advocacy basics for california nonprofits
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www.calnonprofits.org
Achieving and Measuring Success in Legislative Advocacy
www.calnonprofits.org
Five Main Points
• Legislative advocacy is important to our work.
www.calnonprofits.org
Five Main Points
• Legislative advocacy is important to our work.• Service organizations can advocate and can make a
HUGE difference.
www.calnonprofits.org
Five Main Points
• Legislative advocacy is important to our work.• Service organizations can advocate and can make a
HUGE difference.• Legislative advocacy is multi-layered, and there is
something for everyone.
www.calnonprofits.org
Five Main Points
• Legislative advocacy is important to our work.• Service organizations can advocate and can make a
HUGE difference.• Legislative advocacy is multi-layered, and there is
something for everyone.• Legislative advocacy is both simple and complex. There
are resources and tools to help simplify what is complex.
www.calnonprofits.org
Five Main Points
• Legislative advocacy is important to our work.• Service organizations can advocate and can make a
HUGE difference.• Legislative advocacy is multi-layered, and there is
something for everyone.• Legislative advocacy is both simple and complex. There
are resources and tools to help simplify what is complex. • Winning can take awhile. You can track, measure and
convey incremental success through a variety of indicators.
www.calnonprofits.org
Advocacy is important to our work.
State policy shapes, supports, impedes and generally affects every aspect of the work of nonprofits– particularly service nonprofits.
www.calnonprofits.org
Service organizations can make a HUGE difference in advocacy
Advocacy isn’t just for advocacy organizations.
In fact, advocacy organizations need service organizations to round out effective advocacy.
Coalitions built from both advocacy and service organizations are the most effective.
www.calnonprofits.org
Something for Everyone
• Letters/emails/calls to district Assembly Members, Senators
• Sign on to coalition position letters
• Submit position letters to committees, etc.
• Voice support in hearings• Testify in hearings
• Meet with legislators and their staff in districts.
• Meet with legislators and staff at the Capitol
• Sponsor legislation• Conduct research and/or
supply data to support advocacy
• Attend “lobby days”
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It’s simple…
1st House 2nd House
Policy Committee Policy Committee
Fiscal Committee Fiscal Committee
Floor Vote Floor Vote
LAWBILL
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…yet complex!
www.calnonprofits.org
Tools and resources to simplify
leginfo.legislature.ca.govHere you’ll find:
Bill information
Hearing dates
Bill votes
California Law
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Tools and resources to simplify
cal-access.sos.ca.gov/lobbying/
www.calnonprofits.org
Tools and resources to simplify
senate.ca.gov assembly.ca.gov
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General tips to simplify
• Work in policy coalitions
• Develop relationships with your legislators and their staff
• Engage your board in advocacy
• Contract with a policy consultant
• Identify your best roles and grow from there
www.calnonprofits.org
Elements of successful advocacy campaigns
• Research/data/expertise- A strong case• Knowledge of the legislative process• Understanding of how to access and
influence policymakers• Ability to influence other advocates and
media, and demonstrate public support• Targeted approach to getting votes
• Diligence• Tenacity
www.calnonprofits.org
It takes awhile.
Indicators of incremental success
PRIMARY
•Policy win (bill becomes law; defeat of bad bill)•Changes in progress of legislation
•Shifts in trends of voting by legislators on specific issues•Changes in communications by legislators and the
Governor about specific issues
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It takes awhile.
Indicators of incremental success
SECONDARY
•Growth and increased diversity of coalition•Incorporation of “lessons learned” in strategy
•Increased favorable media coverage•Increased grassroots engagement
www.calnonprofits.org
It takes awhile.
ACTIVITIES PRIMARY SUCCESS SECONDARY SUCCESS LESSONS
YEAR 1: Sponsored legislation; conducted research; testified at hearings
Bill passed policy and fiscal committees but died on floor of first house (past legislation died in first committee)
Established ad hoc coalition Did not get support of enough legislators. Need more constituents and media to influence more legislators.
YEAR 2: Sponsored legislation; conducted research; testified at hearings; shopped 4 op eds; hosted lobby day; built list serve; did action alerts
Bill passed first house; died on floor of second house; 10 legislators signed on as co-authors; Latino Caucus endorse bill
Coalition grew to include 50 service organizations and 7 advocacy orgs; 2 op eds were placed; received 20 media hits; engaged over 200 orgs and individuals in advocacy
Failed to get support of full Tri-Caucus to offset loss of moderate votes. League of Cities and CSAC still opposed the bill.
YEAR 3: Same as above; Targeted multi-language media; amended bill; hosted Leg briefing
Bill passed and signed. VICTORY!
Coalition grew to 65/12 and expanded in diversity and geography; 4 op eds; 27 media hits; 1,500 letters;
Converted opposition to supporters; generated enough Caucus support to offset moderate votes
www.calnonprofits.org
QUESTIONS, COMMENTS, SUGGESTIONS?
Kris Lev-Twombly, director of public policykrisl@calnonprofits.org916.207.2037
http://www.calnonprofits.org
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