Taking Action a Parish Strategy for Legislative Advocacy

7/29/2019 Taking Action a Parish Strategy for Legislative Advocacy

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Ta k i n g A c t i o n :

A Parish Strategy forLegislative Advocacy

P r e p a r e d b y : Catholic Charities USA

Parish Social Ministry Office1731 King Street

Alexandria, VA 22314(703) 236-6233/4

www.catholiccharitiesusa.org


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Table of ContentsIntroduction Page 3

Part I: Understanding Our Call and Commitment Page 4

What is Advocacy? Page 4Why Advocacy? Page 5

Part II: Building a Framework for Action Page 8

Getting Started: Building Your Parishs Capacity for Advocacy Page 8

Step 1: Consult with Your Pastor Page 8Step 2: Discern with Existing Parish Ministries Page 8

Step 3: Be Clear About the Role of Advocacy Page 8Step 4: Tap the Knowledge of Existing Ministries Page 8

Step 5: Know Each Persons Gifts Page 9

Step 6: Create a Space for the Holy Spirit Page 9

Getting Started: Creating Your Advocacy Strategy Page 10

Step 1: Connect with Existing Local, State, National andInternational Advocacy Efforts Page 10

Step 2: Identify the Issue Page 11Step 3: Document the Issue Page 12

Step 4: Understanding the Arena for Action Page 13Step 5: Know Whats Been Done Before Page 14

Step 6: Identify Your Goals Page 14

Step 7: Create Your Plan of Action Page 15

Part III: Tools You Can Use Page 17

Framing Your Issue Page 17

Cultivating Relationships with Your Elected Officials Page 19That Powerful Pen: Write to Your Legislator Effectively Page 21

Its Your Call: Connecting with your Legislator by Phone Page 24Face to Face: How to Visit your Legislator Page 26

The Power of Press: How to Write Effective Letters to the Editor Page 27

Face the Facts: How to Create Effective Fact Sheets Page 30

Part IV: Appendices and Resources Page 32

Appendix A: Catholic Social Teaching Resources Page 32Appendix B: Glossary of Common Legislative Terms Page 36

Appendix C: The Federal Legislative Process Page 40Appendix D: The Federal Budget Process Page 43Appendix E: Whos Who in the Federal Legislative Process Page 48


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I n t r o d u c t i o n

Inspired by the Holy Spirit and a deepening desire for justice, parishes are increasinglyrecognizing the call to serve the poor andadvocate for effective social policies to eradicatethe causes of poverty. We are called by Scripture, tradition, the leadership of our Churchand Catholic social teaching to raise our voices for the common good, speaking with and onbehalf of the vulnerable. This manual aims to assist you as you build your parishs

legislative advocacy efforts at the local, state, national and international level.

We are called to be architects to partner with others so as to begin to rebuild our nationon a foundation that respects the dignity of every person and promotes the common good.As an architect begins to build with a vision and a blueprint as guides, so too must we havea vision and a strategy for our advocacy efforts. It is our hope that you can use this manualas a blueprint for building a campaign around an issue, marshalling the voices of fellowparishioners as you advocate with and for the least among us. Throughout the manual andin the appendices you will find links to suggested further resources. Use these links as younetwork with local, state, national and international organizations already doing legislativeadvocacy. Joining our voices as one will enhance our ability to advocate for justice, be ourefforts on the local, state, national or international level.

Finally, it is important to note that every parish is at a unique stage of implementing anylegislative advocacy strategy. Therefore, we urge you to adapt the recommended steps inthis manual to the particular needs and situation of your parish.

A c k n o w l e d g em e n t s : This manual is an updated version of the advocacy manual produced in 2003 by CatholicCharities USA. The principal author of the original manual was consultant Karabelle Pizzigati. This updated versionwas edited and authored by consultant Natalie Halbach, with assistance from Catholic Charities USA staff: CandyHill, Senior Vice President for Social Policy; Christin Driscoll, Senior Director for Policy Development and Advocacy,Karen Wong, Legislative Policy and Research Analyst, Kristi Schulenberg, former director of Parish Social Ministry,Rachel Lustig, Director of Parish Social Ministry and Brian Stevens, Manager of Parish Social Ministry Training.


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Part I: Understanding Our Call and Commitment

W h a t i s A d v o c ac y ?

Advocacy means supporting and defending a cause in which you believe. Advocates supportand argue for the rights and needs of the poor and vulnerable. Advocates also provide

those in need with the skills and opportunities necessary to speak on their own behalf.Advocates work for justice by impacting the public conversation about an issue, leading tochanged responses and solutions.

Advocacy takes place on many different levels. For example, professional lobbyistsadvocate for specific legislation, nonprofits advocate for their clients and legislation thatimpacts them, and individual citizens advocate for a community need or a cause aboutwhich they feel strongly. Each advocate uses his or her right to participate in our nationsdemocratic process.

How Can Advocacy Honor our Commitment?

Advocacy gives us the life-changing opportunity to carry out the Gospel mandate to change

the structures and policies that perpetuate poverty. The parish, in partnership with otherCatholic organizations committed to legislative advocacy (Catholic Charities USA, Network,the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Catholic Relief Services and your diocese

and local Catholic Charities agency) provides real-life witness and experiences that caninform and engage the public and decision makers about: the needs of the poor and vulnerable in our communities and our world; options for alleviating problems, including the kinds and amounts of services and

funding required; and how public policy decisions can help or harm the least among us.

How Can Advocacy Have an Impact?

Your experiences provide very important perspectives for legislators. Organizing alegislative network within your parish and connecting it with local and national Catholicorganizations doing legislative advocacy provides experience, resources and witness to yourlegislator. The weight of a call, a letter, or visit gets the attention of policy makers.

Effective advocacy can come in many forms. As an advocate, you make an impact in thefollowing ways:

You Educate. As an advocate, you can contribute to changing how the public andelected officials understand an issue and the challenges facing the most vulnerable inyour community and our world. Some legislators will have in-depth knowledge aboutyour issue. Others will know very little about it. All will be constantly bombardedwith information and requests from various interests groups and constituents. Your

job is to keep your issue front and center among competing priorities, and shapehow the public perceives it and its importance.

You Witness. Your experience in your parish and your larger community gives youexpertise as a real-life witness to the challenges faced by the poor and vulnerable.You can inform public opinion using the stories you gather about the needs of thepoor, the solutions that would be most effective to address these needs and theresources required to battle the root causes and effects of poverty.


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You Enlist Allies. As you educate the public and elected officials, you enlist

individuals and organizations to support your cause and join with local and nationalCatholic advocacy organizations to create a movement for change.

You Tap Resources. Politics and policy are about the distribution of scarceresources. By educating the public and drawing attention to your issue, you help toraise it in importance among competing causes.

You Improve Services for the Poor. Byconnecting with programs and people in yourparish and in your community (i.e. CatholicCharities, JustFaith, St. Vincent de Paul, CatholicCampaign for Human Development-sponsored

community organizing groups), you can callattention to policies that are ineffective orunjust and work to improve them. Advocatesalso hold legislators accountable for their

decisions, helping to ensure that they makeinformed and careful choices.

W h y A d v o c a cy ?

Scripture Commands us to Work for Justice

Our commitment to advocacy is rooted in Gods word, our faith tradition and Catholic socialteaching based on that tradition. Both the Old Testament and New Testament make it clearthat we are called and commanded to defend the needs of the poor and vulnerable (Isaiah1:17). We must fulfill this call not only through acts of service and charity, but also byspeaking out and calling attention to issues and unjust structures (Proverbs 31:8-9).

The New Testament reiterates many times these responsibilities, and reminds us that themeasure of a moral and just society is how it cares for the least of its members (Matthew25:34-40). (See Appendix A for additional Scripture references)

Catholic Social Teaching Calls us to Build a Just Nation

Together with Scripture, the teachings of the Church and the guidance of Church leadersinform our commitment to advocacy and pursuit of just social structures. In EconomicJustice for All, the U.S. Catholic Bishops remind us that ending poverty is a, moralimperative of the highest priority. The Church leaders call us to bring an end to povertythrough advocacy:

As individuals, all citizens have a duty to assist the poor through acts of charity andpersonal commitment. But private charity and voluntary action are not sufficient. We


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The ultimate injustice is for aperson or group to be treated

actively or abandoned passively

as if they were nonmembers of

the human race.

