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Engaging Decision Makers Through Grasstops OutreachEnhancing Our Ability to Create Political Will

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Engaging Decision Makers

Constituents

Staff

Colleagues

Media

Paid Lobbyists

Experts

Personal History

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Engaging Decision Makers

Constituents

Action Network R Advocates Grasstops

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What the Heck is Grasstops?

“..mobilizing influential leaders in each community who can reach lawmakers at the federal, state and local levels, with facts tailored to their district's interests.” —PR Quarterly

“The companies specialize in a cutting-edge form of influence peddling called "grass tops," which attempts to get prominent local citizens and organizations to lobby on behalf of interest groups.” –Washington Post

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Grasstops

People with more influence than the average resident

They could be: business owners, issue experts, heads of departments, other government leaders, people with money, academics, local celebrities, relatives, party supporters, faith leaders, and others

They aren’t necessarily group members, but people we cultivate to take key actions on our behalf

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What Can Grasstops Do?

Open doors for meetings

Shape public opinion

Build the local group

Get decision makers to take action

Mobilize donors

Create persuasive pressure

Generate media coverage

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How Does One Engage Grasstops?

Through our existing connections and those of friends, family, colleagues

Becoming part of leadership groups (Rotary and other service groups)

Commenting on something they have done

Attending community events and public meetings

Cold calls

Other ideas:

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Why Would They Want to Help?

People like to use their positions for good

They care about the issues as much as many others

You provide them with an opportunity to leverage who they are

You appreciate what they do

They see that they can really make a difference

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Who Did You Engage & How?

Bob Dickerson, Seattle WA

Beth Wilson, Gig Harbor WA

Roxanne Allen & Sandra Duckert, Albuquerque NM

David Schubert, Houston, TX

Margaret Smith Dallas, TX

Frances Moore, Omaha NE

Eloise Sutherland, Austin TX

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Exercise: Who Will I Engage?

Mapping to your member of Congress

Mapping to you

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Key Engagement Questions

Could you help me make a connection?

Who do you think would care about this?

Who do you know that might help me get the Rep’s or Senator’s attention?

Would you be willing to recommend that people get involved with us?

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Exercise #2: The Dialogue

Find one person on your grasstops list you want to engage and practice the conversation you’ll have with him/her.

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What Did We Learn