with delegation members Travel arrangements Itinerary Talking points Follow-up with each office Ongoing communication with staff
GMA Staff Support District Visits Meet with district staff and city officials to discuss local issues Put a local face on the issues Share GMA resources (contact info, etc.) Provide details on impact to state and district Participate in Hometown Connections Grow statewide network Highlight the work of district staff Connect city officials to district resources
GMA Federal Advocacy How can you get involved? Serve on the FPC Invite delegation members and staff to local and regional meetings and events Invite delegation members and staff to GMA meetings and events Go to Washington, D.C. Meet one-on-one with the district staff Use media to thank delegation members and to call attention to federal issues in your city Participate in member town halls Stay in touch with GMA keep us in the loop Respond to calls for local examples Let us know when an issue impacts your city!
GMA Federal Advocacy: Build Relationships Be concise and prepared Be specific Use local examples Follow up Always say thank you
Build Relationships Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did, and it never will. - Frederick Douglass
Build Relationships Don't be a stranger to your elected officials and their staff members. Visits to Washington, DC Visits to District Offices Phone Calls, Emails, Text, Social Media The most persuasive messages come from familiar faces. It s just as important to know the staff as it is for them to know you. Invite elected officials and staff to your city for events, conversations, and photos.
Build Relationships Rhetoric is not important. Actions are. Nelson Mandela
NLC and GMA: Partners in Federal Advocacy TIPS FOR MESSAGING AND COMMUNICATING WITH FEDERAL LEADERS Angelina Panettieri, NLC Principal Associate for Technology and Communications
Beyond the Beltway ADVOCACY IN ACTION
Tips for Effective Advocacy During the Visit Be respectful Be direct and concise If you can t meet with the member, meet with a staff person
Tips for Effective Advocacy During the Visit If a member has opposed your issue, respond rationally, with facts. You are working on establishing a working relationship. You are building a base for communication.
Tips for Effective Advocacy During the Visit If a Member has a good or excellent record of support THANK THEM! Our friends in Congress need to know that their support is known and appreciated.
Tips for Effective Advocacy After the Visit Send a follow-up note or email summarizing the visit and thanking them Refer to the visit when contacting them in the future on the same issues Identify community partners to follow up with the members
Common Responses and What to Do The Member is noncommittal Ask questions to find out what they have been hearing on the issue Offer to provide more information (and do!) Try to determine what may affect the Member s decision and work on it back home Thank them for their time and follow up
Common Responses and What to Do The Member or staff person is new Become their resource person Provide a summary of the issue and follow up with materials, articles, etc. Always be respectful, don t discount a novice
Common Responses and What to Do The Member disagrees with your position Find out why and provide facts to dispel fears Listen and be objective Get help from allies in the community (Chamber of Commerce, local businesses, others) Use the media to present your case
Common Responses and What to Do The Member disagrees with your position Listen and learn: see if they have a point that should be addressed Go on to another issue, respect their opinion, and don t be argumentative
Common Responses and What to Do The Member agrees with your position Thank them for their support! Ask how you can be a resource to help pass (or defeat) the issues Offer to provide local examples or documentation to support their stance and provide backup
Qualities of an Effective Advocate Educates staff/member and is a resource to them Customizes issues and offers local examples Creates trust by providing facts Takes enough time, but not too much time
Thank You You must work, we must all work to make the world worthy of its children. Casals
Questions? Becky Taylor btaylor@gmanet.com 678-686-6276