Tips for Thorough Lobbing
by Sue Udry

(One person is not going to be able to carry out all these steps.  But you can certainly do some of them.)

What Lens Shall I look at a Lobby Visit?

1.  Long-Term Relationship Building Between Legislator and Their Staff

·       Send them news clips

·       Send info on their legislation

·       Help them promote good legislation

·       Mention them in your newsletter or elsewhere when they do things right and send it to them

·       Keep in touch, but don’t be a nag

·       Have extreme respect for their time

·       Get to know the staff personally. Staff and Members are human

·       Send birthday card or email

·       If you send an e-alert around you legislator’s issues, send them a copy

What Does a Perfect Lobby Visit Look Like?

1.  Prepare, prepare, prepare

2.  Understand how policy change happens

·       First, you need to understand the policy and what your policy recommendations are.

·       Second, you need to understand the politics of the issue, which sometimes can be more important than knowing the policy.  Policy is connected to politics and everything is political.

·       Third, you need to know how to implement the policy and all the strategies and tactics that create social change

3.  Generate letters/petitions and contacts from constituents before meeting.  Perhaps bring to meeting.

4.  Who does the congressperson listen to?

·       Donors:  FEC website: www.fec.gov

·       Religious, celebrities, unions, doctors, lawyers, academia, largest employers or industry, other lawmakers, influentials

5.  Get a broad constituency of people to attend the meeting

6.  Know the electoral landscape. http://cookpolitical.com

7.  Research the legislator

·       What have they said or how have they voted on the issue you are lobbying about?

·       What are their top issues and what committees do they serve on?

·       Are they in a leadership position in the caucus?

·       Their official biography is just a start.  Try Wikipedia and others for a more neutral view.  Use your googling skills.

8.  Understand the legislative process.  Read Congressional Procedures and the Policy Process by

9.  Understand what you can ask a member to do:

·       Write, cosponsor, whip and champion legislation

·       Floor speeches

·       Committee work including hearings

·       Press events, Opeds, etc.

·       Congressional Research Service, GAO

·       Letters to the Administration and other government officials

·       Congressional or Staff Delegations

10.  How to get a meeting

·       Know who you want to meet with.  Always try to meet with the Representative.   Meet with the highest-level aid possible.

·       Fax and email meeting request preferably.  Follow up with phone call.

·       To find schedulers and staff names visit:  http://capwiz.com/fconl/dbq/officials

·       Guerilla Lobbying:  Sometimes it seems impossible to get face time with your Rep. or Sen.  Think about going to town halls, fundraisers and other places where you might be able to get in a question on your issue.

11.  Pre Meeting (This is very important should be at least 30 mins but more like 60 min or longer)

·       Treat your visit like a play, give roles and rehearse

·       Your pre meeting should be as long or longer than your lobby meeting

·       Plan to only get 2 or 3 key points/asks

12.  Prepare a packet

·       One pagers about your organization(s) and asks

·       Polling

·       Key media articles and validators

13.  During Your Visit

·       Dress for Success

·       Double check how much time the member/staffer(s) have.  Schedules change.

·       Introduce yourself with as many titles as possible:  church, union, PTA, etc.

·       Thank them

·       Listen:  You have two ears and a mouth for a reason

·       Ask directly for what you want and shut up

·       Psychology – observe what they write down

·       Refrain from giving them paper until the meeting is over

·       Be respectful of time

·       Ask if you can share information learned at meeting with others

14.  After Visits

·       Debrief with your meeting participants

·       Follow up with thank you letter outlining your key points, asks and anything they agreed to do.  Follow up again

·       Share intel with other organizations who would benefit from the information