U.S. Catholic Bishops

also carry out our moral responsibility to assist and empower the poor by working

collectively through government to establish just and effective public policies.1

The Catechism of the Catholic Church reinforces the d u t y we have as citizens and as afaithful body to work with government and civil authority for justice and solidarity. Thiswork as faithful citizens sometimes demands advocacy. According to Church teaching,citizens have, the right, and at times the duty, to voice their just criticisms of that whichseems harmful to the dignity of persons and to the good of the community.2

Ca t h o l i c S o c i a l T e a c h i n g D i r e c t s o u r A d v o c a c y

Called by our Church to advocate for the vulnerable, we look to Catholic social teaching todirect that advocacy. Catholic social teaching outlines the fundamental principles necessaryfor a just society. As parishioners, we can use these teachings to guide our advocacydecisions and vision for a more just world. Some of the main themes in Catholic socialteaching are outlined below. (SeeAppendix A for further resources).

The Dignity of the Person: Thefoundation of Catholic social teachinglies in the book of Genesis: God

created man in his image; in the divineimage he created him; male and femalehe created them (Genesis 1:27).

Because we are created in Gods image,each human, regardless of nationality,socio-economic status, race, gender,religion and background has basichuman dignity. As individuals and asociety, we must protect this dignityand the accompanying rights for each ofour fellow humans.

Rights and Responsibilities: With our inherent human dignity as children of God,each of us has certain fundamental rights, including the right to education andproductive work, the right to begin and raise a family, and the right to sufficientfood, shelter and clothing for a decent and dignified life. With these rights comeresponsibilities to perform productive work for the benefit of the community, and tocare and provide for family, for each other, and for our society.

Call to Family, Community, and Participation: Catholic social teaching holdsthat we live out our sacred human dignity in the context of community. The U.S.Bishops remind us that, How we organize our societyin economics and politics, inlaw and policydirectly affects human dignity and the capacity of individuals to growin community.3

1 U.S. Catholic Bishops.Economic Justice for All: Pastoral Letter on Catholic Social Teaching and the U.S.

Economy. United States Catholic Conferenc, Inc. Washington, D.C.: 1986.2Catechism of the Catholic Church (1994). Part Three, Life in Christ. Section Two: The Ten Commandments.

Article 4. 22383 U.S. Catholic Bishops. Themes of Catholic Social Teaching. Online, August 19, 2006,

http://www.usccb.org/sdwp/projects/socialteaching/excerpt.htm.


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As Christians, we are

called to respond to the

needs of all our brothers and

sisters, but those with the

greatest needs require the

greatest response."

U.S. Catholic Bishops

We must structure our communities so to preserve the dignity of each member. Todo that, we must commit to fostering active participation in society by all persons.Only this participation guarantees full dignity and justice.4

Option for the Poor: Keeping inmind the example of Christ, who ministered to thepoor, and the command to love neighbor as ones self, we are called to evaluate howour policies and institutions impact the poor and vulnerable.

As advocates, we must continually call attention tothe needs of the poor and vulnerable and theunjust structures at the root of the challenges theyface.

The Common Good: This teachingrecognizes that we are all members of onehuman family, whatever our differences.When one of us suffers, we all suffer. Theextent of [this] suffering is a measure ofhow far we are from being a truecommunity of persons.5

The option for the poor leads directly to preserving the common good, for westrengthen the whole community by strengthening those who are most vulnerableamong us. As advocates, we must respond to Pope John Paul IIs call to, a firm andpreserving determination to commit oneself to the common good; that is to say tothe good of all and each individual, because we are all really responsible for all.6

Solidarity: As we advocate, we work in solidarity with all of our fellow brothers andsisters. The Catechism reminds us that, respect for human dignity requires thepractice ofsolidarity, in accordance with the golden rule and in keeping with thegenerosity of the Lord, who though he was rich, yet for your sake became poor sothat by his poverty, you might become rich.7 We must raise our voices againstrising inequality between the very rich and the very poor, and work for a just and

fair sharing of the resources of Gods creation to ensure dignified life for all.

4Economic Justice for All.5Economic Justice for All.6

Pope John Paul II. Sollicitudo Rei Socialis, no. 38. December 30, 1987.7Catechism of the Catholic Church (1994). Part Three, Life in Christ. Section Two: The Ten Commandments.

Article 7. 2407.


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Part II: Building a Framework for Action

Ge t t i n g St a r t e d : Building your Parishs Capacity for Advocacy

Your capacity for advocacy and the methods you choose will depend on your parishstructure and size and the key issues you focus on. No one plan fits all, so you have

flexibility to determine what works best for you. The most successful efforts work toincorporate participation of parishioners at all levels of the parish, uniting them in the dualcall to serve andadvocate. Also, remember that strength lies in numbers, so be sure tocommunicate continually with local and national Catholic advocacy organizations as much aspossible so as to align your messages.

Step 1: Consult with Your Pastor.

With a group of interested parishioners, a leadership group people with a concern for justsocial policy and an understanding of the relationship between faith and action bring yourdesire to create an advocacy ministry to the pastor. His input, guidance and support, alongwith that of the parish leadership, will be critical to your success. Keep the pastor informedalong each step of the way. Be sure that he knows your efforts will be an enhancement to

ongoing parish ministries, not an additional burden on him or the parish staff/leadership.

Step 2: Discern with Existing Parish Ministry Groups.

With your leadership group, convene a gathering of the leaders of existing parish ministrygroups. Your parish council, parish social ministry committee or the leaders of directservice ministries are just some examples of parish ministries you could consult. Have atime of prayer and discernment with them to invite Gods wisdom about starting anadvocacy ministry in your parish. We know that it is Gods desire to make our world intoGods kingdom, but discerning together allows us to ask God to help us to know the righttime and the right way to begin.

Step 3: Be Clear About the Role of Advocacy.

Your prayer and reflection can be a time for you to explore with existing parish ministryleaders the role and the importance of advocacy and the relationship between advocacy andthe important work their ministries are already doing. Make it clear that, while advocacywould not be an additional responsibility for any present ministry, it would work inconjunction with existing ministries to support their goals. This could be an opportunity forthe existing groups to identify the advocacy issues that are related to their ministries: Pro-life ministries and their legislative efforts to end abortion, food pantries with groups workingto end hunger; support for seniors and affordable housing for the elderly. Invite the leadersof existing parish ministry groups to do some discernment about their interest and theinterests of their members in supporting an advocacy effort in the parish.

Step 4: Tap the Knowledge of Existing Ministries.

Those active in existing parish ministries will likely know of parishioners whose interests andgifts would lend themselves well to advocacy. Tap that knowledge and energy. Dont forgetto consult with other parish leaders, staff and other ministry leaders. Dont limit yourselfjust to those you think might know someone interested in being part of a legislativeadvocacy effort. The choir director, the Catechetical director, the RCIA leaders, the YouthMinisters all might be able to give you recommendations about your fellow parishioners


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who would like to take part in an advocacy ministry. Dont forget to make connections withother ministry leaders about how advocacy will support their present efforts.

Step 5: Know Each Persons Gifts.

As you build the capacity of your parish advocacy ministry, evaluate the specific expertisethat each person brings in order to maximize their time and effort. Sit down with eachperson and learn where their interests lie, what their concerns for the parish and thecommunity are and what role theyd like to play in advocacy. Take notes of individualstrengths and weaknesses to determine who would be best suited to what role in advocacyministry.

Step 6: Create a Space for the Holy Spirit.

Resist the urge to do it all. Henri Nouwen, in his book, The Selfless Way of Christ, wroteabout the temptations of being relevant, spectacular and powerful. As you discern whatrole you will play in an advocacy ministry, be sure to create a space for the work of the HolySpirit in guiding you to be welcoming and inclusive of fellow parishioners with passion andenergy for advocacy. The best advocacy ministry will have a broad-base in the parish andinclude the efforts of many parishioners not just a handful of leaders who do all the work.

A welcoming tone and opportunities for genuine involvement and ownership for your fellowparishioners are essential elements to a successful advocacy ministry.


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Ge t t i n g St a r t e d : Creating your Advocacy Strategy

Just as you would not leave on a road trip without a map and an itinerary to guide yourtravel, you should not embark on an advocacy effort without a strategy and plan of action.Creating a successful advocacy strategy requires several steps, outlined below. Above all,remember to be flexible, reevaluating and adapting your strategies as you move forward ifthe context, needs, or people involved in your issue change.

Step 1: Connect with Existing Local, State, National and International Advocacy

Efforts.

