© 2007 alisa klein consulting research - a key tool yet, policymakers rarely make decisions based...

© 2007 Alisa Klein Consulting© 2007 Alisa Klein Consulting

Research - A Key ToolResearch - A Key ToolYet, policymakers rarely make decisions Yet, policymakers rarely make decisions based solely on research and sciencebased solely on research and science– International Development Research Centre (IDRC) International Development Research Centre (IDRC)

and others: policy is made within wider political, and others: policy is made within wider political, economic, and emotional contexts and constraints.economic, and emotional contexts and constraints.

– The influence of research can be enhanced by The influence of research can be enhanced by linking policymakers, researchers and grassroots linking policymakers, researchers and grassroots actors through networks and communicationactors through networks and communication

The policymaker’s dilemmaThe policymaker’s dilemma


Shifting public perceptions: Shifting public perceptions: Changing the terms of the discussionChanging the terms of the discussion

Sex and crime issues have little to do for people Sex and crime issues have little to do for people with “the facts” and research. Makes coming at it with “the facts” and research. Makes coming at it from science difficult from science difficult ““Common sense” says – if you want to protect Common sense” says – if you want to protect kids from predators, move the predators away kids from predators, move the predators away How do you change or reframe what is How do you change or reframe what is perceived as common sense? perceived as common sense? The terms used don’t sound so bad: e.g. civil The terms used don’t sound so bad: e.g. civil commitment, residency restrictions commitment, residency restrictions How do you change or reframe the terms and/or How do you change or reframe the terms and/or the concepts behind them?the concepts behind them?


Legislative Advocacy v. Legislative Advocacy v. LobbyingLobbying

AdvocacyAdvocacyEducating broadlyEducating broadlyFactual; offering Factual; offering balanced, non-biased balanced, non-biased infoinfoMore likely to be bi-More likely to be bi-partisanpartisanNo call to specific action No call to specific action or “ask”or “ask”Providing testimonyProviding testimonyHosting foraHosting fora

LobbyingLobbyingInfluencing in favor of a Influencing in favor of a particular position or piece particular position or piece of legislationof legislationAsking a legislator to vote Asking a legislator to vote a particular waya particular wayA request for A request for funding/appropriationsfunding/appropriationsInfluencing partner Influencing partner organizations to pressure organizations to pressure legislators for particular legislators for particular votes or fundingvotes or funding


Non-Profit LobbyingNon-Profit Lobbying

Non-profits CAN lobby within specific Non-profits CAN lobby within specific parametersparameters– If annual budget is under $500K, can spend If annual budget is under $500K, can spend

up to 20% of annual budget on lobbyingup to 20% of annual budget on lobbyingIncludes staff time and mailing, transportation, Includes staff time and mailing, transportation, printing, telephone, etc. costsprinting, telephone, etc. costs

Excellent online guidelines and resources; Excellent online guidelines and resources; see (among others): see (among others): http://www.hcdnnj.org/policy/advocacy/nonprofitlobbying.htmhttp://www.hcdnnj.org/policy/advocacy/nonprofitlobbying.htm


Educating LegislatorsEducating Legislators

Find key members of relevant committees or Find key members of relevant committees or someone geographically relevant to you and/or someone geographically relevant to you and/or your issueyour issue

Find key legislative staffersFind key legislative staffers– Remember young ages, high turnoverRemember young ages, high turnover

Short meetings so talking pointsShort meetings so talking points

Always leave one-page materials; prepared Always leave one-page materials; prepared packets clearly labeled with your organization’s packets clearly labeled with your organization’s name for their files; bring business cardsname for their files; bring business cards


Skills Necessary Skills Necessary For Legislative VisitsFor Legislative Visits

Deep knowledge of issue but ability to convey Deep knowledge of issue but ability to convey simple message/ssimple message/sDeep commitment but ability to avoid “zealotry”Deep commitment but ability to avoid “zealotry”Ability to be concise and direct, but engagingAbility to be concise and direct, but engagingAbility to stick to predetermined talking points Ability to stick to predetermined talking points but able to be flexible in answering questions but able to be flexible in answering questions and responding to “off-point” inquiriesand responding to “off-point” inquiriesAbility to illustrate key points and facts with Ability to illustrate key points and facts with stories from personal and/or real experience that stories from personal and/or real experience that bring them to lifebring them to lifeIf relevant, know well what you are asking for If relevant, know well what you are asking for


Being Proactive:Being Proactive:

Developing a Legislative BillDeveloping a Legislative BillIdentify the issueDevelop talking points that state its needFind legislator/s to champion it with youWork with legislative staff to develop the legislative language for the billDevelop constituent support including those who have been affectedGarner support amongst other policymakers including “Letters of Support” to share with all legislatorsHold legislative hearings and press conferences or briefingsIntroduce the bill


Local or State Policy Advocacy Local or State Policy Advocacy v. Federalv. Federal

Benefits to focusing locally* – Local policies can be tailored to individual community

needs– Local initiatives raise community awareness and

support– Local communities are not burdened with

bureaucracy that often inhibits progress (at the state and) national level(s); easier access to policymakers

– Local initiatives are a laboratory for broader policy change, providing valuable clues to the most effective and appropriate models

* Adapted from Prevention Connection presentation, May, 2005


Local or State Policy Advocacy Local or State Policy Advocacy v. Federalv. Federal

Benefits to focusing on federal policy Benefits to focusing on federal policy advocacyadvocacy– Sweeping reform: successes and change will Sweeping reform: successes and change will

be mandated and enforced broadly be mandated and enforced broadly throughout the statesthroughout the states

– Power to make social changePower to make social change


When being interviewed for media:When being interviewed for media:

Don’t let reporters “lead” you places you don’t want to goDon’t let reporters “lead” you places you don’t want to goDon’t allow them to force you to reify their conceptsDon’t allow them to force you to reify their conceptsDevelop ahead of time your talking points: have 3-4 Develop ahead of time your talking points: have 3-4 ready at all times on a variety of SO-related subjectsready at all times on a variety of SO-related subjectsHave reframes and “reframe phrases” at your ready, e.g. Have reframes and “reframe phrases” at your ready, e.g. “The real question you should be asking is…”“The real question you should be asking is…”Sound bites, sound bites, sound bitesSound bites, sound bites, sound bitesRemember: “off the record” does not existRemember: “off the record” does not existDon’t use professional or other jargonDon’t use professional or other jargonNever say “no comment”Never say “no comment”You don’t have to say yes to every interviewYou don’t have to say yes to every interview

© 2007 alisa klein consulting research - a key tool yet, policymakers rarely make decisions based...

Documents