GPNP Advocacy Training by PANO June 2011

Getting to Know Your Legislator -A Collaboration between PANO & GPNPA Collaboration between PANO & GPNP

Joe Geiger , Executive DirectorPennsylvania Association of Nonprofit Organizations

777 East Park Drive, Suite 300,Harrisburg, PA 17111

(717)[email protected] www.pano.org

Pennsylvania Association of Nonprofit Organizations

1June 22, 2011


Q iQuiz


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S l th htSome general thoughts

There is no such thing as perfect public policy - Feudal times…p p y

This is not rocket science -relationships

If you are not at the table, who is? Sticking your head in the sand does

not mean you won’t get hurt - opinionnot mean you won t get hurt - opinion on NPO

Grassroots lobbying is crucial


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S it PSerenity Prayer

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can;and wisdom to know the difference.


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We are creating more gcompetition for the same dollar

We are fighting within g gthe nonprofit community to ycompete for whose issue is the most important – that must stop!


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p

We need to be developingWe need to be developing collaboration within the sector

We must re-educate the public about the value of the charitableabout the value of the charitable nonprofit community

We do more than provideWe do more than provide service

We must understand what weWe must understand what we have in common with each other


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Three Common Barriers toThree Common Barriers to Involvement in Public Policy

Legality – Is it legal for 501 (c )(3) organizations to advocate and lobby?organizations to advocate and lobby?

Legitimacy – Is it legitimate and appropriate for nonprofits to advocateappropriate for nonprofits to advocate and lobby?

Effectiveness – How can nonprofits Effectiveness How can nonprofits advocate effectively?


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Three Execs in the countrysidey


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G tti t K L i l tGetting to Know your Legislator

When? How? What?


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Electioneering

Charities are prohibited by law from engaging inby law from engaging in electioneering

Neither party has aNeither party has a monopoly on brains or ethics


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ethics

Penalties:10% excise tax -

organizations IndividualsLoss of taxLoss of tax

exemption


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Allowable Quasi-political activity:Voting RecordsVoting RecordsQuestionnairesPublic ForumsAwards


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Allowable political activity:Allowable political activity:

V t R i t tiVoter Registration Transportation to electionsp

Cannot target a particular demographic to g p g pthe exclusion of another


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Individual Political Activities:

Contributions Contributions Volunteeringg Letters of Support


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M ti ith l i l tMeeting with your legislator

1. Nervous? You know more about the subjectmore about the subject

2. Advance appointment importantimportant

3. A small delegation is OK – and may be better– and may be better

4. Discuss issue from your legislator’s perspective


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legislator s perspective

Meeting with your legislatorMeeting with your legislator (continued)

5 Leave fact sheet5. Leave fact sheet6. Write - say thanks -- remind legislator

of agreements reachedg


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M ki th k!Making the ask!1. Do your research – what is the climate,

philosophy record of this electedphilosophy, record of this elected2. Approach as precisely and succinctly as

possible3. To what extent will your request cost tax payer

dollars or save tax payer dollars4. Put a face on it!5. Try to make this feel like a win for the legislator6. Offer your self as a solution or problem solver7 Can’t answer a question? Don’t bluff but offer to

Role play exercise

7. Can t answer a question? Don t bluff, but offer to get answer


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p y

H d l i l t k d i i ?How do legislators make decisions?

1. What are the convictions/philosophies of the legislator2. What campaign promises were made3 Where are you in the life cycle of the issue3. Where are you in the life-cycle of the issue4. What are opponents of the issue feeding the legislator5. What was the quality of your presentation of information6. What credibility status do you have with your legislator7. What were the marching orders in caucus8. What issues are the negotiable and non-negotiableg g


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T l h AdTelephone Advocacy

1. Telephone call can be very persuasive. Tool for both direct and indirect advocacy

2 K it b i f d t th i t2. Keep it brief and to the point3. Don’t always need to speak to the legislator4. Calling legislator’s district office is as important

as calling the capitol officeas calling the capitol office. Depends on the individual legislator, or

relevant staffer


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T l h ti ttTelephone etiquette

Ne er e er e er e er stand in front of aNever, ever, ever, ever stand in front of a receptionist that is trying to help you and get on your cell phone iPhone Blackberryget on your cell phone, iPhone, Blackberry, etc.!


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E il d A i AlEmails and Action AlertsQ: How many advocacy emails does Congress receive

?per year? 500 million email sent to Congress in 2009 Increased 200% in 5 years, 300% over 10 years

Q: What percentage actually get through? Actual numbers vary from 70% - 20%

CapwizXC higher than industry average


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Oth t i tOther ways to communicate:

Invite legislator to:g

a. Visit your facilityb S k t ti d bb. Speak at a meeting sponsored by your groupc. Meet with your boardd Attend breakfast meeting at state capitold. Attend breakfast meeting at state capitol


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Ch it Ch llCharity Challenge

Recognize the importance of collaboration

Set aside our differences as sub sectors Set aside our differences as sub-sectors – think as one sector

Support enforcing existing laws – 100’s Support enforcing existing laws 100 s of cases

IRS is under-funded – voluntary support of ethical behaviors


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PA Government Offices

Pennsylvania Department of State, Bureau of Campaigns Elections & Legislation Web: http://www.dos.state.pa.us/Email: [email protected]: (717) 787 5280 Fax (717)787 2854Phone: (717) 787-5280, Fax (717)787-2854

Pennsylvania State Ethics Commission, Legal DivisionWeb: http://www.ethics.state.pa.us/Email: ra lobbydisclosure@state pa usEmail: [email protected](for technical questions)Phone: (717) 783-1610 or Toll Free at 1(800) 932-0936

Pennsylvania Office of Attorney GeneralPennsylvania Office of Attorney GeneralWeb: http://www.attorneygeneral.gov/theoffice.aspx?id=2099Email: [email protected]: (717) 787-3391


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F l I f l I i iFormal vs. Informal Inquiries

UNOFFICIAL ANSWERS: For Answers to questions on Forms and filings, contact the Pennsylvania Department of State Bureau of Campaigns ElectionsPennsylvania Department of State, Bureau of Campaigns Elections and Legislation (the Bureau)at [email protected] or (717) 787-5280.

OFFICIAL ADVISORIES:For Official Advisories regarding compliance with the Act, contact the Pennsylvania State Ethics Commission Legal Division (thePennsylvania State Ethics Commission, Legal Division (the Commission) at [email protected], (717) 783-1610 or Toll Free at 1(800) 932-0936 or go to http://www.ethics.state.pa.us/ethics/cwp/view.asp?a=3&Q=81588


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p p p p Q

For more informationFor more information

Contact PANO via email at [email protected] or www.pano.org or phone at (717) 236-8584

PANO leads Pennsylvania’s Community Benefit Sector

to achieve its fullest potential!f p


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Documents

GPNP Advocacy Training by PANO June 2011