There are multiple groups engaged in advocacy efforts on the local, state, national andinternational level that can greatly enhance your parish advocacy efforts. Instead ofseeking to reinvent the wheel, find out what advocacy efforts are already underway andconnect with this existing framework of knowledge. By joining your voice with the voices ofthose already advocating for justice you can increase your effectiveness and buildmomentum for change.

Local Advocacy EffortsMany Catholic dioceses and local Catholic Charities agencies are already working to

influence legislation on a host of concerns facing local communities. Check to see if yourdiocese has an office of peace and justice or social advocacy. Find out what issues they arealready advocating for and see if you can join your parishs voice to their efforts. Do thesame with your Catholic Charities agency. You can find a listing of Catholic Charitiesagencies around the country at the Catholic Charities USA website(www.CatholicCharitiesUSA.org. Click on Who We Are and scroll down to LocalAgency Directory). Many times dioceses and Catholic Charities agencies are already incommunity partnerships with advocates working for change on issues from affordablehousing to living wage legislation.

If your diocese and local Catholic Charities agency arent working on advocacy issues,chances are theres a community coalition in your area that is. Interfaith worker justicegroups, living wage coalitions and affordable housing organizations exist across the country.Often times they are funded by the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD).Check the CCHD website (www.usccb.org/cchd) for a state-by-state listing of communityorganizing groups to find out whos already advocating for change in your community andgive them a call! Theyll likely be eager to have you as a partner and youll be connected tothe unparelled knowledge of a community organizing group working in your area. Bybuilding a relationship with your local community organizing groups, youll both be in aposition of strength from which to advocate and youll be creating lasting ties that form thebasis for genuine community.

State Advocacy EffortsMany states have Catholic conferences that maintain a regular presence in their statecapitol, advocating on issues of concern to the church. Visit the National Association of

State Catholic Conference Directors website (www.nasccd.org) to find out if theres astate Catholic conference where you live. If there is, youll likely find an overview of theirstate legislative agenda on their web site, including ways in which your parish legislativeadvocacy efforts can join with those of parishes across your state. Many states haveCatholic Days at the Capitol in which parish legislative advocacy groups coordinate theirvisits to their state legislators. The collective effect of buses of parishioners all visiting theState Capitol on the same day often makes quite an impact with state legislators, helping toincrease the influence of the church.


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Catholic Campaign for

Human Development

The Catholic Campaign for Human

Development is the national

Catholic program that seeks to end

the root causes of domestic poverty

by supporting community-

controlled, self-help organizationsand their initiatives.

National Advocacy EffortsThere are multiple sources of legislative advocacy concerning national issues of concern tothe Catholic community. Catholic Charities USA, Network and the United States Conferenceof Catholic Bishops are three of the national-level organizations whose work includesadvocacy in the halls of Congress. Each organization offers legislative advocacy toolsdeveloped by staff whose profession is advocating on Capitol Hill. Visit Catholic CharitiesUSAs legislative advocacy web page(http://povertyinamerica.typepad.com/campaign/agenda.html), Networksadvocacy web page (http://capwiz.com/networklobby/issues/), and the UnitedStates Conference of Catholic Bishops web site (http://www.usccb.org/sdwp/) for indepth information on issues, legislation and the latest Action Alerts that your parishlegislative advocacy efforts can connect to. In addition, each year the Catholic communitygathers in Washington DC for theAnnual Catholic Social Ministry Gathering in earlyFebruary. Sponsored by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, CatholicCharities USA, the Roundtable Association of Diocesan Social Action Directors and theSociety of St. Vincent DePaul, among others, the gathering includes a day of lobbying onCapitol Hill. Visit theAnnual Catholic Social Ministry Gathering web site(http://www.usccb.org/sdwp/projects/csmgindex.shtml) for information on pastand future gatherings and how you and others involved in your parish legislative advocacyefforts can attend.

International Advocacy EffortsCatholic Relief Services and Maryknolls Office for Global Concerns are two of the leadingCatholic organizations doing legislative advocacy around international issues of concern tothe church. Visit CRSAdvocacy web site at (http://advocacy.crs.org) and MaryknollsOffice for Global Concerns at (http://www.maryknollogc.org) to find out how yourparish legislative advocacy efforts can include issues of international focus. Additionally,CRS and the USCCB have joined together to launch the Catholic Campaign Against GlobalPoverty(http://www.usccb.org/sdwp/globalpoverty/). The campaign includes thelatest statements from the U.S. Bishops on issues of global concern, including Action Alertsand Parish Resources to support the efforts of your parish legislative advocacy work.

Step 2: Identify the Issue.

To address an issue, you must first identify it. Being in relationship with those in needprovides context and perspective and fulfills our Gospelmandate to build community. Begin by consulting yourlocal Catholic Charities, existing parish social ministriesthat work daily with people who struggle with povertyand local groups in your diocese supported by theCa t h o l i c Ca m p a i g n f o r H u m a n D e v e l o p m e n t (CCHD). If you are dealing with an international issue,consult those who are in relationships of mutuality withcommunities in poverty overseas. Catholic ReliefServices and Maryknollare two organizations committed

to relationships built on mutual respect. Listen well andobserve changing trends regarding your issues and youwill begin to identify pressing concerns in yourcommunity and state and our nation and world.

Consulting low-income people and communities is crucial to this step. Most importantly,empowering low-income people, rather than simply speaking for them, affirms their dignity.Often, they have great ideas for potential solutions, and will only embrace proposedsolutions if they have participated in identifying them. In addition to people you may meet


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through your parishs direct service or your local Catholic Charities, be in touch with yourdioceses Ca t h o l ic Ca m p a i g n f o r H u m a n D e v e l o p m e n t (CCHD) representative forinformation on how you can learn about local CCHD grantees independent communityorganizations engaged in self-help programs and advocacy projects. Visithttp://www.usccb.org/cchd/director.shtml to find your local CCHD contact.

As you identify the problem, remember that its causes may be complex, but your advocacy

issue must be focused and clear. Youll need a clear issue for later steps in the advocacyprocess, like goal setting and working with media. Begin by creating as full a picture aspossible of the problem, and then hone in on your specific issue. Begin your research byvisiting the web sites of the various Catholic organizations discussed above. As you do,consider some of the following questions:

What is the emerging trend or emerging need? How does it differ from past needs? Who/how many people does the problem affect? Does the problem affect different groups differently? What causes the problem or the change in need? Is the issue the only problem or is it a symptom of a larger problem that we should

address with policy change? If the issue is complex, can it be broken down into more manageable pieces? How? Who is responsible for addressing the problem? What are possible solutions? Is advocacy the best way to approach the issue? Would other solutions work better

in the short or long run? What potential solutions are most important? How would these solutions impact the affected

group? The community?

Step 3: Document the Issue.

Once you have identified your issue, you will need to bothresearch and document it so that you will have the facts

you need to begin advocacy. As mentioned above, tapinto the knowledge of existing advocacy efforts,community organizing and parish social ministries to helpconnect you with those who are low income themselves.Those who are living the reality of a situation play acrucial role in helping to identify and document evidenceof increased need or changing trends in need. Work withthose in the know to build a compelling case for a neededresponse. Learn:

The characteristics of the impacted people. The number who are affected. How the issue has improved or worsened (create a chart or graph to illustrate this

change if possible). The change in resources available to respond to the issue.

By checking with other organizations doing advocacy in your community, across the state,nationwide or internationally, you can see if others have observed similar trends. Contactthose Catholic organizations discussed above for help in finding published research orreports that add further weight and credibility to the issues observed.


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Do Your Homework

Resources on Federal Legislation andRegulations:

Catholic Charities USA web site:

http://www.catholiccharitiesusa.org/advocacy/Catholic Charities USA regularly updates this

site with legislative analysis, issue briefs,

sample letters to the editor or to Members of

Congress and toolkits to help you learn more

and take action.

Network web site:http://www.networklobby.org/issues/index.htmlFind the latest issues of concern to Network and

how you can join with others to advocate for

change.

THOMAS: http://thomas.loc.govThis Library of Congress site allows you to

search for bills, read the entire bill text online,

and check a bills status all the way back to the

93rd Congress; search the Congressional

Record (daily record of Congressional activity);

and link to the Web pages of Members of

Congress and Congressional committees.

U.S. Government Printing Office:http://www.gpoaccess.gov/uscode/index.htmlFind text of the U.S. Code of law and the Code

of Federal Regulations.

The Federal Register:

www.gpoaccess.gov/fr/index.htmlPublished daily, contains proposed and final

agency rules and regulations.

