LIFT YOUR VOICE: GETTING STARTED WITH ADVOCACY, LOBBYING, AND CIVIC - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

WE MAKE SURE NONPROFITS HAVE WHAT THEY NEED TO SUCCEED.

W A S H I N G T O N N O N P R O F I T S

LIFT YOUR VOICE:

GETTING STARTED WITH ADVOCACY, LOBBYING, AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT

Presented by Washington Nonprofits In Partnership with Sherwood Trust

WE MAKE SURE NONPROFITS HAVE WHAT THEY NEED TO SUCCEED.

W A S H I N G T O N N O N P R O F I T S

ABOUT US

Visit us at www.washingtonnonprofits.org to learn more and become a member.

WE MAKE SURE NONPROFITS HAVE WHAT THEY NEED TO SUCCEED.

W A S H I N G T O N N O N P R O F I T S

PRESENTERS

Laura Pierce Executive Director Washington Nonprofits David Streeter Director of Public Policy Washington Nonprofits

WE MAKE SURE NONPROFITS HAVE WHAT THEY NEED TO SUCCEED.

W A S H I N G T O N N O N P R O F I T S

LEARNING GOALS

By the end of today, you will:

• Be able to distinguish between advocacy and

lobbying.

• Understand the rules for nonprofit lobbying.
• Know more about how public policy is crafted,

and how you can have an influence.

• Have new tools to advocate for your cause.

WE MAKE SURE NONPROFITS HAVE WHAT THEY NEED TO SUCCEED.

W A S H I N G T O N N O N P R O F I T S

WHY ADVOCATE?

• To shift public opinion
• To change or add a law
• To change a governmental regulation or

rule

WE MAKE SURE NONPROFITS HAVE WHAT THEY NEED TO SUCCEED.

W A S H I N G T O N N O N P R O F I T S

ADVOCACY VS. LOBBYING

• Advocacy is any action that speaks in favor of,

recommends, argues for a cause, supports or defends, or pleads on behalf of others.

• Advocacy includes educating officials and the

public about issues and your organization.

• Lobbying is activity that attempts to influence

specific legislation.

WE MAKE SURE NONPROFITS HAVE WHAT THEY NEED TO SUCCEED.

W A S H I N G T O N N O N P R O F I T S

TWO TYPES OF LOBBYING

• Direct lobbying refers to a communication with

a legislator or staff member that refers to specific legislation and expresses a view on that legislation.

• Grassroots lobbying refers to a

communication with the general public that refers to specific legislation, expresses a view

• n that legislation, and urges the public to

contact their legislator(s).

WE MAKE SURE NONPROFITS HAVE WHAT THEY NEED TO SUCCEED.

W A S H I N G T O N N O N P R O F I T S

IRS RULES

• Limits on lobbying by 501(c)(3) organizations

are determined through either the “Insubstantial Part” Test or the 501(h) Election.

• The IRS requires nonprofits to track their time

and resources dedicated to lobbying.

• All advocacy and lobbying must be nonpartisan.

WE MAKE SURE NONPROFITS HAVE WHAT THEY NEED TO SUCCEED.

W A S H I N G T O N N O N P R O F I T S

501(H) LIMITS

Annual Expenditures Overall Lobbying Limit $500,000 or Less 20% $500,000 to $1 Million $100,000 + 15% of Expenditures

• ver $500,000

$1 Million to $1.5 Million $175,000 + 10% of Expenditures

• ver $1 Million

$1.5 Million to $17 Million $225,000 + 5% of Expenditures

• ver $1.5 Million

Over $17 Million $1 Million For all expenditure levels, the grassroots lobbying limit is 25% of the overall lobbying limit

WE MAKE SURE NONPROFITS HAVE WHAT THEY NEED TO SUCCEED.

W A S H I N G T O N N O N P R O F I T S

WASHINGTON STATE PUBLIC DISCLOSURE COMMISSION

• If your organization lobbies at the state level,

then it likely must register with the Washington State Public Disclosure Commission.

• Review registration information at

www.pdc.wa.gov

WE MAKE SURE NONPROFITS HAVE WHAT THEY NEED TO SUCCEED.

W A S H I N G T O N N O N P R O F I T S

ASK THE AUDIENCE

What advocacy and lobbying activities can nonprofit organizations do?

WE MAKE SURE NONPROFITS HAVE WHAT THEY NEED TO SUCCEED.

W A S H I N G T O N N O N P R O F I T S

UNLIMITED NON-LOBBYING ACTIVITIES

Unlimited Non-Lobbying Activities

• Educating officials and the public about your
• rganization and issues, without discussing

policies.

