Mission-based Advocacy Toolkit from Alliance for Children & Families

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Part I: The Basics of Government Whether you are hoping to influence a bill, a regulation, or a Governor’s decision to veto (or not), it helps to know that lobbying is allowed. You just have to obey some basic rules governing 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations. The section that follows is intended both to put your mind at ease and to reassure others. Everyone knows that the FOR-Profit sector lobbies: for business tax breaks, for subsidies, for favorable zoning regulations, for policies at local, state and federal levels. Plus, everyone knows that Americans prize certain basic rights: to petition our government, to seek redress of grievances, to vote; in short - to have a voice in our representative democracy. And we know that our country has a long rich tradition of “voluntary associations” playing leadership roles in their communities. Alexis de Tocqueville commented on it 150 years ago, and foreign observers have been commenting on it ever since. Despite all that, many people, including many who work in the nonprofit sector, mistakenly believe that nonprofits cannot engage in lobbying and other forms of advocacy. That happens even though non-profit activities are so central to who and what we are as Americans. Ever since Lester Salamon “mapped” the size and nature of the nonprofit sector we’ve had evidence of what had previously only been suspected: in many communities there are more jobs and dollars generated by the nonprofit sector than by the for-profit sector, and doing vital work. Our elected officials need to hear the views of everyone they represent, not just those who work for a profit, and lobbying is one way to do that. Plus, it can help ensure that our government works equally well for homeless families, and youth in the foster care system, as it does for the families of Fortune 500 executives – provided those most committed to healthy families in strong communities share their experience and knowledge with the men and women designing our public policies. Once you know the basic rules, the rest is easy. This section offers a quick review of the basics. Additional material and helpful resources can be found in the appendix. Definitions: Advocacy Vs. Lobbying Advocacy, you will recall, is a catch-all term covering many forms of “speaking up.” Community education, giving testimony at a public hearing, talking about a program or issue you believe in, joining a lawsuit to force reforms of the child welfare system, helping an individual get a benefit s/he is entitled to are all forms of advocacy. Lobbying is one kind of advocacy, and a very specific one: communication with elected officials or their staff that is intended to influence specific legislation. It refers to “specific legislation” AND reflects a view on that legislation. 6 © January 2006 The Alliance for Children and Families
© January 2006 The Alliance for Children and Families 7 Part I: The Basics of Government For example, if you talk to your State Senator about substance abuse and the role it plays in domestic violence, and mention a program you have that has been effective in such cases, that is advocacy (probably education). If you say – “That is why we want you to vote for HB 1234.” – the conversation has become lobbying. Just informing, answering questions, or discussing an issue, is not lobbying. Definitions: Grassroots Lobbying Vs. Direct Lobbying Lobbying comes in two forms: DIRECT and GRASSROOTS. DIRECT Lobbying can be either: A. communicating your views on pending legislation to an elected official or a member of their staff; or, B. if you are part of a membership organization, asking your group’s members to contact their legislators about a pending budget or bill. (Urging a position on ballot initiatives and referenda is also included here because in these cases the voters are the ones casting the vote for or against a specific piece of legislation so urging the voters to vote a particular way is the same as urging a position when speaking with an elected official.) GRASSROOTS Lobbying is a little different. It covers attempts to influence specific legislation by encouraging the general public to express a view to their legislators. It counts as grassroots lobbying if it: • refers to specific legislation; • reflects a view on that legislation; and • encourages readers/listeners to take lobbying action with respect to that legislation. That last item, the “call to action,” would either: • urge contact with an elected official • give the elected officials’/staffs’ address, phone, ways to contact; • include a postcard or petition, or • identify legislator(s) as opposed or undecided, as being the reader’s legislator, or a member of a key committee dealing with the legislation. (There are separate rules for paid advertisements.)
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Page 3 and 4: Where Can I Find … © January 200
Page 5 and 6: © January 2006 The Alliance for Ch
Page 7 and 8: Welcome to “mission-based advocac
Page 9 and 10: Nor will it be accomplished by redu
Page 15: How a Bill Becomes a Law © January
Page 19 and 20: Part (h) provides authority for wha
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Part III: Helpful Advocacy Techniqu
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Thinking About Media Part III: Help
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Framing a Story Part III: Helpful A
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As you embark on your advocacy effo
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Once you’ve identified any gaps i
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FEDERAL SEASON: From Early Summer t
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Review the Coalitions you belong to
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In 2002, within the context of dram
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Sometimes the advocacy potential of
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agency built diverse coalitions of
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The Board unanimously endorsed the
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programs. FSW joined a coalition of
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FSW is already meeting with editori
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have an influential voice and they
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the two groups. Hurricane Katrina v
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public policy. The agency will prom
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Expanding Health Care for Children
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• Independent Sector’s Web site
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Hill, Frances R., “Public Benefit
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© January 2006 The Alliance for Ch
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Guidance for 501 (c)(3)’s During
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Committee on Public Policy A. PURPO
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Lobbying Issues Dates Lobbying Cont
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Sample Documents Model Charter for
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The following draft Job Description
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Providing Parity for Mental Illness
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Alert on Health Savings Accounts an
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Sample Press Release Release Date:
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• Through experience, trauma rese
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The Alliance for Children and Famil
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Alliance for Children and Families,
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Legislative Reports, the internal t
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Mission-based Advocacy Toolkit from Alliance for Children & Families

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