Advocacy v. Lobbying

1. Advocacy v. Lobbying Iowa Cancer Summit October 2, 2009 Peggy Huppert, American Cancer Society Lynh Patterson, Iowa Department of Public Health

2. What you’ll learn • What is advocacy? • What is lobbying? • Laws that apply to nonprofits for lobbying. • Lobbying restrictions from funding on nonprofit lobbying. • Best practices for advocacy and lobbying.

3. Restrictions from Funding Office of Management and Budget circular A-122, section 25. Costs that can not be charged to federal government by a nonprofit grantee for lobbying activities. http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/rewrite/circulars/a122/a122.html

4. Restrictions from Funding 1) Attempts to influence the outcomes of any Federal, State, or local election, referendum, initiative, or similar procedure, through in kind or cash contributions, endorsements, publicity, or similar activity; (2) Establishing, administering, contributing to, or paying the expenses of a political party, campaign, political action committee, or other organization established for the purpose of influencing the outcomes of elections;

5. Restrictions from Funding IDPH contracts for federal funding – general conditions. a. No Federal appropriated funds have been paid or will be paid, by or on behalf of the CONTRACTOR, to any person for influencing or attempting to influence an officer or employee of any agency, a member of Congress, an officer or employee of Congress, or an employee of a member of Congress in connection with the awarding of any Federal contract, the making of any Federal grant, the making of any Federal loan, the entering into of any cooperative agreement, or the extension, continuation, renewal, amendment, or modification of any Federal contract, grant, loan, or cooperative agreement.

6. Iowa Lobbying Laws • Iowa Code Chapter 68B Ethics/Lobbying Law 68B.2(13)(a)(3) defines lobbyist 68B.5A(3) defines ban on lobbying activities • Iowa Administrative Code 351 Chapter 8: Executive Branch Lobbying • Iowa Ethics and Campaign Disclosure Board governs Executive branch http://www.state.ia.us/ethics/lobbying_ndex.htm • House and Senate Ethics Committee governs Legislative branch

8. 10 Habits of Highly Effective Advocates Determine who you need to contact Build relationships/coalitions Make your contact memorable Be assertive in a polite way Ask for what you want Be direct, brief and clear Ask Thanks 6. Follow up each contact 7. Educate early 8. Do your homework Remember to use the news media Don’t give up

9. Best Ways to Advocate • One-on-One Visits • Schedule an • appointment. • Visit one-on-one or in • small groups • Leave something in • writing. • E-mail • Not all read their e- • emails consistently • Check if this is a good • form of contact • Letter • Plain, personal, or business stationery • Never send a form letter • Identify yourself as a constituent • Identify your organization • Send originals, not copies

10. Best Ways to Advocate • Telephone • Capitol or at home • Staff: clerks Third-Party Contacts Find others who share your message to contact legislators • Forums and Community Meetings • Talk to legislators before and • after – form a relationship with • your legislator • Get others to come • Capitol Events • Lobbying Days: Breakfast, lunch, Reception • Awareness event

11. Mistakes to Avoid • Never use generalities • Never guess or lie • Do not mix politics with policy/never mix money • and issues • Never threaten • Do not make promises you cannot keep • Never criticize other elected officials or • organizations • Do not call them by the wrong title

12. Ways to Engage the Media Submit letters to the editor. Talk to reporters about the issues, ask for a news story. Submit news releases about your issues and activities. Ask to visit with the Editorial Board about your issues or submit memos to the ED Board. Remember: People and Personal Stories sell the media.

13. Thank you