Communicating with External Stakeholders

Scott RayderNOAA Chief of Staff

August 24, 2005

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NOAA Business Model

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Why Are External Stakeholders Important?

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How Does NOAA get its message to External

Stakeholders?1. DirectlyThe Administration does so via briefs or updates in person (e.g. briefings to Hill, press, NGOs and industry)

2. Through the pressWe use the media as a means to leverage the importance of NOAA’s programs

3. Through constituents3rd party validation of the NOAA program is critical for support of our organization

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Surprise Reorganizations in 109th Congress

Senate Commerce Committee expands from 7 to 10 subcommittees

Science and Space: NESDIS Fisheries and the Coast Guard: NMFS except MSA Global Climate Change: NOAA climate change research programsDisaster Prevention and Prediction: National Weather ServiceNational Ocean Policy Study: Ocean Commission Recommendations

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The HillAppropriations Reorganization a

SurpriseHouse Appropriations Committee contracted from 13 to 10 SubcommitteesSenate appropriations Committee, despite opposition, eventually acceded to most changesIn House, NOAA’s funding subcommittee has been renamed the Science, State, Justice and Commerce SubcommitteeIn the Senate, the funding subcommittee has been renamed the Commerce, Justice and Science Subcommittee

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The HillAppropriations Reorganization a

SurpriseNOAA will now be considered by both the Senate and House subcommittees with:

=$16.5B FY ‘06 budget request=$5.6B FY ’06 budget request =$3.6B FY ’06 budget request

Although budget allocations should cover all of the requests, it is ultimately up to the Subcommittees to divvy up the money

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The HillNOAA’s Unique Hill Relationship

Viewed as a “non-political” science-based agency Intense support from key leadersPositive public image —programs touch constituents lives dailyFisheries regulations causes most controversy and Member concerns

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Pro-active 24/7/365Meeting member’s needsKeeping NOAA Legislative Affairs in the loop (e.g. one NOAA)Respond promptlyGet membersmembers and staff into the field

How Does NOAA Legislative

Affairs Work(202) 482-4981

BUILDING TRUST!

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How Does NOAA Legislative Affairs Work (contd.)

Legislative coordination:

Drafting Assistance Monitoring bill and amendment introductionsMaintaining communication with bill sponsorsCoordinating Views Letters, Statement of Administration Policy and unofficial views

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How Does NOAA Legislative Affairs Work (contd.)

Communications:Initiate meetings and briefings with members and staffRespond promptly to Congressional inquiriesIntroduce key staff to NOAA through meetings, site visits and written materialsMaintain websiteKeep DOC and NOAA leadership informed through written and oral reports

http://www.legislative.noaa.gov/

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The PressDO YOU KNOW THE RULES?

1. On the record

2. Off the record

3. On background

As you move upwards in NOAA you need to know the rules!

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The PressOn the record

Your name in print

Off the recordYou provide information but that information can’t be used directly, however, it will enable a reporter to ask sharper questions of others

On backgroundThe information you provide is used but your name is not in print (e.g. “A Commerce official noted...”)Ask the reporter before you talk!

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The Press1. Be careful — names in lights get shot at!2. You may get burned!3. Reporters can get information wrong!4. Report to your NOAA PA rep on your

dealings. The goal here is to speak as “one NOAA”

5. Getting cross-wired in the press is embarrassing

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3rd Party Endorsements

Implementation of US Ocean Action PlanNOAA needs to work with key constituents

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3rd Party EndorsementsCampaigns

1. Letters

2. Emails

3. Telephone

4. Faxes

5. Events in DC to support specific initiatives (e.g. CHOW)

Our constituents target the following:The Hill Enacted BudgetDOC Formulated Budget

OMB Formulated BudgetGoal: Constituents care about programs!

}We want them to care about NOAA programs!

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3rd Party Endorsements

1. We cannot ask people to lobby on our behalf. This is illegal!

2. If you are asked by a constituent if support for this organization would help, you can...

3. Any correspondence in support of NOAA programs/budget needs to go to AAs and Ed Shaw in NOAA Business LiasionBE RESPONSIBLE!