#2:
Tips for grassroots activists:
How to influence public policy
March
2006
Thoughts
of a grassroots activist / DC lobbyist / Hill staffer
By
Marie Rietmann, WAND Public Policy Director
(listed
in order of effectiveness)
1.
Help get the right people elected.
No amount of constituent input will change the mind
of any elected official who is adamantly opposed to
your position.
(This involves many activities — the most important
of which is to register and to vote. And to make sure
your friends do, too.)
2.
Develop an identity with your Senators and Representative.
Volunteer for their campaigns, host coffees for them,
and get involved with their legislative agenda. Your
help in delivering a constituency matters more than
money.
The constituency you deliver can provide votes for
that Member of Congress or support for an issue that
he or she cares about. For example, you can help gain
the support of others in your state’s delegation
for a pet project of the Member of Congress, or you
can convince your advocacy group to push for it.
3. Develop a relationship
with the staff who handle your issue (in both state
and DC offices).
Be able to offer them information or other assistance
they need. You’ll be more effective if you don’t
just take their time.
A grassroots activist with unique expertise can be
extremely valuable to staff. Staff could not do their
jobs without lobbyists (and that means you!).
4. Assemble citizen
groups to meet with your Senators or Representative
regarding your issue.
These are equally effective in the state or the DC
office. If the meeting is in the local office, follow
up with the Legislative Assistant in Washington, DC
who is responsible for your issue to make sure they
hear your message as well.
5.
Raise your issue at the town hall meetings of your
Senators and Representative.
This will make it seem like there is a groundswell
for your point of view.
6.
Join together with others who support your cause,
or convince
existing groups of its importance.
7. Write letters (or
send emails!) to your Senators and Representative.
Those written in your own words are the most effective
and noticed.
8.
Call your Members of Congress to express your opinion
(either DC or state offices). Provide your name and
address.
Note: You can’t possibly imagine just how many
messages — letters, phone calls, emails, and
faxes — arrive in Capitol Hill offices every
day. That means it’s more important than ever
that you develop a relationship with your Members
of Congress and their staff.
MAXIMS
TO LIVE BY
*"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful,
committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s
the only thing that ever has."
– Margaret Mead
*Relationships are the coin of the realm
*No permanent friends, no permanent enemies