• Nonpartisan research and analysis.
• Responses to written committee requests.
• Defending your organization.
• Hosting a site visit for an official.
• Nonpartisan voter engagement.

WE MAKE SURE NONPROFITS HAVE WHAT THEY NEED TO SUCCEED.

W A S H I N G T O N N O N P R O F I T S

LOBBYING ACTIVITIES

Limited and Tracked Lobbying Activities

• Communicating with a public official about a

specific or desired piece of legislation.

• Issuing a call to action.
• Gathering signatures for a ballot initiative.
• Working for or against a ballot initiative.

WE MAKE SURE NONPROFITS HAVE WHAT THEY NEED TO SUCCEED.

W A S H I N G T O N N O N P R O F I T S

BOLDER ADVOCACY If you ever have a question about lobbying rules, please contact Bolder Advocacy. Phone: 1-866-NP-LOBBY (1-866-675-6229) Website: www.bolderadvocacy.org

WE MAKE SURE NONPROFITS HAVE WHAT THEY NEED TO SUCCEED.

W A S H I N G T O N N O N P R O F I T S

IDENTIFYING ISSUES AND POLICY GOALS

• What are the desired policy changes

that you want?

• Why?
• How do the desired changes fit with

your mission?

WE MAKE SURE NONPROFITS HAVE WHAT THEY NEED TO SUCCEED.

W A S H I N G T O N N O N P R O F I T S

WHOSE ISSUE IS IT?

Federal

• Federal spending and programs
• Federal laws and regulations

State

• State spending and programs
• State laws and regulations

Local

• Local spending and programs
• Local laws and regulations

Not sure? Start local.

WE MAKE SURE NONPROFITS HAVE WHAT THEY NEED TO SUCCEED.

W A S H I N G T O N N O N P R O F I T S

ARENAS FOR INFLUENCE

Level of Government Executive Branch Legislative Branch Federal President & Cabinet Congress: House & Senate State Governor & Cabinet Legislature: House & Senate Local (City/County) Mayor/Executive & Cabinet Local Council Legislative Issue? Budget Issue? Regulatory Issue?

WE MAKE SURE NONPROFITS HAVE WHAT THEY NEED TO SUCCEED.

W A S H I N G T O N N O N P R O F I T S

FEDERAL OFFICIALS

President Donald Trump (R) Vice President Mike Pence (R) U.S. Senate Patty Murray (D) Maria Cantwell (D) Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R) U.S. House CD 5

WE MAKE SURE NONPROFITS HAVE WHAT THEY NEED TO SUCCEED.

W A S H I N G T O N N O N P R O F I T S

STATE OFFICIALS

Terry Nealey (R) Bill Jenkin (R) Maureen Walsh (R) Washington Senate LD 16 Washington House LD 16 Lieutenant Governor Cyrus Habib (D) Governor Jay Inslee (D)

WE MAKE SURE NONPROFITS HAVE WHAT THEY NEED TO SUCCEED.

W A S H I N G T O N N O N P R O F I T S

LOCAL OFFICIALS

Walla Walla City Council Mayor Barbara Clark Mayor Pro Tem Tom Scribner Yazmin Bahena Riley Clubb Jerry Cummins Myron Huie Steve Moss Walla Walla County Council Chair Jim Johnso n Jim Duncan Todd Kimball

WE MAKE SURE NONPROFITS HAVE WHAT THEY NEED TO SUCCEED.

W A S H I N G T O N N O N P R O F I T S

ROLE PLAY: ELEVATOR PITCH

You see a legislator at a community picnic. You have about three minutes to speak to him or her and make an impression. Use the following

• utline:
• Introduce yourself and your organization

(one sentence)

• Share one policy change you are seeking
• Ask for his/her support
• Thank and offer follow up if indicated

WE MAKE SURE NONPROFITS HAVE WHAT THEY NEED TO SUCCEED.

W A S H I N G T O N N O N P R O F I T S

ASK THE AUDIENCE

How does a bill become a law?

Image Credit: ABC. “S1 E24 I’m Just a Bill” http://abc.go.com/shows/schoolhouse-rock/episode-guide/season-1/24-im-just-a-bill

WE MAKE SURE NONPROFITS HAVE WHAT THEY NEED TO SUCCEED.

W A S H I N G T O N N O N P R O F I T S

LEGISLATIVE PROCESS

• 1. Introduction
• 2. Committee
• 4. Full

Consideration

• 5. Repeat
• 6. Reconcile 7. Final Passage
• 8. Enactment
• 3. Full

Debate

Image Credit: Washington State Legislature. “How a Bill Becomes a Law” http://leg.wa.gov/CivicEd/Pages/bill2Law_elementary.aspx

WE MAKE SURE NONPROFITS HAVE WHAT THEY NEED TO SUCCEED.