Links to all executive agency Web sites:

http://www.loc.gov/rr/news/fedgov.html

Government Accounting Office:

www.gao.govStudies federal programs and expenditures for

Congress and suggests ways to make them more

effective. Good source of reports and data.

Step 4: Understanding the Arena for

Action.

Not all advocacy efforts call for a legislativesolution. With each unique issue, the most

effective arena for action will differ. Threepotential arenas for action are: legislative,regulatory, and judicial. By connecting withgroups at the local, state, national andinternational level already doing advocacy,you can be sure your advocacy will befocused in the appropriate arena.

Legislation is the first step informulating new laws or revisingexisting law.

Regulation follows legislation. Once abill has passed and been signed intolaw (see Appendix C), it is sent to theappropriate executive branchdepartment for implementation. Thedepartment reviews the law andcreates regulations that determinehow the law will be implemented.

The judiciaryinterprets the law anddetermines whether theimplementation of the law or the lawitself is inconsistent with theconstitution and how it allocatespower or responsibility.

Questions that advocacy groups ask todetermine the appropriate arena for actioninclude:

1. Does the existing law need to bechanged to address the issue?

2. Is there a need for a new law?3. Is the existing law okay, but the

way it is implemented toorestrictive or flexible?

If the answer is yes to the first or secondquestion, your advocacy should focus on thelegislative branch of local, state or nationalgovernment (see U n d e r s t a n d in g t h e F e d e r a l L e g i s l a t i v e P r o c e s s , Appendix C).If the answer is yes to the third question,your advocacy efforts should seek toinfluence regulatory agencies as they formpolicies.


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Want Action Steps,

but Short on Time?

Let Catholic Charities USA,

Network and Catholic Relief

Services Help!

Sign up to receive Action Alert! e-mails.Action Alerts do the analysis for you and tellyou which legislators to contact, important

messages to deliver, and give you links to

send a message to legislators immediatelyright online.

Catholic Charities USAhttp://capwiz.com/catholiccharitiesusa/mlm/si

gnup/

Networkhttp://capwiz.com/networklobby/mlm/signup/

Catholic Relief Serviceshttp://actioncenter.crs.org/site/PageServer?pag

ename=ac_signup

Step 5: Know Whats Been Done Before.

To plan an effective advocacy strategy around the issue you have identified, you must knowhow the issue has been addressed in the past, important players, and when you mightcreate change or make an impact in the future. Many resources exist among Catholicorganizations engaged in advocacy to guide you in planning your parish advocacy efforts.

Look to the Catholic advocacy groups discussed above (Catholic Charities USA, Network, theUnited States Conference of Catholic Bishops and Catholic Relief Services) to find answersto these questions:

How do current laws or policies try to address this issue? Who supported original laws and who opposed them? (Look for legislators who care

about the issue to be potential champions for your solutions.)

What were the goals of the original supporters or opposition? How havecircumstances changed to warrant changes to laws and how can addressing newneeds still fit within the original goals?

What does the current legislative calendar look like, and when might legislators takeup this issue?

How can you link your issue (its causes, consequences, and solutions) to currentmain issues under debate?

Which agency or departmentcreated the regulations toimplement laws on your issue?

How and when does the agencyor department make decisions,and issue or change regulations?

Have other organizationsadvocated on this issue? Whattactics did they try, and whatsuccesses have they had?

What is the opposition saying?How could you and your alliesrespond without alienatingthem? (Remember, todaysopposition may be a future ally.)

Step 6: Identify Your Goals.

Creating a vision and goals for youradvocacy effort will keep your effortsfocused and on track. A clear vision willhelp you make good decisions at turningpoints or setbacks. Vision motivates agroup when change seems impossible,inspires new advocates, and helpsdiverse individuals build consensus.


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Action Steps for Your Advocacy Strategy

When designing your strategy, consider some of the

following action steps. Use the web sites of the

various Catholic organizations discussed in Step 1

(Catholic Charities USA, Network, the United States

Conference of Catholic Bishops and Catholic ReliefServices) as a resource for information, talking

points, sample letters and documents and direct

links to your legislators as you design your

strategy.

EDUCATE: Youll need to educatelegislators and your parish community aboutyour issue. Create one page Fact Sheets,

targeted toward various audiences. Include

data you have gathered, background

information, and stories where appropriate.Also include contact information so readers

know how to find out more. Make sure you

are aware of the Churchs position on the

issue. See the Tools You Can Use section for

tips on creating effective Fact Sheets.

ADVOCATE: Write, call, and visit yourelected officials as part of your strategy for

change. Educate them and ask them to take

specific actions to address the problem. See

the Tools You Can Use section for tips oncommunicating with your legislators.

PARTNER: Consider how you can partnerwith other organizations or individuals in your

community who would like to address your

issue.

PUBLICIZE: Work with the media to raisepublic awareness of your issue and support forpossible solutions. Media coverage of your

issue will not only educate, but also impacthow elected officials view its importance or

decide how to address it. See the Tools You

Can Use section for guidance on building

relationships with the media.

To create your vision, imagine howthe world would look if yousuccessfully addressed your issue.Whose lives would change? Howwould they be different? Whatwould that world look like?

This vision might seem big andcomplicated. Look to thoseCatholic organizations discussedabove to understand their visionand the steps theyve outlined toachieve the vision. Find one pieceto focus on and create short-term(up to two-year) goals. Makethese goals clear and measurable,so you can evaluate the impact ofyour actions, celebrate successesand see progress toward the larger

vision.

Once you have defined your visionand goals, move to the final stepof creating your advocacy strategy designing a specific plan ofaction. Link your plan directly tothe advocacy efforts alreadyunderway that youve reviewed.

Step 7: Create Your Plan ofAction.

Its time to break down your visionand goals into a specific actionplan. You will not be able to doeverything at once, so break yourgoals into manageable pieces andcreate action steps towardachieving those pieces. Becauseyou have done your homework,you will be able to decide if youractions should be national or local,if you are focusing on legislation orregulations, and what has or has

not worked in the past.

Decide which legislators you needto reach by working with the local,state, national and internationaladvocacy groups youre in contactwith. They will already haveidentified legislators with power on key committees or a special interest or history with yourissue, and will know about any special connections to the legislator. You may find the


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advocacy groups your parish is connected with will encourage you to use different strategieswith different legislators. Some legislators may respond best to media coverage, whileothers listen more to personal letters or personal connections from people in your parishcommunity.

By working with existing advocacy groups at the local, state, national and international levelas discussed in Step 1, you will contribute to a clear and compelling message that will be

repeated often in the communication and education efforts of multiple advocates. This kindof consistency of message is key and a critical reason for working with existing advocacygroups to maximize your parishs efforts. Those groups with dedicated staff who work onadvocacy are constantly evaluating the political context around any given issue so as tocraft a message for maximum success.

As you design your timeline and action plan using the action ideas of the Catholic groupsdoing advocacy discussed above, think about creating action opportunities that involve andempower your fellow parishioners. The more people who are involved, the more likelymomentum for change will be created.

Finally, celebrate your successes as you achieve goals, no matter how small! Celebratingsuccess motivates advocates, legislators and staff for continued commitment and progress.


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Part III: Tools You Can Use

Fr a m i n g Yo u r I s su e

Once you have identified your vision, goals and advocacy strategy, you can begin to look tothe Catholic advocacy groups discussed above to construct a strategy for how you frameor talk about your issue. The way you talk about your issue and get the media, public, and

elected officials to portray and discuss it can largely impact how open they are to thesolutions you propose. The Catholic advocacy groups youre in relationship with have givenmuch thought to how to best frame each issue. Framing is an ongoing and long-termprocess and there are professionals who devote their work to it. Understanding the basicideas and questions below will make you a savvier advocate when you use your voice forjustice.

What is Framing?

Not surprisingly, the word framing means different things to different people. Advocatessometimes think of framing as using a catchy slogan to attract attention to your issue ofconcern. Yet framing runs deeper than slogans and messages that change with the context

and needs of a specific moment in time. Sonja Herbert of the Berkeley Media Studies Groupdefines frames as, the mental structures that help people understand the world, basedon particular assumptions and values.8

The idea is that none of us is a blank slate. We receive and understand information andform opinions based on our past experiences, our deeply held values and the frameworkswe use to understand causes and consequences of the actions we see in the world. Thelegislators and public that you engage will filter all of the data you gather and the messagesyou create through their framework and values.

