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October 9,2012. Charting the Course : How do you manage an effective advocacy campaign and steer clear of prohibited lobbying and political activities?. Susan Reinhard, PhD, RN, FAAN Senior Vice President & Director, AARP Public Policy Institute; Chief Strategist, Center to Champion
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October 9,2012 Charting the Course : How do you manage an effective advocacy campaign and steer clear of prohibited lobbying and political activities?
Susan Reinhard, PhD, RN, FAAN Senior Vice President & Director, AARP Public Policy Institute; Chief Strategist, Center to Champion Nursing in America www.campaignforaction.org/webinars
Campaign for Action Pillars Interprofessional Collaboration Diversity DATA
AARP and Advocacy • Campaign is coordinated through the Center to Champion Nursing in America, an initiative of AARP, the AARP Foundation, and RWJF • AARP by itself is able to fully engage in policy and advocacy such as: • CMS - Graduate Nurse Education Demonstration (GNE) • AARP State Office Support
Susan B. Hassmiller, PhD, RN, FAAN, • RWJF Senior Advisor for Nursing and • Director, Future of Nursing: Campaign for • Action
Engaging Lawmakers • Lawmakers benefit when you: • Tell them about health and health care concerns in their states and districts • Share your solutions • Show how nurses can expand access, improve quality and contain costs We need to build relationships!
But RWJF cannot provide funds or resources to Engage in direct or grassroots lobbying activities Political campaign intervention Kristen Gurdin, RWJF legal counsel
Charting the Course: Managing Effective Advocacy and Steering Clear of Prohibited Activities Kristen Gurdin, Counsel Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
ACs Campaign for Action Rules • ACs are free to engage in direct lobbying, grassroots lobbying and political campaign activity without RWJF/CCNA funds and resources.
Requirements for all ACs If ACs and their members plan to lobby or conduct political activities in a coordinated way, they must: 1. Provide advance notice to ensure proper coordination of activities 2. Include a disclaimer 3. Avoid using RWJF or CCNA funds, products, or names
Requirements for RWJF/CCNA funds/resources • No direct lobbying • No grassroots lobbying • No political campaign intervention • No description of such activities in the Campaign for Action community unless appropriate clarifications are used
Why Do We Care? 2 Flavors of Charities - subject to different rules: Public Charities Private Foundations
Where are the lines? • DIRECT LOBBYING • GRASSROOTS LOBBYING • POLITICAL ACTIVITIES
DIRECT LOBBYING • DIRECT COMMUNICATION WITH LEGISLATOR/GOVT. OFFICIAL • REFERS TO LEGISLATION • REFLECTS A VIEW ON LEGISLATION
GRASSROOTS LOBBYING • COMMUNICATE WITH GENERAL PUBLIC • REFER TO LEGISLATION • REFLECT A VIEW • TELL THE PUBLIC WHAT TO DO ( A CALL TO ACTION)
CALL TO ACTION • Ask audience to contact the legislator. • Provide contact information for legislator. • Provide a vehicle for contacting the legislator (form email, petition). • Identify legislator as supporting, opposing, being undecided or on the voting committee. • Identify the audience’s legislative representative.
Examples • Call to Action on AC Letterhead • AC Event with elected officials in audience • AC guide on voting records • AC petition campaign • AC legislative testimony • AC technical assistance with bill drafting
3 Exceptions 1. Refer to a ballot initiative and reflect a view. 2. Pay for a mass media ad within 2 weeks of a vote that: (1) reflects a view on the legislation and (2) either refers to legislation or encourages the public to communicate with legislators on the subject of the legislation. 3. Use nonlobbying materials for grassroots lobbying within 6 months of creation.
Can We Do It? 4 Key Questions • Audience? Who are we trying to reach? • Topic? What is discussed? • Message? What is the ask or takeaway? • Means? How will we deliver the message?
Advocacy Tools for Engaging Policymakers • Educational Meetings/Discussions on Broad Social Issues • Regulations & Regulatory Bodies • Site Visits & Case Studies • Enforcement of Existing Laws • Invited Technical Assistance • Nonpartisan Research & Analysis • Jointly-Funded Programs with Governmental Bodies
NONPARTISAN RESEARCH & ANALYSIS • Discussion that allows audience to form an independent opinion. • Broadly distributed. • No direct calls to action.
REQUESTS FROM POLICYMAKERS • A written request from a governmental body. • Predates assistance. • Specifies assistance required. • Responses distributed to entire body.
Advocacy Tools for Engaging the Public • Earned Media & Op-Eds • Messages Without a Call to Action or Without References to Legislation • Community Education • Stakeholder Convening
Political Activities • Endorsing political parties, candidates or platforms; • Advising political candidates on platform design • Issuing or distributing statements that favor or disparage a particular candidate • Allowing a candidate or political organization to use AC materials • Inviting candidates to speak at AC functions • Conducting voter education activities that favor a candidate or are focused on AC issues • Linking to candidate web sites in AC communications
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