W A S H I N G T O N N O N P R O F I T S

COMMITTEE HEARINGS

• Individuals may testify

for 2 minutes and submit written testimony.

• Stream hearings at

www.TVW.org and conduct rapid response.

WE MAKE SURE NONPROFITS HAVE WHAT THEY NEED TO SUCCEED.

W A S H I N G T O N N O N P R O F I T S

SESSION CALENDAR

Washington’s legislature uses a strict calendar to manage the flow of bills. Key dates in the 2018 session were (2019 TBA):

January 8 Legislature Convenes February 14 Last day to pass bills in chamber of

• rigin

February 2 Last day for bills to pass

• riginal policy

committees February 6 Last day for bills to pass

• riginal fiscal

committees February 23 Last day for bills to pass

• pposite policy

committees February 26 Last day for bills to pass

• pposite fiscal

committees March 2 Last day to pass bills in

• pposite

chamber March 8 Legislature Adjourns

WE MAKE SURE NONPROFITS HAVE WHAT THEY NEED TO SUCCEED.

W A S H I N G T O N N O N P R O F I T S

WA BUDGET PROCESS FOR FY 2019-2021

Agency Strategic Planning OFM Issues Budget Instructions Agencies Submit Budget Requests OFM Review and Governor’s Decisions Governor Proposes Budget to Legislature Ongoing June 2018 September 2018 Fall 2018 December 2018 Legislature Convenes 2nd Monday

• f January

Legislature Passes Budget Governor Signs Budget Biennial Budget Takes Effect Tracking and Evaluation by State January 2019 April/May 2019May/June 2019 July 1, 2019 Ongoing

Adapted From: Office of Financial Management. “A Guide to the Washington State Budget Process.” May 2016. https://www.ofm.wa.gov/sites/default/files/public/legacy/reports/budgetprocess.pdf

WE MAKE SURE NONPROFITS HAVE WHAT THEY NEED TO SUCCEED.

W A S H I N G T O N N O N P R O F I T S

THREE TYPES OF RESEARCH

• 1. About the issue.
• 1. About the current and previous bills.
• 2. About the legislators.

WE MAKE SURE NONPROFITS HAVE WHAT THEY NEED TO SUCCEED.

W A S H I N G T O N N O N P R O F I T S

CONGRESS.GOV

WE MAKE SURE NONPROFITS HAVE WHAT THEY NEED TO SUCCEED.

W A S H I N G T O N N O N P R O F I T S

LEG.WA.GOV

Scroll Down to Search by Topic

WE MAKE SURE NONPROFITS HAVE WHAT THEY NEED TO SUCCEED.

W A S H I N G T O N N O N P R O F I T S

READING BILL PAGES

Bill Progress Table (Scroll Down for Details) Bill Sponsors (Lead Sponsors are Listed First) Bill Number and Description Comment and Sign Up for Notifications View Documents and Hearing Videos (Scroll Down for Details)

WE MAKE SURE NONPROFITS HAVE WHAT THEY NEED TO SUCCEED.

W A S H I N G T O N N O N P R O F I T S

LEGISLATIVE HOTLINE

If you have a question on state legislation, contact the Legislative Information Center. Website: www.leg.wa.gov/LIC Hotline: 1-800-562-6000

WE MAKE SURE NONPROFITS HAVE WHAT THEY NEED TO SUCCEED.

W A S H I N G T O N N O N P R O F I T S

WALLA WALLA CITY RESEARCH

WE MAKE SURE NONPROFITS HAVE WHAT THEY NEED TO SUCCEED.

W A S H I N G T O N N O N P R O F I T S

WALLA WALLA CITY BUDGET

Budget Prep Budget guidelines issued based on strategic plan Budget Requests Departments develop their requests Proposed Budget City Manager and departments submit requests to Finance Committee Approved Budget City Manager presents budget; public hearings held; Council debates Adopted Budget More public hearings; Council adopts budget effective January 1 Post Adoption Monitoring and evaluation; City gathers citizen input for next budget

Walla Walla has a two year budget cycle. This process takes place in even years, and is currently underway.

Adapted From: City of Walla Walla. “Budget.” www.wallawallawa.gov/city/budget

January-March June-July August-September October-November December January Onward

WE MAKE SURE NONPROFITS HAVE WHAT THEY NEED TO SUCCEED.

W A S H I N G T O N N O N P R O F I T S

WALLA WALLA COUNTY RESEARCH

• 1. Click “Commissioners” Tab
• 2. Click “Agendas”
• 3. Scroll Down for Current and Past Agendas

WE MAKE SURE NONPROFITS HAVE WHAT THEY NEED TO SUCCEED.

