Factsheets
Your source on political action, legislation & voter info

Lobbying

What is it? Lobbying is simply trying to change the outcome of a decision or trying to convince someone to do something—very similar to negotiations—or even dealing with your spouse or children. 

Every OCSEA/AFSCME member should personally meet with local elected officials to educate them about OCSEA issues. This way, elected officials realize that OCSEA is more than just a handful of officers and staff, and OCSEA members live and vote in their district.

What are some of the methods used in lobbying...

• Letter writing campaign (personal letters are more effective than form letters)
• Emails
• Postcard campaigns
• Petitions
• Crowd support at hearings, community meetings, public events
• Statements of support from other official bodies
• Media—letters to the editor, op-ed pieces, press statements, buttons, bumper stickers, etc
• Letters of support from influential people/organizations
• Discussions at public meetings/forums
• Testimony at legislative hearings—all levels of government
• Telephone calls
• One on one meetings with elected officials

Where to begin...

Whether individually or as a group, and whether you are lobbying at the local, state or congressional level, these basics steps should be followed to insure effective lobbying efforts:

• Fully understand the situation, the solution, and strategy.
• Obtain accurate information—names and addresses of the officials to be contacted.
• Understand the other side's most powerful arguments in order to counter them effectively.
• Prepare any background data/information that would be useful to explain the position.
• If you don’t know the answer to a question—don’t lie or make up an answer. Promise to find out and then do the follow up!

See Related

GRASSROOTS FACTS - Legislative Links: Government and Media

GRASSROOTS FACTS : Meeting with Elected Officials

GRASSROOTS FACTS: Testifying before a House or Senate Committee

GRASSROOTS FACTS: Writing elected officials

GRASSROOTS FACTS - ALL

Updated: March 8, 2007