Building Political Will / Advocacy Best Practices

Building Political Will / Advocacy Best Practices

Phyllis GilbertiDirector of Field Mobilization

[email protected]

National Conference on Ending Family Homelessness

February 7, 2008

How can we make federal policy change?

Is building political will within the domain of possibility?

A pattern of what works exists

“Two steps forward, 3 steps back.”

We’ve changed the minds of elected officials.

Role of National Organizations

• Lobbyist / National Expert

• Partner with local and state organizations to move policy forward – constituents v DC based lobbyists

• Develop policy priorities based on input from local partners

• Role of coordinator and convenor

Taking Advocacy to Scale in 2008

Your Success

+ Jane in Illinois’s Success

+ Pete in Arizona’s Success =

Real Change

What Can You Do

Lobby and / or

Advocate and / or

Educate and / or

Provide information

How Does Policy Change Happen?

Getting this on the agenda of individual Members of Congress

Accountability

“The only things that we will do (Congress) are the things that you make it impossible for us not to

do.” - Congressional staff to RESULTS (A nonprofit, grassroots citizens' lobby that identifies sustainable solutions to the problems of hunger and poverty as a human rights issue)


Activities to raise attention and get homelessness on the agenda Writing Letters and Making Phone Calls to Elected

Officials

Relationship Building with elected officials and their staff

In person meetings in Washington or in the district

Media

Public Education – Town Hall Meetings etc


Just because you say it doesn’t mean that anyone is going to listen.

Just because an elected official says it doesn’t mean that it will happen.

Persistence and follow through are the golden keys.

“ The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over

and over and expecting different results.”

– Benjamin Franklin

Anne’s Story

• Began with no relationship with conservative House Member

• He said ‘no’ to co-sponsoring homelessness legislation at least three times

• He ended up being a co-sponsor

Opportunities with this Congress

Creating Champions in Congress

A “Go To” Person

A Long Term Process

Winning One Battle v The Long Term Fight

Next Year’s Agenda and Goals

An Election Year

Short Term Asks

Long Term Strategy

Creating “Go To” People

Discussion Questions

• Think of an advocacy accomplishment. What was accomplished and How?

• Are there any barriers that have prevented you from participating in advocacy efforts?

• Talk about a failed advocacy effort. What happened? Why did it fail?

Building Political Will / Advocacy Best Practices

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