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Tips for Local Congressional Engagement & Grassroots Advocacy

Learn why local engagement and grassroots activities are important and gain tips for effective congressional engagement. Understand the roles of state and district congressional staff and how to build credibility. Cultivate relationships with lawmakers and staff, schedule visits and tours, and develop new ideas and initiatives. Establish credibility by providing useful information, involving independent constituents, and showing appreciation. Remember to tell your story and make a lasting impression. Key success factors include networking, knowledge of programs and regulations, and being part of the intergovernmental process.

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Tips for Local Congressional Engagement & Grassroots Advocacy

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  1. Tips for Local Congressional Engagement & Grassroots Advocacy Ted Stiger Director of Government Relations & Policy

  2. Presentation Overview • Why should you and your organization be involved in local and grassroots advocacy • Understanding the different roles of state/district congressional staff & building creditability • Tips and strategies for effective local congressional engagement

  3. Why do local engagement and grassroots activities locally? • The work we do depends on it • Rural communities depend on it • One of largest capital investments in a small town is the water system • These are public dollars and community investments • Raises your organization’s and RCAP National Network visibility

  4. Tips for Local Congressional Engagement

  5. Target Audiences KEY POINT: To be truly effective as a Grassroots Advocate, you need to know both the staff in DC and staff in the district/state. • Member of Congress • State or District Staff • Project Directors • Case Workers

  6. How Can Your Lawmakers & Staff Help You? • Introduce or Cosponsor Legislation • Sponsor / Sign Dear Colleague Letter on Issue • Vote on a Bill or Amendment in Committee or on Floor • Send Letters to Federal Agencies on Specific Issues • Support Letter for Federal Grant Applications • Talk with Committee Chairman or Congressional Leadership about Local Issues

  7. Cultivate Newly Elected Members (Before the election, during transition & immediately after election) Identify Local Connections to Lawmakers & Staff Schedule Visits and Tours of Projects near or after Completion Assist in Development of New Ideas& Initiatives (Match issues to committee assignments) Invite to meetings, board events and announcements Key Activities to Building Relationships

  8. 1. Tours of Successful Projects 2. Provide timely, concise & useful information Always provide 1-page summary with specific request Follow-up with additional reports and information Establishing Credibility

  9. 3.Ask “independent” constituents and communities to tell your story 4.Give Thanks and Praise Awards and Recognition Thank You Note after Each Meeting / Action Establishing Credibility

  10. Tips for Local Congressional Engagement • Writing, e-mailing, calling and visiting legislators in DC are all essential steps in building relationships and delivering messages…BUT • The most effective method for educating members of Congress and staff is to have them visit your organization and project sites

  11. Tips for Local Congressional Engagement • Invite members and their DC staff to visit your office or take a tour of a current project • Recognize lawmakers for key accomplishments • Involve key contacts, such as local community officials and business leaders, in the meetings or site visits

  12. Tips for Local Congressional Engagement • Best time to invite members and staff is during congressional recesses • More relaxed and away from DC • When a member is first elected

  13. Tips for Local Congressional Engagement • Remember that people in the communities we serve are our best advocates • Make sure to communicate the event with local media • Follow-up to the visit or meeting is just as important as the actual event

  14. Tips for Local Congressional Engagement The Art of Saying Thank You • Most common mistake of lobbyists and grassroots advocates is forgetting to say thanks! • Reasons to thank your lawmakers, include: • Vote taken on floor or in committee • Sponsor or cosponsor important legislation • Taking the time for a personal meeting • Signed “Dear Colleague” letter on a specific issue • Election/ reelection to Congress or leadership position • Support on local project or issues

  15. Keys to Success: • You must make the effort; No one else cares as much about your organization as you! • As Yogi Berra said, "You have to give 100 percent in the first half of the game. If that isn't enough, in the 2nd half, you have to give what is left." • Become a trusted partner who delivers on promises and delivers high-quality services and products to rural communities • Play politics, but never partisan politics!

  16. Keys to Success • However, You Must Tell Your Story… • Regular Visits and Face-to-Face Meetings • Profession Web Site… Making A First Impression! • Program Impact Reports and Power Points • Annual Report with Humanized Stories & Impact • Professionally-Designed Newsletters and Reports • Informed Board Members and Partners to Reinforce Your Message and Credibility

  17. Keys to Success: Strengths • Networks of people and communities, as well as Private Sector, Nonprofit and Federal and State Partners • Knowledge of federal and state programs and regulations – problem solvers • Intermediary between local communities, states, federal government, and practitioners – You are part of the intergovernmental process!

  18. Questions?

  19. Western RCAPRural CommunityAssistance Corporation(916) 447-2854www.rcac.org Midwest RCAPMidwest Assistance Program(952) 758-4334www.map-inc.org Southern RCAPCommunities Unlimited(479) 443-2700www.communitiesu.org Northeast RCAPRCAP Solutions(800) 488-1969www.rcapsolutions.org Great Lakes RCAPWSOS Community Action Commission(800) 775-9767www.glrcap.org Southeast RCAPSoutheast Rural Community Assistance Project(866) 928-3731www.southeastrcap.org Rural Community Assistance Partnership Practical solutions for improving rural communities RCAP National Office 1701 K St. NW, Suite 700 Washington, DC 20006 (800) 321-7227www.rcap.org | info@rcap.org

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