Frames will not only impact how people understand your parishs advocacy work and yourissue, but also who they see as responsible for solving it and what solutions they believe willwork. Examine, for example, how one dominant framework in our culture, the importance

ofindividual choice and responsibility for ones own success, impacts a conversation abouthealth. Discussing the problem of a rising number of overweight children in low-incomeurban neighborhoods within this individual responsibilityframe leads to solutions like,Families should exercise more, or Parent should feed their children healthy foods.

This framework ignores the context in which individuals make choices about their lives. Itignores the possibilities that an urban neighborhood with heavy traffic may not be a safeplace for children to play and exercise, that the family may not own a car or live nearquality public transportation to reach grocery stores that do not locate in low-incomeneighborhoods, or that families scraping by from month to month may be forced to chooselower-quality, cheaper foods over fruits and vegetables. Framing the individuals choices inthe context of an unhealthy communityhelps advocates to argue effectively for institutional

solutions like the construction of public parks, or zoning laws that give incentives to grocerystores and limit fast food restaurants.

By framing an issue well, you can impact howyour problem and solutions are portrayed anddiscussed. The steps below will help you think about how to draw connections betweenindividual stories and their social context as you work to frame your issues.

8 Herbert, Sonja. Build Strong Foundations: Find the Right Frame. The Advocacy Institute Newsletter. April

2006. Accessed 12 Aug. 2006. Online http://www.advocacy.org/enews/archive/06-04-Framing.html.


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Want to Frame,

but Short on Time?

Let Catholic Charities USA,

Network and Catholic Relief

Services Help!

You do not have to start from scratch todefine potential solutions to the problemyou have identified or to explain the

values that underlie your position! Visit

these web sites for help:

Catholic Charities USAwww.catholiccharitiesusa.org/advocacy

for issue briefs that explain the Catholicsocial teaching and values that underlie

Catholic positions on various policy

issues, as well as the solutions Catholic

Charities supports at a national level.

Networkwww.networklobby.org/issues/index.htmlfor background on the vision and values

rooted in Catholic social teaching that

guide Networks advocacy efforts.

Catholic Relief Serviceshttp://advocacy.crs.org for an

understanding of the CRS mission and

how that mission drives the CRS advocacyagenda.

Basic Framing Tips

D o Yo u r H o m e w o r k : To frame an issue successfully, be sure to understand the currentframes used to talk about it by the Catholic advocacy groups youve turned to for guidance.They recognize that most legislators and the public form opinions on issues based on mediacoverage, and they track the issues that they advocate for in the media both print andelectronic. Questions they ask are:

What do articles and reports tellpeople about the problem?

Why is it important and who caresabout it?

What are the solutions, or whoshould fix it?

If they find an issue framed in a way thatwill not support solutions that are just,they will think about how the data andtrends can help tell the story anotherway.

De f i n e Y o u r C o r e V a l u e s : Facts, data,and policy arguments can intimidatepeople who could be potential championsfor your cause. Often times it is moreeffective to connect to peoples values.Values connect to our emotions andshape our motivations for taking action.Think about these questions:

What values are central toour vision?

What values will resonatewith those we seek toinfluence?

How can we show that thisproblem impacts all of us?(Refer to Catholic socialteaching on the commongoodto help answer thisquestion).

Com m u n i c a t i n g W i t h i n Y o u r Fr a m e :

Once you have defined your values andframe for discussing your issue, work to

communicate it in every message youcreate. Messages will change as yourstrategy changes and no two advocateswill deliver a message in the same way.However, if you speak within your framework of values you will remain consistent, butflexible.


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The Berkeley Media Studies Group and The Praxis Project recommend that messages withinyour framework clearly answer these three questions9:

1. Whats Wrong? Focus on a specific part of the problem rather than trying toexplain the entire issue. Try to show how individuals are impacted by socialinstitutions.

2. Why does it matter? Communicate your underlying values here.3. What should be done about it? Who and what are involved in the solution?

Communicate an achievable, concise action step.

Cu l t i v a t i n g R e l a t i o n s h i p s w i t h Y o u r E le c t e d O f f i c ia l s

We are not only called by faith to participate in our government, but we also realize thatparticipation in the political process can make a huge impact on the lives of the mostvulnerable among us, locally, nationally and internationally. You have importantexperiences and perspectives to share about the needs of your community, your state, ournation and our world.

You bring passion, energy and knowledge to an advocacy effort. Now, add to that savvy fordeveloping relationships with your elected officials that will help you deliver your message

and convince them to take action. The tips below lay out relationship-building basics, whilethe following sections delve into more detail on specific tactics.

Why should I cultivate relationships with elected officials?

Elected officials be they at the local, state or national level have to address a multitudeof issues. They cannot be experts on everything. They often seek input from constituentsthat they trust, so building a relationship can help to ensure that your official trusts yourvoice. Legislative staff continually analyzes the strengths, weaknesses and impacts ofprograms and policies. However, they cannot always keep track of the impact of thosepolicies. When you develop relationships with them, they will turn to you to betterunderstand the impact of policies that you advocate for.

How do I begin?

Your first step should be to determine what contact has already been established betweenthe legislator and your diocese or the state and national Catholic groups doing advocacydiscussed earlier in this manual Catholic Charities USA, Network, the United StatesConference of Catholic Bishops, Catholic Relief Services and your state Catholic conference(if your state has one). Has diocesan or local Catholic Charities staff sent the legislatorinformation or letters? Has the legislator responded to those letters or asked for input onissues or legislation?

If not, then begin by remembering that though you probably have an immediate agenda for example, a bill you want your legislator to support your goal should be to develop a

long-term relationship and become a trusted expert and resource for the office. Therelationship should outlast your immediate needs, because the issues of concern to you maychange with time. When establishing a new relationship, keep the following tips in mind:

Do your Homework. Discover your legislators main interests and connections heor she may have to your issue area. Learn how he or she has voted in the past on

9 Berkeley Media Studies Group and The Praxis Project. Meta-Messaging: Framing Your Case andReinforcing

Your Allies. Jan. 2005. Accessed Aug 12, 2006: http://www.bmsg.org/documents/MetaMessagingfinal.pdf.


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Let Catholic Charities USA & Network

Put Federal Voting Records at Your

Fingertips

By entering your zip code into Catholic Charities

USAs E-Advocacy Tool, you can have weekly e-

mails sent to you that report how your Senators and

Representative voted. Youll also be alerted toupcoming votes with links to letters you can send

directly to urge them to vote a certain way. Sign up at:

http://capwiz.com/catholiccharitiesusa/megavote/

You can also visit Networks Legislative Action

Center, where you can enter your zip code to learnhow your Senators and Representative voted on a

particular bill. Visit:

http://capwiz.com/networklobby/keyvotes.xc/?lvl=C

your issue. If your issue is on the local or state level, visit their web sites to findvoting histories. If this is a federal issue, you can learn how your Representative orSenator voted by:

o Signing up for Catholic Charities USAs E-mail Voting Alerts; (see box below)o Visiting Networks Legislative Action Center (see box below);o Searching House and Senate voting records:http://clerk.house.gov or

http://www.senate.gov/pagelayout/legislative/a_three_sections_with_teasers/votes.htm

Learn Preferences. Ask members of the legislators staff how they prefer toreceive communication (e-mail, fax, letter, etc.).

Visit the LegislatorsOffice. Go in person tomeet the legislator andmembers of staff.Connecting faces to nameswill make yourcommunications morepersonal and effective (SeeFace to Face: How to Visit

your Legislator). Track your Actions. Keep

a record of the people withwhom you interact, whenyou work with them, andwhat you discuss. Thisrecord will help withstrategizing, and also willserve other members of theparish who may assumeyour role in the future.

Say Thank You. You willsee this advice repeated

often in these pages. ALWAYS thank your legislators and their staff both privately inletters and e-mails, and publicly in the media when possible. They will appreciatethe recognition for working for good causes and remember that you contributed totheir positive image.

What should I do if my diocese or local Catholic Charities agency has already

contacted our legislators?

Keep in Touch. Update thelegislator and his or her staffperiodically about the work of yourparish and key issues or challenges

in your community. Be sure to telldiocesan or local Catholic Charitiesstaff that has also been in contactwith your legislator about yourcommunication with the legislator.