W A S H I N G T O N N O N P R O F I T S

WALLA WALLA COUNTY BUDGET

Budget Prep County Auditor notifies departments to prepare requests Deadline for Budget Requests Requests submitted to County Auditor Proposed Budget Preliminary budget presented to County Council Budget Public Hearings Public hearing on the budget – lasts up to five days Budget Debate County Council debates the final budget Final Budget Passage Final budget passed effective January 1

Walla Walla County has an annual budget process.

Information provided by Walla Walla County Auditor

2nd Monday in July (7/9/18) 2nd Monday in August (8/13/18) 1st Tuesday In September (9/4/18) 1st Monday in October (10/1/18) 1st Monday in December (12/3/18) Before December 31

WE MAKE SURE NONPROFITS HAVE WHAT THEY NEED TO SUCCEED.

W A S H I N G T O N N O N P R O F I T S

GOVTRACK.US

WE MAKE SURE NONPROFITS HAVE WHAT THEY NEED TO SUCCEED.

W A S H I N G T O N N O N P R O F I T S

LEG.WA.GOV

Click “Details” to See Key Information

WE MAKE SURE NONPROFITS HAVE WHAT THEY NEED TO SUCCEED.

W A S H I N G T O N N O N P R O F I T S

WASHINGTONVOTES.ORG

WE MAKE SURE NONPROFITS HAVE WHAT THEY NEED TO SUCCEED.

W A S H I N G T O N N O N P R O F I T S

CAMPAIGN SUPPORT

WE MAKE SURE NONPROFITS HAVE WHAT THEY NEED TO SUCCEED.

W A S H I N G T O N N O N P R O F I T S

WAYS TO SHAPE PUBLIC POLICY

Direct Lobbying Grassroots Lobbying Media Outreach

• In-Person

Meetings

• Phone Calls
• Social Media
• Email
• Testimony
• Comment on

Bills and Regulations

• Phone Calls
• Letter Writing
• Social Media
• Petitions
• Submitting Op-

Eds and Letters

• Issuing Press

Releases

• Pitching to

Reporters

• Hosting Media

Events

WE MAKE SURE NONPROFITS HAVE WHAT THEY NEED TO SUCCEED.

W A S H I N G T O N N O N P R O F I T S

GETTING READY TO LOBBY

 Identify the Issue  Research the Issue  Develop Your Ask  Decide Who to Meet  Request the Meeting  Assemble the Delegation  Prepare for the Meeting

WE MAKE SURE NONPROFITS HAVE WHAT THEY NEED TO SUCCEED.

W A S H I N G T O N N O N P R O F I T S

DURING YOUR LOBBYING MEETING

 Respectfully Make Your Case  Present You Data  Make Your Ask!  Exchange Cards  Take a Picture  Say “Thank You”

Washington Nonprofits Meeting With U.S. Rep Dave Reichert (R-WA)

WE MAKE SURE NONPROFITS HAVE WHAT THEY NEED TO SUCCEED.

W A S H I N G T O N N O N P R O F I T S

AFTER LOBBYING

 Say “Thank You”  Deliver Follow Up Items  Stay Connected

WE MAKE SURE NONPROFITS HAVE WHAT THEY NEED TO SUCCEED.

W A S H I N G T O N N O N P R O F I T S

GRASSROOTS LOBBYING

 Identify and Research the Issue  Develop Your Ask  Decide Who to Contact  Determine Your Activists  Determine Actions  Develop a Tool Kit  Send an Action Alert  Track Performance  Follow Up

WE MAKE SURE NONPROFITS HAVE WHAT THEY NEED TO SUCCEED.

W A S H I N G T O N N O N P R O F I T S

MEDIA OUTREACH

Advocate through the media:

• Press Releases
• Op-Eds and Letters
• Pitch Reporters and

Editors

• Host Press Events

WE MAKE SURE NONPROFITS HAVE WHAT THEY NEED TO SUCCEED.

W A S H I N G T O N N O N P R O F I T S

REFLECTION AND NEXT STEPS

• What are your key takeaways from

today?

• What one thing will you do differently?
• What do you need more information

about?

WE MAKE SURE NONPROFITS HAVE WHAT THEY NEED TO SUCCEED.

W A S H I N G T O N N O N P R O F I T S

THANK YOU Please email us with your questions:

Laura Pierce Executive Director Washington Nonprofits Laura@washingtonnonprofits.org David Streeter Director of Public Policy and Advocacy Washington Nonprofits David@washingtonnonprofits.org