This document provides information about citizen lobbying and how to effectively lobby elected officials. It outlines steps for preparing a citizen lobbying campaign plan, setting up meetings with legislators, conducting the meetings, and following up afterwards. Tips are provided for making direct asks of legislators and turning up indirect pressure through other tactics if direct asks are not successful. The goal is to educate citizens on how to advocate for issues and influence policy decisions by directly lobbying their representatives.

1. Citizen Lobbying
May 26th, 2009
Questions? nightschool@democracyforamerica.com
AIM: DFA Night School Paid for by Democracy for America,
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2. Welcome to
DFA Night School!
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Got Questions?
Email:
nightschool@democracyforamerica.com DFA Chair
Jim Dean
AIM Instant Message:
DFA Night School
Questions?
2 nightschool@democracyforamerica.com

3. Tonight’s Trainers
Bridget Dooley
AFSCME Organizer
DFA Trainer
Chicago, IL
Matt Blizek
DFA Training Director Gov. Howard Dean, M.D.
Questions?
3 nightschool@democracyforamerica.com

4. What is Lobbying?
Over 30,000 paid lobbyists in Washington, D.C.
Paid lobbying vs. Citizen lobbying
Legislators need educating – they don’t know
everything!
Lobbying works!
vs.
Questions?
4 nightschool@democracyforamerica.com

5. Preparation & Planning
Effective lobbying is a continuous campaign of planned and
coordinated actions
Make allies and build coalitions
Get to know your target – What can you expect to get?
Anticipate your opposition
Draft a Citizen Lobbying Campaign
(See attached sample plan)
Goal - What do you want to achieve?
Target - Who can give you what you want?
Tactics - How can we influence that person?
Research - Any upcoming votes or deadlines? Any stance
on past or similar legislation?
Got Questions?
5 nightschool@democracyforamerica.com

6. Setting Up a Meeting
Make an “official” written request
Sample meeting request letter Quick Research
Sources:
Ask to meet with your Representative www.house.gov
or other relevant staffer
www.senate.gov
www.congress.org
Where to meet:
Capital office
In-district office
Demonstrate a broad base of support
Petitions, letters, etc
Questions?
6 nightschool@democracyforamerica.com

7. Constituency Meeting Prep
3-5 people is ideal
• Be diverse & represent all constituencies
Be respectful
• Be there on time (be early!)
• Look presentable
Practice & Role Plays!
Lobbying Team Roles
Facilitator - runs the meeting & makes the ask
Storytellers – 1-2 people to tell a compelling story
Asker - makes a direct ask (may also be Facilitator)
Educator – presents fact sheets, information
Secretary - writes it all down, plans for follow up
Questions?
7 nightschool@democracyforamerica.com

8. Constituent Meeting Agenda
1. Introductions - (5 min)
- Names and addresses of
everyone
2. Review the agenda (5 min)
3. Why we’re here - (10 min)
- Present petitions, etc
- Present facts, history, etc
4. Story time - (10 min)
5. The Ask! - (5 min)
6. Ask for questions - (5 min)
7. Wrap up - (5 min)
Questions?
8 nightschool@democracyforamerica.com

9. Making the Ask
Tips for making the Ask
• Direct straight forward ask
• Make them answer
• Embrace the awkward silence
Follow up Questions:
Who else can you bring on board?
What is the opposition looking like?
What will it take for you to support this?
What is holding you back?
Questions?
9 nightschool@democracyforamerica.com

10. Questions?
Email:
nightschool@democracyforamerica.com
Instant Message:
DFA Night School
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11. Following up
If non-committal, make specific plans to get your
answer
Thank the legislator in person for their time
Send a written thank you note to their office
Build support & research before next meeting
Questions?
11 nightschool@democracyforamerica.com

12. Turning up the pressure
Direct pressure tactics:
Letters, petitions, calls, Meetings, in-capital
lobby days
Indirect pressure tactics:
Letters to editor, op-eds, paid media, press
conferences, visibility, protests, pickets,
literature drops, Coalition building
Remember: Honey attracts more flies than vinegar.
Questions?
12 nightschool@democracyforamerica.com

13. Stand with Dr. Dean
What are they thinking?
Healthcare reform - where
are we?
What’s next for DFA on
healthcare?
Questions?
13 nightschool@democracyforamerica.com

14. Questions?
Email:
nightschool@democracyforamerica.com
Instant Message:
DFA Night School
14

15. Homework
• Find out where your elected official
stands on a public health care option at
www.standwithdrdean.com
• Write out a lobbying plan using the
attached template
• Contact your Congressional delegation
and schedule your first meeting
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16. 2009 Schedule
Click on location to RSVP!
May 30-31 Beaumont, CA July 25-26 Phoenix, AZ
June 5-6 Charlotte, NC Aug 1-2 Chicago, IL
June 5-6 Newark, NJ Sept 12-13 Jacksonville, FL
June 13-14 Shreveport, LA Sept 19-20 Lincoln, NE
June 27-28 Redding, CA Sept 26-27 Gettysburg, PA
July 11-12 Wichita, KS Oct 3-4 Columbia, MO
July 18-19 Birmingham, AL
More 2009 trainings to be announced soon…
Questions?
16 nightschool@democracyforamerica.com

17. Thank you for listening!
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