Extend Invitations. Invite yourlegislator to major events,celebrations, or meetings in the

community or at your parish, or simply encourage him or her to visit your parish


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o The Honorable [Full Name of Representative]

United States House of RepresentativesWashington, DC 20515

Dear Representative [Last Name]:

o Be Succinct. Make your points clearly and concisely. Stick to one page and onespecific issue, communicating just the key facts.

o Be Courteous. No matter how passionate you are about your issue, remember tobe polite. You want to build a relationship and become a trusted future resource.

o Identify Yourself. State your reason for writing and your role within your parish inyour first sentence.

o Identify the Problem. Give details about your issue, providing facts andexperiences from your unique perspective whenever possible.

o Identify the Bill. If you are writing about a particular bill, identify it by nameand/or number. When writing to your federal Representative or Senators, rememberthat each chamber names its bills. House bills are named H.R. ; while Senate billsare named S. .

o Propose a Solution. Explain your views in support or opposition of a proposal, andwhat impact it would have on your community. Make sure your solution is linked tothe advocacy efforts of the national Catholic advocacy organizations discussed earlierin this manual. A consistent message that is in keeping with other Catholic advocacy

efforts will increase your effectiveness.

o Make your Ask. Ask your legislator to take a specific action, again, tying yourrequest back to any national Catholic advocacy efforts on your issue.

o Request a Response. Request a specific response, and follow up.

o Say Thank You. Everyone likes to know that they make a difference. Thank yourlegislator for past action, and for their attention to your issue.

o Include Contact Info. Be sure to give your full name, phone number and e-mailaddress in case the legislator or members of staff have questions. Also, envelopesmay be detached, so include your return address on your letter.

Tips for Writing Effective E-mails


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E-mail has made it possible to communicate with your legislators right up until they vote onyour issue. Many offices prefer to receive communication electronically, and most havedeveloped procedures for how to receive e-mail and respond to it. On the federal level,advocates have become savvy at using mass e-mail campaigns at strategic points topressure members of Congress to vote for or against legislation.

Use the tips above to craft your e-mail. Also, keep these additional things in mind:

o Use a Clear Subject Line. In the chance that your e-mail is not opened, creating aclear subject line can still make an impact. Include your action request in thesubject line. For example, if writing to your Representative to encourage him or herto vote against a particular bill, write: Vote NO on H.R. , in the subject line.

o Keep it Brief. E-mail is meant to be a brief, quick form of communication. Limityour correspondence to a few paragraphs, and use bullets or numbers where youcan.

o Include Your Address. Be sure to include your postal mailing address to confirmthat you are a constituent.

o Follow Up! Your legislator will very likely respond to your correspondence. If he orshe did what you asked, respond immediately to say thank you for his or hersupport. If the response is vague or does not directly say what the legislator hasdone about the issue, write again and ask for clarification. Your persistence willshow that you feel seriously about the issue, and expect your elected representativesto take it seriously also. You will also develop a relationship and credibility as atrusted source of information on the issue.

Also, please share any meaningful interaction with or responses from your legislator withyour pastor, parish leadership and anyone at the diocese, your local Catholic Charities

agency or national level Catholic advocacy group who you have been in contact with.

Sample Letter to Members of U.S. Congress:

January 9, 2005_______Catholic Church123 Main StreetAnytown, USA

Dear Representative,

As the House moves into a new year and toward a vote on the Senate-approved budget

reconciliation conference report, I am writing on behalf of _______ Catholic Church, one ofAnytowns largest parishes, to urge you and your colleagues to oppose a budget that willcompromise the health and well-being of some the poorest and most vulnerable in ournation.

The Senate-approved bill attempts to exercise fiscal discipline by cutting programs crucial tothe well-being of low-income children, vulnerable families, the elderly and the disabled. Thebill cuts back funding for child support enforcement, adds new provisions to Medicaid that


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will harm low-income recipients, raises TANF work requirements that put additional burdenson states, and cuts kinship foster care.

Every day in our community we witness the struggle that low-income families andindividuals must go through to make ends meet. The funding and program changesproposed in this budget conference agreement will only serve to push low-income familiesand individuals further behind.

On behalf of ______ Catholic Church, I strongly urge you to oppose a budget that will hurtthe poorest and most vulnerable in our communities. Our Catholic tradition teaches thatsociety, acting through government, has a special obligation to consider first the needs ofthe poor, yet the proposed budget cuts put a disproportionate burden on the poor thosewho can least afford it.

Sincerely yours,

___________ Catholic ChurchAnytown, USA

I t s Y o u r C a l l : Connecting with your Legislator by Phone

Calling your legislator allows you to communicate your views quickly and thus impact anissue almost immediately. Thus, the phone call proves a powerful tool when a vote isimminent and you want to ensure that your legislator votes a particular way. If calling yourU.S. Representative or Senators, it is best to call the legislators Washington D.C. office, asmessages taken in the home state or district offices may not be passed on immediately.The same can be said when calling your state Representative or Senator, always call theiroffice at the state capitol.

To reach your federal legislators office, call the U.S. Capitol Switchboard at (202)224-3121

and ask for your legislator by name. Calling the switchboard is just as fast as dialing theoffice directly. To reach your state legislators office, visit your state governments web sitefor up to date contact information.

Use the tips below to prepare to make an effective call.

Before the Call

Know Your Issue. Decide which oneor two points you want to make beforeyou call. If your diocese, local CatholicCharities agency or one of the nationallevel Catholic groups doing advocacy

discussed earlier in this manual havebeen working on this issue, know whatpoints they consider most important soyour message is consistent.

Practice. Create an outline or scriptand practice it. Practicing will boostyour confidence and improve how you deliver your message.


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During the Call

Ask for the staff member who handles your issue. If that person is notavailable, you should still speak with the staff member who answers the phone, whowill pass on your message. Talking with the person who handles your issue can bemost effective, while talking with the second will be more efficient.

Be Brief. You will not have time to persuade or debate. Practicing your callbeforehand will help you to fit in your key information in a few short minutes.

Identify Yourself. Give your full name, your location, and your role in your parish.Be sure to say that you are a constituent and say where you live.

Identify Your Issue. Identify your issue or a bill by name if you can. Give Specific Examples. If you can, give an example of how the legislation would

affect you, or would make a positive or negative impact in your community or state,or our nation or our world.

Ask for Support. Ask for your legislators position on legislation or the issue, andthen urge him or her to support your position.

Offer Additional Information. Offer further information to support your position.This can help build your relationship with the office and establish you as a trustedresource on your issue.

Say Thank You. Remember to thank your legislator for considering your point ofview, even if he or she does not agree.

Leave a Message. If no one answers, be sure to leave a message identifying whoyou are, where you live, and whether you would like your legislator to support oroppose a bill. Staff members will listen and count the number of calls received for oragainst a bill.

After the Call

Record. Make a record of your call that includes the name of the member of staffwith whom you spoke, your legislators view on the issue or bill, what you asked yourlegislator to do, and any other important information from the call. You will wantthis written history of your communication with an office as you work to build a

relationship over time. Follow Up. This written record can also guide your follow up steps. If your

legislator takes your position on a bill or issue, make sure to send a thank you lettercommending the action. If you promised to send more information, always followthrough to establish yourself as a trustworthy expert on your issue. If your legislatordid not vote as you would have liked, continue to call and write about the issue.Explain politely but clearly that you are unhappy with the position and reiterate whyyou believe yours is important.

Example Call Script

Greeting: Good morning ___________

Introduction: My name is Jane Smith, and I am calling as both a registered voter in

Anytownand a member of _____________ parish.

Purpose of Call:First, Id like to thank you for your support of affordable housing for lowincome families and your vote last May for increased funding under the Bill Name.

The program has given 120 families inAnytown a new start in safer neighborhoods,while creating 24 new construction jobs for local workers as the units were built.

I urge you to continue to champion affordable housing and vote yes for a $48million funding increase to the program in the bill, S. ## that will be debated on the


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floor this week. Please urge your colleagues on the Senate AppropriationsCommittee to do the same.

Thanks: Thank you very much, ___________ for your time and for considering myconcerns and request. Please contact me at 444-4444 if I can provide moreinformation about the need for this program or its impact in our community.

Fa c e t o F a ce : How to Visit your Legislator

Conducting a personal visit with your local, state or federal legislator proves an effectiveway of delivering your message about an important issue. Partnering with a constituentserved by your parish or local Catholic Charities who is directly impacted by an issue canhave an even greater impact. Be sure to prepare and practice with everyone who goes onthe visit to make sure that each person has an integral role.

Use the tips below to prepare for an effective visit.

