Good ground rules for lobbying groups
When you're putting together a group of individuals to try and have an impact on anything, you need to have rules. Some general understandings in order to keep everyone on the same page stop problems or misunderstanding before they begin.
What good does it do to have a group that doesn't get along or where everyone isn't paddling in the same direction?
Establishing a clear set of ground rules regarding how the group will make decisions is a must. Without a good upfront understanding of how things are supposed to happen you run the risk of having the group splinter when a decision is made that everyone doesn't agree with.
This doesn't mean they need to be overly complicated, (no need to get all Robert's Rules on everyone!). But they do need to exist and be understood by everyone.
Here are a few examples of how the decision making process could work:
- No action without group consensus, (unanimity): (Advantage: may be the only way to handle “hot potato” issues; Disadvantage: hard to move forward)
- Majority vote or two-thirds vote: (Advantage: defines what consensus means, other than unanimity; Disadvantage: for those groups outvoted, it can put their organization’s goals at odds with the group’s goals)
- Opt out: If there is a conflict of goals, all groups that can, should take coordinated action. Those groups that can’t would disqualify themselves from that action item only. (Advantage: a way of solving the above problem; Disadvantage: the group does not act at full strength)
Again, the most important thing, (after your mission of course), is to make sure that everyone has an understanding of how things will work from the beginning...not when there's an argument.
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Follow @DrewMcKissickPicking a leader for a lobbying effort
When you're working on a lobbying campaign by way of committee, it's just like any other group effort. Someone has to be in charge.
This means that it's all the more important to do things right on the front end when deciding on "who" should be in charge.
You may want to pick a chairman who is strong and who can speak on behalf of the group without having to speak with everyone else first. Or you may want a chairman who merely organizes the meetings, makes sure the discussion doesn’t wander and keeps track of "who" is doing "what". That's not necessarily the same person. In fact, it usually isn't.
Here are some thoughts to keep in mind when looking for someone to put in leadership.
Attributes of a successful lobbying coalition chairman:
- Trustworthy
- Well spoken
- Wll organized
- A people person
- Won't abuse power for personal benefit
- Knows how to run a fair and structured meeting
Remember, you can't have it all. Just focus on what the group needs...then find someone who fits as many of the criteria above as possible.
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Laying a good foundation for a lobbying coalition
When it comes to creating a good lobbying coalition, it pays to start off on the right foot. With that in mind, here are some tips:
Have a mission statement
It is very important to have a written mission statement for the group. It should clearly set out the purpose of the group for everyone to see and abide by. In addition, it lets potential new recruits know what they are joining.
Most important, a good mission statement provides a yard-stick you can refer to when making and evaluating plans. If something doesn’t serve the mission, then you shouldn't do it.
Identify specific tasks
The reason for forming a lobbying coalition to begin with is to pool resources and take coordinated action. Some highly structured, formal coalitions even raise money and hire staff; but you don’t need to be that large to be effective. Just organized.
If your group is large enough, one option is to create committees, and then assign each task to a specific committee. Each committee chairman could then serve on a "steering committee" that sets the agenda and makes decisions for the whole group.
But if you're not that large, don't worry. The most important thing is for everyone to have a clear understanding of "who" will do "what".
Fundamental Tasks of Lobbying Coalitions:
- Lobbying
- Research
- Grassroots organization
- Communications (coordination)
- Recruiting (of other allies)
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You can find more great tips for effective grassroots activism in my Grassroots Training Series. Check it out!
Follow @DrewMcKissickWhat to look for in a legislative ally for lobbying
So, you're trying to lobby an issue and you want some help from someone in government. Maybe a city or county councilman? A state legislator? Member of Congress? Well, there are a few things you should give some thought to when you're looking for someone to approach.
Why? Because all politicians are not created equal, so to speak. They all have different strengths and weaknesses that they bring to the table. Here are some questions to ask.
What to look for in a government ally:
Belief: Does the legislator really believe in your issue?
Energy: Will that person work hard?
Power: Is the legislator on the right committee? Does he have seniority? Please note that belief and energy trump “power”. It is better to have a lowly freshman who will devote a lot of time to the cause than a committee chairman who is merely sympathetic.
You know them well: Legislators don’t often do favors for strangers. If the right person is not someone you know, get to know them.
Reputation: Does the legislator have the respect of colleagues, or do they view him or her as extremist or inflammatory?
As you answer these questions, do so knowing what YOUR strengths and weaknesses are. What do YOU (or your lobbying coalition) need in a political/government partner? Then find the one who has what you need.
Good luck!
Follow @DrewMcKissickAdvanced grassroots lobbying: teamwork through lobbying coalitions
When you really want to have an impact on something, it's best not to try and do it all alone. That means putting together a team. And when it comes to lobbying, that means a coalition.
Most national level lobbying is done through coalitions. Lobbyists figured out long ago that they could be much more productive if they distributed the work load and shared intelligence with others who had the same goals.
In the same way, grassroots lobbying efforts are much more effective if you can convince others to join you in a team effort.
Here is a list of the primary types of lobbying coalitions
Informal Coalitions:
These are coalitions that are formed to share intelligence and “keep each other in the loop”. Meeting with your natural allies on a regular basis will help to decrease back-biting and build trust. You could meet weekly or monthly, in person, or by conference call.
Natural Allies/Strange Bedfellows:
Work with your natural allies in coalitions (like-minded groups and elected officials), but also look for opportunities to work with those that you normally don’t associate with, (i.e., “strange-bedfellows” coalitions). Sometimes these partners work on different issues, and sometimes they work on opposite sides of the fence. Such groups are hard to form. Our natural inclination is to work with our friends, not those we don’t know, and certainly not our enemies. However, try to overcome these feelings when you find an issue that you can unite on because these groups can be very powerful! They offer you credibility by appealing across ideological lines, as well as providing access to additional sets of legislative contacts.
Inside/Outside Coalition:
The best coalitions combine grassroots groups on the outside with legislative leaders on the inside. Legislators are privy to inside information you might not know unless you work with them, and they have a better grasp of the ins and outs of the legislative process. So the first step is to recruit a legislator that can help you from the inside.
The important thing is to try to create the type of lobbying coalition that maximizes the strengths and resources of the people that have common goals and are willing to work together.
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