Moving Forward with Advocacy

Renell B. WeathersOutreach Coordinatorrweathers@milhs.org

www.milhs.orgJune 19, 2012

Michigan LeagueFOR

Human Services

Celebrating 100 years of Research

and Advocacy

Michigan League FOR

Human ServicesFALLOUT

48Month

Cap

Drug Testing

Unemployment Benefit CutsAsset

Testing

EITCReduction

Michigan League FOR

Human ServicesWhere to begin What do we want?

Who can give it to us?

Who should deliver the message?

What are your assets?

What resources are missing?

Do your homework

Michigan League FOR

Human ServicesWhat you need to know

Learn the process How a bill becomes law?

www.legislature.mi.gov http://www.votesmart.org/

Budget timeline MNA Advocacy Handbook

http://www.mnaonline.org/ http://house.michigan.gov/hfa/ http://senate.michigan.gov/sfa/

Michigan League FOR

Human ServicesWe wear many hats

Michigan League FOR

Human ServicesAdvocacy tools

Write – Call – Visit

Building a relationshipLegislative recess

Michigan League

Michigan League FOR

Human Services7 Tips Be prepared It’s all about credibility Relationships are critical Don’t count anyone “in” or “out” Be focusedWork with partners Share stories

Michigan League FOR

Human Services

$2M Lottery Winner Uses Food Stamps

Lottery winner on food stamps even after $1MMichigan man charged for welfare fraud

Michigan League FOR

Human Services

How to have the most impact

9

Testimonials

Letter to the Editor

Personal Letter

Social Media

Visits Legislator

Press Conference

Phone Call

EmailContacts

Advocates

Champions

Champions…

• Are highly committed to your issue

• Have a compelling personal story

• Are willing and eager to get more involved

Michigan League FOR

Human Services

Impact in the current political environment

10

Form emails

Form letters

Phone calls

Individualized emails

Individualized letters

In-person meetings

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

A lot of in-fluence

Some influence

No influence at all

Influence of Advocacy Communications on Legislators

Source: Congressional Management Foundation

Michigan League FOR

Human ServicesKnow the rules

Learn if you need to be a registered lobbyist, and if you do, register to be a lobbyist and become an active participant in impacting policy decisions.

Registration handled by the Michigan Secretary of State’s office - http://www.michigan.gov/sos/.

Michigan League FOR

Human ServicesYou have the power! … Conscience asks the question "Is it right?" And there

comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular, but he must do it because Conscience tells him it is right.”

-- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has”

-- Margaret Mead

Michigan League FOR

Human ServicesAction Steps

Restore EITC

Put state funded unemployment benefits back to traditional 26 weeks

Soften 48-month limit for Family Independence Program recipients

Eliminate asset testing for food assistance

Michigan League FOR

Human Services

Website: www.milhs.org

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