Before the Visit

To request a visit, contact your legislators scheduler (at least a few weeks before the date

you would like to visit) and communicate who you are and the parish you represent, howmuch time you would like (15-30 minutes), the names of others who will join you, and theissue you wish to discuss. To find contact information for members of the U.S. Congress,see http://capwiz.com/catholiccharitiesusa/home/. To find contact information for localand state legislators, visit your local or state government web site.

On c e y o u h a v e s c h e d u l e d y o u r v i s i t , b e su r e t o :

Do Your Homework. Be sure to learn about your legislator before your visit.Understand his or her priority issues, so you can draw connections between yourissue and those priorities, and know how he or she has supported your position inthe past or addressed your issue in the community. Find federal legislators websites at: www.house.gov or www.senate.gov.

Create a One-Pager. Create a succinct, one-page description of your issue orprogram. Use bullet points, facts about the impact of a program in your communityand personal stories. See Creating Fact Sheets later in this guide.

Practice. Practice delivering your message. If more than one person is going,involve everyone but clearly define a leader and who will say what. Think ofcounter-arguments to yourposition, and how you willrespond to them.

Call to Confirm. Call theoffice the day before yourvisit to confirm. If on theday of the visit you are

running late, call ahead towarn the office. The busystaff will appreciate thenotice.

During the Visit

Arrive Early. Be sure toarrive early. Legislators are


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very busy and sometimes fall behind schedule. Be prepared to be flexible, and if youhave multiple visits in one day, allow plenty of time between them to account forlong appointments and time needed to find the next office.

Be Courteous. Be polite, but direct when you interact with your legislator ormember of staff. Do not worry if you do not actually meet with your legislator.Members of staff are the experts on their issues and inform the legislator regularly,and often actually write legislation.

Introduce Yourself and Your Issue. State the purpose of your visit why youare there, the parish you represent and what you want to talk about. Never assumethat your legislator or a member of staff will remember you from a previous visit, asthey see many people regularly.

Be Local. Use examples from your personal experience and work in your parish andcommunity to bring a human face to the issue. Be politically savvy, connecting yourissue to your legislators priorities and the best interests of your community.

Answer Questions. Be prepared to answer questions. If you do not know ananswer, be honest and promise to get back to the legislator and staff (and do!)

Make Your Ask. Ask what position your legislator takes on the issue. Ask even ifyou think you already know. Hearing how your legislator communicates his or herpoint of view will help you to better craft your message in the future. Then, make aspecific request for an action that you would like your legislator to take. As always,

knowing what advocacy messages other local and national Catholic groups havedelivered in the past and delivering that same message during your visit will increaseyour effectiveness.

Establish Next Steps. Determine who will follow up with certain action steps afterthe visit. Will you send more information? Will a member of staff call you afterspeaking with the legislator? Be sure to leave your full contact information.

After the Visit

Thank Your Legislator. Send a thank you soon after your visit. Thank membersof the legislators staff, if you met with them, as they often go un-thanked.

Keep Your Promises. If you promised to find answers to questions or send moreinformation, do it! Establish yourself as a valuable resource. Periodic follow up to

check on legislation will also keep attention on your issue. Record: Take notes or mental notes during your visit and record them to use the

next time you prepare for a visit to the same office. Take Action. Perhaps you learned something in your visit that can motivate a new

letter campaign, media strategy or grassroots effort. If your visit was particularlypositive, you can inform the media and help your member look good in the press.

Be Patient. It can take numerous repeated visits to an office before you can get anagreement to act from your legislator. Be patient, but persistent!

T h e P o w e r o f P r e s s : How to Write Effective Letters to the Editor

Well-crafted letters to the editor can be highly effective advocacy tools. Legislators know

that they are one of the most widely read sections of newspapers and magazines, and theyuse letters to the editor to monitor the thoughts of their constituents. Letters can alsoconvince editorial writers to take a stand on an issue or reporters to explore it in furtherdetail. Use the tips below:

Check the Style. Investigate the publications preferred length, style and format byreading letters currently in the publication and by looking at submissionrequirements either in the publication or on its web site.


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Be Concise. Many publications often prefer letters to be 250 words or less. Checkif your local paper has a specific word limit.

Be Quick. Timeliness is critical as publications often publish letters responding toarticles, editorials or other letters the day afterthey appear. Try to respond quicklythrough e-mail or fax. You can connect to your local media electronically throughCatholic Charities USAs E-Advocacy Toolhttp://capwiz.com/catholiccharitiesusa/dbq/media/.

Answer Back. Your letter is more likely to be published if you respond to anotherarticle or letter. Be sure to reference the article or letter in your response, citingwhat upset or pleased you about it.

Capture Attention. Capture the readers attention with a strong first sentence.Then, use active verbs and avoid using many adjectives.

Stay Focused. Limit your letter to one topic. Stay Local. Try to connect readers to your issue by including how it will impact

your local community. Personal stories can also be effective. Be Honest. Be sure to check your quotes and facts. Be persuasive but never resort

to personal attacks. Identify Yourself. Remember to include your name, parish name, address and

telephone number(s). The publication will likely want to verify that the senderactually wrote the letter.

Say Thank You. Be sure to follow up published letters with a thank you to theeditor. Keep Your Diocese, Local Catholic Charities Agency and National Catholic

Advocacy Groups Informed. Please send copies of your published letters to yourdioceses social concerns office, your local Catholic Charities and any nationalCatholic advocacy groups working on the issue, so that their lobbying staffs remainaware of the messages seen by your legislators in their home districts.

How to Write an Op-Ed

Use the tips below as you consider submitting an op-ed.

Check the Style. Read the publications op-ed section often to see typical lengthand format. See the publications web site or call to find out submission guidelines.

Create Your Op-Ed. Create a draft of your op-ed using the tips above for letters tothe editor.

Make Your Pitch. Send a letter to pitch the importance of your op-ed to thepublication and attach a draft.

Be Timely. Submit your pitch letter and draft as early as possible so that you canmake requested changes before the deadline.

Respect Exclusivity. Some publications require that an op-ed be submitted andpublished exclusively by them. Be sure to check before sending your op-ed tomultiple sources.

Say Thank You. Be sure to thank editors for published op-eds. Keep Your Diocese, Local Catholic Charities Agency and National Catholic

Advocacy Groups Informed. Please send copies of your published op-ed to yourdioceses social concerns office, your local Catholic Charities and any nationalCatholic advocacy groups working on the issue, so that their lobbying staffs remainaware of the messages seen by your legislators in their home districts.

Sam p l e Le t t e r t o t h e Ed i t o r

To the Editor:


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Ten years ago this month, sweeping changes were made to our nations welfare laws. Now,as we approach the anniversary of this landmark, new changes made to those welfare lawscould sabotage the success millions of families have made to become self-sufficient andlimit opportunities for those still on welfare. The new law significantly narrows the ability ofstates and their community partners, such as Catholic Charities of the Diocese ofAnytown,to help low-income families transition to self-sufficiency.

If we are going to help all families become independent, government must provide themwith ample opportunities to gain the necessary skills to do so. Unfortunately, the newwelfare changes restrict the ability of hard working low-income people to move forward tobetter jobs by limiting education and training opportunities.

Also, as a result of the new changes, thousands of children are at risk of losing their welfarebenefits if their parents fail to meet unrealistic work requirements. Catholic social teachingemphasizes the importance of work as a means of participating in society. However, it is notappropriate to teach this ethic by bargaining with the well being and safety of children andfamilies.

We are calling on the administration to support policies that provide better opportunities forvulnerable families to develop the skills necessary to be independent.

Sincerely,

Your NameTitleParish/OrganizationAddress and other contact information

S am p l e O p - Ed Opinion: Making the Right Repairs to a Broken Immigration System

Our nations immigration system is broken, separating families with bureaucratic backlogs,keeping 11 million undocumented workers in the shadows and causing undue hardship tothose who are seeking to build a new life in America. How our nations leaders fix thisbroken immigration system will say a great deal about who we are and what we value as anation.

To make the comprehensive repairs that are really needed to this broken system, Congressneeds a better set of plans, a different set of tools and stronger political will. America shouldhave an immigration policy that promotes the dignity of individuals and supports families asthe most important unit of society.

The Catholic Churchs position on immigration reform is based on more than 100 years ofexperience in aiding and employing immigrants. Each year, Catholic Charities agencies help

more than half a million immigrants and refugees with legal services, language instruction,job training and placement, and social services. As church, we are witness to the incrediblecapacity for hard work and strong family life of newcomers who are looking to succeed intheir adopted country. At the same time, each day we observe the unjust andcounterproductive effects of U.S. immigration policies which separate families andundermine workplace fairness.

