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Social Work Lobby Day

Social Work Lobby Day. Helping our Legislators, One Day, and More Allan Barsky, JD, MSW, PhD Florida Atlantic University abarsky@fau.edu. Self-Identification. Not “lobbyist” – language important Not speaking on behalf of NASW, or your school/university Social work student

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Social Work Lobby Day

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  1. Social Work Lobby Day Helping our Legislators, One Day, and More Allan Barsky, JD, MSW, PhD Florida Atlantic University abarsky@fau.edu Barsky-Advocacy Training

  2. Self-Identification • Not “lobbyist” – language important • Not speaking on behalf of NASW, or your school/university • Social work student • Constituent of your district (know your district) - citizen • Concerned social worker – who works with…, or who practices in field of… Barsky-Advocacy Training

  3. Generalist Intervention Model Revised order for legislative advocacy: • Assessment and Planning • Engagement • Intervention • Evaluation and Follow-up Barsky-Advocacy Training

  4. Assessment and Planning • Prepare, prepare, prepare • Ideal – research on social issue, legislative process, specific legislation, legislators who you will meet • Appointment vs. Unannounced visit • Goal: support, thank, persuade, damage control, inform, offer help, establish rapport, raise awareness… Barsky-Advocacy Training

  5. Assessment & Planning Know who you are speaking with • Name, Position(s), Seniority • Party, Worldview/Values, Pet Projects • Pro, Con, Undecided, Uncertain regarding your advocacy issue Barsky, A. E. (2007). Conflict resolution for the helping professions. Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole. Influencing State Policy - http://www.statepolicy.org Contest $1,000.00 Barsky-Advocacy Training

  6. Assessment & Planning • Handouts – business card, brief, letters, petitions, websites • Dress and Presentation – what image do you want to convey? • Small groups of students – who will speak to which issue, order, not overwhelming person [designate: observation and feedback] Barsky-Advocacy Training

  7. Assessment and Planning Psychological Preparation • Confident, but not arrogant • Self-messages • Anxiety reduction strategies • Start easy • Practice – what, how you say (role-play with others, or with mirror) • OK to be nervous–real/not professional lobbyist Barsky-Advocacy Training

  8. Engage • Greeting, Introduction • Assess responsiveness – body language, tone of voice • Thank, Show Appreciation • Making connections, if appropriate • Roger’s Core Conditions: • Empathic understanding • Unconditional positive regard • Genuineness • Getting down to business Barsky-Advocacy Training

  9. Intervention Refer back to your goal: • Providing information • Persuasion • Offering support, thanks • Raising awareness Link discussion to your goal Balance – you / legislator Do I ask, or do I tell? Barsky-Advocacy Training

  10. Intervention - Information • Clear, concise, to the point • Evidence – research, experience, anecdotes • Interesting, creative presentation • Gauge how is legislator responding? (e.g., yawn or rolls eyes…) Barsky-Advocacy Training

  11. Intervention - Persuasion Constructive use of power • Personal Process • Expert Nuisance • Resource Legitimate • Associational Sanction • Moral Habitual Work with person, not debate, threat, or fight Barsky-Advocacy Training

  12. Intervention – Support Legislator already on side • Thank • Offer help, ask how • Invite suggestions for who else to speak with, and how • Show empathy – e.g., may not be taking a politically popular position – esp., defending rights of a minority Barsky-Advocacy Training

  13. Intervention – Raising Awareness • Ask questions (may already know) • Information – reframe to help recipient hear, acknowledge issue • Stories with emotional impact • Humor (if appropriate, may be risky) • Not asking for a specific response, right away (long-term goal) • Help to put issue on table; offers words to encourage discourse Barsky-Advocacy Training

  14. Evaluation and Follow-Up • Offers of help or follow-up • Requests for meetings in home district • Feedback from observers • Take notes to remind • Report concerns to: Professors, NASW – request help, if needed • Thank you notes • Follow up with assistants, legislators Barsky-Advocacy Training

  15. AVOID • Lecturing, Rambling • Condescending, partisan-political, or unprofessional language • Disrespectful body language • Raw expressions of anger • Over-intellectualizing • Veiled threats or bribes • Bad breath  Barsky-Advocacy Training

  16. Conclusions • Be prepared • Do good – Roger’s conditions alone = success (reflects on you, SW, clients) • Learn – perfection not required • Take pride in what you accomplish • Social justice and advocacy – not just one day – whole career, and whatever you choose to put into them Barsky-Advocacy Training

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