Effective Grassroots Lobbying Effort

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From Project Relief's Grassroots Task Force
David Ridenour, Task Force Chairman



How to Conduct an Effective Grassroots Lobbying Effort

'Me following grassroots lobbying techniques were devised by former Congressman Mark Siljander (R-MI) for The National Center for Public Policy Research.

Initial Steps

There are five initial steps that must be taken to effectively lobby on your issue:

1. Identify the undecided Congressman or Senator.

2. Identify the official's principal areas of interest or concern. That is, determine 'actors that affect his/her decision-making process (i.e. determine if he/she is most responsive to constituent interests, the media, business leaders, other politicians, the party leadership, emotional appeals, humanitarian concerns, or a combination of these and/or other factors).

3. Recruit 25 registered voters in the official's district as your activist base -- if you don't already have one. These activists can be recruited from civic groups, churches, political parties, etc.

4. Educate these activists on the importance of your issue and on the government measures they will be advocating. Make sure they fully understand their position and the arguments, both pro and con, so they can be effective advocates of their position.

5. Ask each of these 25 activists to recruit three other family members, relatives, friends, co-workers, and/or fellow church or community-group members to participate. They must live within the official's district and preferably be eligible to vote.

You now have an army of 100 people in the Congressman's or Senator's district.

Seven Steps to Victory

Step 1. Each activist should ask their three volunteers to call the Congressman or Senator's district office to express their feelings on the particular issue. Activists should not use a script as this will reveal that their calls are part of a coordinated effort. Callers should simply ask, in their own words, for the Congressman to please consider their view and stress that they feel strongly about it. In addition, unless it is not true, the callers should mention that they are a registered voter and never miss an election. They should give their name and address and ask the Congressman's staff member to keep them posted on the Congressman's activities on the issue.

It is most important that your activists contact their Senators’ and Congressman's district offices. The vast majority of calls to district offices are made by individuals requesting assistance (assistance with visas, social security problems, veteran's problems and the like). Unlike Washington offices, the district offices seldom receive calls or letters from people expressing opinions. Thus, your calls will have greater impact if they are directed to the district offices.


Step 2. Your activists should use the information gathered on the interests of the particular Member of Congress to benefit their position. For example, if the Member is most affected by property rights interests, get the endorsement from leaders of the principal property rights groups in his/her district for your position. Always use the Congressman's or Senator's interests to further your own.

Step 3. Within three weeks of massive phone calling, you should arrange a meeting with the Member of Congress at his/her district office. No more than twelve of the activists should attend the meeting as more may be intimidating. It is important to be sensitive to the Member's position during the meeting and each activist should be prepared to present their views without repeating what others have said and without threats. You are trying to win someone over, not change his or her mind.

Step 4. Follow-up your meeting with a letter signed by all attending the meeting thanking the Member for his/her time. You may also wish to send Letters-to-the-Editor of local newspapers thanking the Congressman or Senator for their time. Make sure to send copies of those letters -- both as written and as published -- to the Member of Congress.

Step 5. The Member of Congress should be asked by the meeting, attendees to attend a meeting on their terms. Within three weeks after your meeting, invite the Congressman to speak to your activists on the particular issue. Turn-out is crucial. Your activists should have well-thought-out questions ready to ask the Member -- questions that reinforce your position. If possible, make sure the media attends the meeting. This will put additional pressure on the Congressman/Senator to adopt your position.

Step 6. After the meeting, follow-up with a "Thank You" letter and Letters-to-the-Editor.

Step 7. Conduct a second round of phone calling, following, the same procedure as before, as the vote on your issue nears.

Published by The National Center for Public Policy Research
300 Eye Street, NE #3 Washington, DC 20002
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