Advocacy Basics for California Nonprofits

www.calnonprofits.org

Achieving and Measuring Success in Legislative Advocacy


Five Main Points

• Legislative advocacy is important to our work.


Five Main Points

• Legislative advocacy is important to our work.• Service organizations can advocate and can make a

HUGE difference.


Five Main Points


HUGE difference.• Legislative advocacy is multi-layered, and there is

something for everyone.


Five Main Points



something for everyone.• Legislative advocacy is both simple and complex. There

are resources and tools to help simplify what is complex.


Five Main Points



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.


Advocacy is important to our work.

State policy shapes, supports, impedes and generally affects every aspect of the work of nonprofits– particularly service nonprofits.


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.


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”


It’s simple…

1st House 2nd House

Policy Committee Policy Committee

Fiscal Committee Fiscal Committee

Floor Vote Floor Vote

LAWBILL


…yet complex!


Tools and resources to simplify

leginfo.legislature.ca.govHere you’ll find:

Bill information

Hearing dates

Bill votes

California Law



cal-access.sos.ca.gov/lobbying/



senate.ca.gov assembly.ca.gov


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


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


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


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


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


QUESTIONS, COMMENTS, SUGGESTIONS?

Kris Lev-Twombly, director of public [email protected]

http://www.calnonprofits.org

Education

Advocacy Basics for California Nonprofits