Catholic social teaching instructs us to recognize the natural rights of every human being,including the right to migrate. And our experience reminds us of our nations history as a


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welcoming home for people in search of a better life. As the U.S. Senate moves forward onimmigration reform legislation, I strongly encourage senators to seek comprehensive reformthat protects U.S. security, puts undocumented laborers and their families on the path tolawful permanent residence and citizenship, and creates greater legal avenues for necessaryworkers to enter this country.

Our nations laws must give undocumented immigrants currently living in the U.S. theopportunity to earn the right to remain provided they pass security and criminalbackground checks. In addition, we agree with business groups who want greater legalmeans by which needed workers can be admitted, both temporarily and permanently, to fillavailable jobs. At the same time, our government should assure that worker visa programsadequately protect the wages and working conditions of U.S. and immigrant workers.

Its shameful when our government policies keep families apart when we should be seekingto keep families intact. Currently, 1 million applications are pending for family members tobecome lawful permanent residents, and the average processing time is more than a year.Families are the cornerstone of a strong society, and more visas should be made availableto ensure family unity.

Make no mistake, we agree that immigration reform should include improved security to

protect our nation from terrorists and criminals who are seeking entry to the United States.We believe that effective enforcement requires smart inspections and screening processes,fair proceedings, efficient processing, as well as strategies for cracking down on smugglers.These broad reforms will better integrate and promote the success of newcomers to ournation while also improving the economic prospects, health, labor protections, and stabilityof all U.S. residents.

Human dignity represents the precondition and ultimate end of a just society. Theopportunity to reform our nations immigration system is also an opportunity to advance thecause of human dignity. We must not waste it.

Fa c e t h e F a c t s : How to Create Effective Fact Sheets

As an advocate, you know that one of your main tasks is educating about your issue. Youmust raise awareness of problems and solutions in the public, in the media, and amongelected officials and decision makers. Fact sheets are 1-2 page documents (one is best)that educate about your issue and communicate your position and solutions. Written clearlyand concisely, fact sheets make your case without exceeding the time or attention span ofyour readers.

Fact sheets should be altered to fit each specific audience, when possible. The tips belowwill help you structure an effective fact sheet for any audience.

Creating an Effective Fact Sheet

Plan Before You Write

o Choose ONE topic. Keep it simple. If you have more than one subject to cover,make separate fact sheets.


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Too Busy to Create that Fact Sheet?

Let National Catholic Advocacy

Groups Help!

Theyve already done the research. Issue Briefs andOne-Pagers contain background information on avariety of issues. The briefs include the Catholic

social teaching behind the position, general

information about the problem and current solutions

that we support. Use them as a base for your factsheet and then add specific local needs and situations.

Catholic Charities USA Issue Briefs:http://www.catholiccharitiesusa.org/advocacy/

Network Issue Briefs:http://www.networklobby.org/issues/index.html

United States Conference of Catholic Bishops IssueBriefs: http://www.usccb.org/sdwp/national/ and

http://www.usccb.org/sdwp/international/

Catholic Relief Services Issue Briefs:http://www.crs.org/get_involved/advocacy/index.cfm

o Know your audience andwhat they already knowabout your topic.

o Consider your goals:What do you want yourreaders to understand?What action do you wantthem to take?

o Make sure to includefacts, not opinions. Usedata that you havegathered from yourdiocese and local CatholicCharities agency andnational Catholicadvocacy groups workingon your issue. Createcharts or graphs for datawhere possible.

o If you refer to research orreports on your issue, besure to cite the sources ofthe information.

Design a User-Friendly Fact

Sheet

o Identify your parishclearly on the fact sheet;use a logo if possible.

o Limit the fact sheet toone to two pages.

o Develop a clear messageand use simple language to communicate that message.

o Use bullets, question-and-answer, or subheadings to break up information intosmaller portions.

o Use few numbers. If using numbers, try to put them in graph, chart or picture formso they are easy to understand.

Make it Easy to Take Action

o Provide contact information a name, telephone number, e-mail address and website address for those who want to learn more.

o Provide other sources or links for further information.o Be clear about the specific action you want readers to take and give them the tools

to do so (phone numbers, event dates, talking points, etc).


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Part IV: Appendices and Resources

A p p e n d i x A : Catholic Social Teaching Resources

This first appendix outlines numerous resources for further study of Catholic social teaching.The resources are divided into those with the Primary Authority of the Catholic Church the

Bible, the Papal Encyclicals, Bishops pastoral letters and the Catechism and those withSecondary Authority such as publications written by people and organizations outside theCatholic Church about its social teaching.

Primary AuthoritiesThe New American Bible

The Papal EncyclicalsBishops Pastoral Letters

Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the ChurchCatechism of the Catholic Church

Secondary AuthoritiesBooks on the Key Themes of Catholic Social Teaching

Outlines of the History and Themes of the Papal Encyclicals

Primary Authorities

The documents in each of the following sections are followed by links to online sourceswhere you can access the text. Additionally, the following resources contain acomprehensive library of sources from all of the categories listed below.

The Holy See: This is the Web site of the Vatican. You can search and accessthe texts of the Catechism, Church teaching, Papal writings and addresses, etc.

Visit the site at http://www.vatican.va/phome_en.htm. The Theology Library: This online resource of Spring Hope College provides

resources and links to topics and further resources ranging from Church teaching,encyclicals and Bishops letters to explanations of the liturgy and topics of socialjustice. Visit the site at http://www.shc.edu/theolibrary/index.htm. The site alsocontains a list of Catholic Internet directories, which you can access athttp://www.shc.edu/theolibrary/dir.htm.

The Bible

The Hebrew Scriptures often refer to justice and provide guidance and foundations for

Catholic Social Teaching. Some of these references follow:

Micah 6 The Lord requires us, To do justice, love tenderly, and walk humbly withyour God.

Exodus 22 Explains social laws requiring care for the Anawim the widow, orphan,and the alien;

Deut 15:11 Because the poor are always with us, we must open our hands Prophets Isaiah (the entire book); Habakkuk 1,2 Jubilee Justice Lv. 25:8-17


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New Testament References:

Public Ministry of Jesus Luke 4:18: Jesus brings good tidings to the poor andfreedom to the oppressed.

The Rich Man and Lazarus Luke 16:19: He who was rich in life and did not help hisneighbor finds himself poor in death.

The Beatitudes Matthew 5; Blessed are the meek, those who thirst forrighteousness, those who show mercy, etc.

The Good Samaritan Luke 10:29 The Judgment of the Nations Matthew 25:31: Nations are judged for how they

treat the least among them.

Papal Encyclicals

Papal Encyclicals are documents written by the Pope for the universal Church that pertainordinarily to doctrinal, moral, or disciplinary matters. Through these letters, the Popeexercises his ordinary magisterium or declarations that are then subject to future change.Catholics must assent to the doctrinal and moral content of these documents. The

following documents may prove useful as you study Catholic social teaching. Each of themcan be accessed at the Vatican Web site. Choose the appropriate Pope and then search hislisted works at http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/.

Rerum Novarum (The Condition of Labor), Pope Leo XIII, 1891. Quadragesimo Anno (After Forty Years), Pope Pius XI, 1931. Mater et Magistra (Christianity and Social Progress), Pope John XXIII, 1961. Pacem in Terris (Peace on Earth), Pope John XXIII, 1961. Populorum Progresso (On the Development of Peoples), Pope Paul VI, 1967. Octogesima Adveniens (A call to Action), Pope Paul VI, 1971.T h e e n c y c l ic a ls o f P o p e J o h n P a u l I I o n s o c i a l j u s t i c e :

Laborum Exercem (On Human Work), 1981. Sollicitudo Rei Socialis (The Social Concerns of the Church), 1988. Centesimus Annus (100 Years), 1991. Evangelium Vitae (The Gospel of Life), 1995. Fides et Ratio (Faith and Reason), 1998.D o c u m e n t s o f V a t ic an I I ( 1 9 6 5 ) o n s o c ia l j u s t i ce :

Access these documents athttp://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/.

Lumen Gentium (Pastoral Constitution on the Church). Gaudium et Spes (The Church in the Modern World). Ad Gentes (On Missionary Activity of the Church).

Bishops Pastoral Letters and Statements

These documents ar

Taking Action a Parish Strategy for Legislative Advocacy

Documents

Transcript of Taking Action a Parish Strategy for Legislative Advocacy