Advocacy Training “Tools for Political Engagement” Sponsored by The Chartrand Foundation

1. Advocacy Training “Tools for Political Engagement”Sponsored by The Chartrand Foundation

2. Contact Information Joe Theissen Contact: Office: 202-380-1780 theissen@voices.org Twitter: @jtheissen

3. Voices for America’s ChildrenNation’s Largest Network of state and local-based multi-issue children’s advocacy organizations63 Members in 48 states, the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin IslandsFlorida member: Children’s Campaign (Fl)

4. Learning Objectives/Goals Improve your skills as an advocate for children and families Develop understanding of different forms of advocacy Provide some “tips” to improve your communications skills Explore strategies for linking social media and advocacy.

5. Together We Will…. Define different forms of advocacy Discuss strategies, tools and tactics for effective policy advocacy Explore differentiated audience messaging Examine how to use low-cost, high-impact social media (Facebook, Twitter, Change.org) Do some advocacy role-play to hone skills

6. What Today is NOT A policy primer A political primer Intended to address “legal” issues except in a general sense

7. Why Do This Work? We care about kids…all kids We worry about our nation’s future We worry about declining public investments We see system change as critical

8. If you are not convinced we have a problem…. Let’s review… Poverty (children under 18) Nationally: 22% Florida: 24% 4th Grade Reading (Not Proficient; 2011 NAEP data) Nationally: 32% Florida: 63% (rank #33) Food “Hardship” Florida: 30% (rank #4) North Dakota: 16%

9. Pledge for children www.voices.org

10. InspirationBreak

13. So what is advocacy?

14. Advocacy The act of pleading or arguing in favor of something, such as a cause, idea, or policy; active support.

15. Reasons to Engage in Advocacy • Bridge between service projects and policy • Systems change • “Policy happens” • You can help make a difference!

16. Advocacy Can Help Shape Public Policy

17. Types of Advocacy • Client Advocacy • Legislative Advocacy • Administrative Advocacy • Electoral advocacy • Legal advocacy • Collaboration • Public Education

18. Levels of Advocacy • Local • School boards • Township • City • County • State • Federal

19. Community-Based Child Advocacy is Vital

20. Public Policy is a part of Community Impact Government action can significantly impact community-level change – both positively and negatively • Access • Barriers

21. Constitutionally protected: “Right to Petition for Redress of Grievances….” Nonprofits can lobby! Resources on nonprofit lobbying: Alliance for Justice (www.afj.org) Charity Lobbying in the Public Interest (www.clpi.org). Lobbying? Advocacy?

22. Lobbying by a 501(c)(3) organization is LEGAL! • Tax code has always allowed some lobbying by nonprofits. • 1976 Public Charity Lobby Law (PL 94-455) and subsequent regulations specify rules for nonprofit lobbying. • In 1990, IRS established guidelines for complying with 1976 lobby law under Section 501(h) and 4911.

23. Questions, Comments, Observations?

24. Write letters Make phone calls Meet with your elected officials Organize clients that benefit from service Contact media Letters to the editor Gather public support Work in coalition/identify partners Advocacy Tactics

25. Objective Target Group Strategies 5W’s and an H Communication Tools Evaluation An Advocacy Plan

26. The 5Ws and the H Know Whom to bring. Know What to bring. Know When is the best time to schedule visits. Know Where you will meet. Know Why you are there. Know How to make your case. Know what you don’t know. Advocacy Strategy

27. You must adapt to a changed and not always sympathetic political environment Elected officials need to understand: The importance of the issue The amount of money required to make it viable You want to them to understand the issue as you do Shaping the Message

28. Show Respect No one will listen if not accorded respect Be sincere Turn the other cheek Respond by REFRAMING the Discussion Don’t counter/negate facts alone “Frames” trump facts Once you reframe, everything else you say is accepted as common sense Messaging: Frames & Values**

29. Think and Talk at the Level of Values…Pick values relevant to your message • Fairness • Security • Prosperity • Opportunity • Freedom

30. Examples of Values-based Frames “If people don’t have health care, it’s their own fault. They are not working hard enough or managing their money well.”

31. “Frameshift” Most of the nearly fifty million Americans who cannot afford health care work at full-time jobs that do not pay them enough to get health care…

32. “We should cut taxes—people know how to spend their money better than government…” Reframe: “Wise investments are made with tax dollars. Our interstate highway system, for example. You couldn’t build a highway system with your tax refund. Nor could individuals create their own Internet or National Cancers Institute.”

33. Be clear Be specific Personalize the presentation Keep your presentation brief Know your priorities Put it in writing Put it in context Talking the Talk

34. Identify the issue. Shape it Frame it Cite a personal connection or describe the local impact Use key facts to support your case. Make a specific “ask” Say thank you and request a follow-up Legislative Meeting

35. Be on time Be a constituent Look the part Be positive Stay focused Remain calm – no matter what! Don’t get discouraged Know when to stop Be appreciative Rules for Successful Visits

36. Address just one issue per letter Keep it short Use plain English Cite facts/stories Offer to provide further detail Include your name, address, zip, and phone number Writing Letters

37. Call your elected official at his/her office Identify yourself and where you are from Keep your comments brief Be sure to make specific requests of your elected official Make sure to do research/share stories and be ready to send background information to the office. Phone Calling

38. Questions, Comments, Observations?

39. Fiscal Roadblocks….What you will hear: • We cannot afford to do the right thing • Come back when the budget climate is better • Balancing the budget is more important than meeting the demonstrable long-term needs of children

40. Fiscal Austerity (HALT!) • Not enough to be a child policy advocate, you must be a budget advocate • Budgets are statements about priorities • Statements of What is Important, Vital • Budgets are NOT “Accounting-Green Eye Shade Exercises”

41. 41 Non-Defense Discretionary Spending Cuts Far Below Historical Levels

42. Nearly Half of NDD Spending is Grants to States; Low-Income Programs

43. Budget “Framing” Children and Youth did not cause the deficit and should not be expected to solve it… Children and Youth are the future Children’s Programs are a declining % of spending Children’s Programs ARE proven investments

44. Investment Messaging Research shows that the earlier investments are made in high-quality programs the greater the return on investment Every $1 of public investment in high-quality program returns as much as $7-$10 to taxpayers

45. Framing Exercise Pick a critical issue policy issue Create a values frame to message around it Agree on the best way to present it budget/fiscal impact Agree on the best outcome(s)

46. Summing Up… What have we learned? What Is to Be Done?

47. We do this work not because it is easy, but because it is hard and must be done The choices are not that hard, but the consequences of making the wrong choices could be devastating

48. www.voices.org