Telling Your Story: Making a Strong Case for Your Advocacy Agenda Capitol Hill Day 2014 May 15, 2014
Agenda Factors that Influence Members of Congress How Interest Groups Like the YWCA Shape Public Policy Advocacy Story Tips A Closer Look at the Story Pulling it All Together Materials Forthcoming/Homework Final Webinar Scheduled on May 29, 2014 1
Factors that Influence Members of Congress President of the United States (POTUS) The Media Political Parties Constituents Lobbyists Interest Groups 2
How Interest Groups like YWCAs Shape Public Policy Coalition Work: Advancing or opposing legislation that achieves common agenda National/Grassroots- Grasstops Advocacy: Promoting or opposing legislation/amendments, working with Committee staff on signature legislation or key provisions of a bill Resources Research Statistics Anecdotes or personal stories 3
Advocacy Story Tips Keep it brief Stick to highlights Emotion should move, not overwhelm Motivate with hope and success Make an ask 4
Key Ingredients in Effective Storytelling on Capitol Hill Character Theme An effective story has Setting Conflict Plot 5
Closer Look at the Story Character: Identify central character = woman or a family that your local association serves. Setting: Include city/state your local YW is located, programs you deliver, how the services are unique in your local community. A sense of urgency and critical need should be relayed here. Plot: Lay out series of events and/ or character actions Conflict: What are the main obstacles, challenges, barriers in achieving goals/dream Theme: For example: hope, despair, frustration, determination, success 6
Linking the Story, the Statistics and the Ask Advocacy Issue for Capitol Hill Day #1 Statistics Story Reduce Gun Homicides Related to Gun Violence Nearly 1 in 5 of all women killed in the U.S. with the use of a firearm have previously obtained protective orders against their abusers. A survivor of domestic violence who benefitted from our financial literacy program told us her story: her ex-husband attempted to kill her and son with a gun, even though she had a protection order. If there were stronger enforcement of gun laws, women like her wouldn t have to fear for their safety and security. Ask Co-Sponsor the Domestic Violence Criminal Disarmament Act (H.R. 3566), which would improve protections for domestic violence victims through strengthened laws around firearms enforcement. 7
Linking the Story, the Statistics and the Ask Advocacy Issue for Capitol Hill Day #2 Comprehensive Immigration Reform (CIR) Statistics Immigrants in the United States make up 26.2% of the country s population and 80% are working age. In the U.S., 1,392,518 children have 1 or 2 immigrant parents. 51.3% of the immigrant population are women and 3,036,169 are single immigrant mothers. Story A young woman came to the local YWCA for job training. She originally immigrated to the United States through a visa but it expired. She owns a small business, is an active community member, and has 1 child who was born in the U.S. She is at risk of being deported without a pathway to citizenship-- one of key provisions of CIR. House Ask: Co-Sponsor H.R. 15 and sign the discharge petition to bypass committee and bring the bill to the Floor for an immediate vote 8
Pulling It All Together Introductions Who we Are: About the YWCA Linking the Statistics, The Story, The Ask Capitol Hill Day Priorities (Multi-Issue) Repeal the Sequester Pass Comprehensive Immigration Reform Reduce Domestic Violence Homicides Related to Guns 9
Materials 1. Telling Your Story on Capitol Hill -includes Story Collection Worksheet (POSTED) 2. Meeting with an Elected Official (POSTED) 3. Six Practical Tips on How to Lobby (POSTED) 4. Map of Capitol Hill (POSTED) 5. Social Media Tips (FORTHCOMING) 6. Letter Outlining Capitol Hill Day Agenda to Senators/Representatives (FORTHCOMING) 7. State Fact Sheets on Advocacy Issues (FORTHCOMING) Materials available for download at http://bit.ly/hillday2014 10
Capitol Hill Day Webinar #3 Legislative Overview May 29, 2014 @ 3:00 EDT All Three Capitol Hill Day 2014 Webinars will be recorded and available on the YWCA Intranet: http://bit.ly/hillday2014
Q & A Questions? Email advocacy@ywca.org