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Grassroots Advocacy Strategies for Association Members

Grassroots Advocacy Strategies for Association Members. Overview – Covered Today. How to make the most out of meetings with officials Pros and cons of having a “Legislative Day” at the Florida Capitol Tools Regulations. 2017 Special Session Update.

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Grassroots Advocacy Strategies for Association Members

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  1. Grassroots Advocacy Strategies for Association Members

  2. Overview – Covered Today • How to make the most out of meetings with officials • Pros and cons of having a “Legislative Day” at the Florida Capitol • Tools • Regulations

  3. 2017 Special Session Update • Gov. Rick Scott Friday called lawmakers in for a June special session, June 7 through June 9. • Lawmakers will consider • tentative agreement to fund Visit Florida, • create an infrastructure fund controlled by Scott, and • boost education funding, which was also a priority for Scott. • Scott has signed the budget and vetoed $410 million worth of funding, money that will be used to finance other elements of the special session deal. • The three-day special session will begin at 9 a.m. June 7.

  4. Mobilizing the Membership

  5. Support for Mobilization • Establish an Advocacy or Legislative committee • The value of the committee : their voices represent the industry and potentially a mass of people = voters. • Legislators (usually) trust people from the industry • Acknowledge that the legislative process is • Mystifying or intimidating or maybe even … boring • Provide trainings on the process to help them understand process and issues.

  6. Message to Membership • Advocacy – from Dictionary.com the act of pleading for, supporting, or recommending; active espousal: He was known for his advocacy of states' rights. • Grassrootsthe common or ordinary people, especially as contrasted with the leadership or elite of a political party, social organization, etc.; the rank and file.

  7. Know the Process to help your members. Best Times for Advocates to make an impact on an actual bill. Step 1. Before the Legislative Session beings. Step 5. Committee Process

  8. Sometimes making Laws is like ….

  9. Legislative Goals If you are going to visit policy makers in your district: Determine what you wants to achieve and discuss it with the board to make sure everyone is in agreement. • Create a new law • Amend an existing law • Increase or gain funding – from General Revenue or other source • Start a pilot project • Get a resolution created • Educate policy makers about your industry

  10. Grassroots Advocacy Activities • Meetings with Legislators at their offices • Bring officials to your site through visits, events, tours • If possible give officials a role, let them serve the kids! • Communications through mail and email – mass or individual • Attendance at local delegation meetings – for generating awareness • LAC at the Capitol

  11. Communication Strategies Written Materials • These documents are a statement of your association’s philosophy or position on certain issues, laws, rules, codes of conduct, or specific situation – GET THIS FROM FSNA • Given to legislators, association members and non-members and other stakeholders • Remember …. all communications with policy makers should be strategic

  12. Legislative Visits Making the most out of visits with legislators; at the Capitol or in the District.

  13. Visit Communication Strategy • Schedule in advance • Before – talking points and plan • Arrive early – greet staff • Meeting Flow after Introductions • Set the stage & introductions • Provide relevant anecdote/story • Tie to issue, funding, bill, amendment • Another anecdote, story or detail. Very specific plan in advance • Watch legislator to see if they have questions or comments • Take notes Send Thank you’s and Follow ups!

  14. Challenges and Disagreement • Be prepared - policy makers don’t always commit to helping. Be ready to try again. • It’s okay to challenge. Try to start with – With all due respect …. • Stay calm, positive, focused • Be willing to listen to what they have to say • Sometimes it’s necessary to bring the conversation back to the issue • Persistence is important and they generally respect it • Find out if you and your member can help them in any way

  15. Don’ts • Take pictures or shoot video without asking first • Name drop or tell stories about who you know • Be overly flattering or deferential • Complain or tell personal stories that are not representative of, or in support of the issue • Provide mis-information or answer questions if you don’t know the answer.

  16. Passion and Creativity Passion and Creativity are wonderful and important, but always maintain a respectful demeanor.

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