Post on 03-Oct-2021
How to Navigate the Hill
and Engage with Media
Sable K. Nelson, Esq.
Policy Analyst
NMAC
If you have a question during
this webinar…
FYI: Everyone’s audio has
been muted by the
Presenter.
ADVOCACY
BASICS
My name is
Erika West
4
I am a Director at The
Raben Group.
Your Raben Team
5
Justin Wilson
Senior Associate
Erin Darbouze
Associate
James Colligan
Associate
1.Why Advocate
2.Advocacy Principles
3.Advocacy Goals
4.Planning your Meeting
5.Conducting Your Meeting
a. Dos & Don’ts
6.Concluding Your Meeting
7.Expectations
8.Following Up
Table of Contents
6
Let’s get comfortable with the process of advocating on the Hill and set you up for success.
“If you’re not at the table, you’re on the
menu.
7
Why
Advocate?Advocacy allows you to
influence the
development &
implementation of
effective public
policies.
It brings your
expertise to bear on
policy decisions.
Many
constituencies
have a limited
voice in the
policy process;
advocacy
encourages
movement
beyond a “one-
size fits all”
approach.
8
Principles
of AdvocacyAdvocacy is not a one time activity.
Successful advocacy is about
building a relationship over time
with elected officials, regulators,
and their staff.
Mutual respect and trust provide
the best foundation for
educating, and ultimately
convincing, someone of your
position.
9
Trust
Repetition
Relationships
Goals of
Advocacy
10
Be recognized by policymakers and
regulators as a familiar and trusted
resource.
Be pro-actively sought out to
answer questions and provide
feedback regarding legislation and
regulation.
Have policymakers understandyour issues.
ADVOCACY
Conduct the Perfect Meeting
11
Once your team is together,
determine who will speak and
when.
Know your audience.
Prepare what you plan to ask for,
and stay on script.
Planning
Your
Meeting
12
• Be concise. Plan on meeting for no
more than 15 minutes.
• Leave time for the official to
respond.
• In applicable, know the bill
number or name of the legislation.
• Speak from your area of expertise.
• Find out where the official stands
on the issue.
• Ask specific questions, and try to
get specific commitments.
• Say so if you’re a constituent.
● Suck up all the oxygen.
● Don’t get overzealous.
● Issue explicit or veiled
threats.
● Guess the answer to a
question.
● Leave without clarity on next
steps.
● Bring politics into a meeting.
Do This...
13
Do Not...
Ask if there are any other questions.
End on a positive note and express thanks,
even if the meeting was not ideal.
If you’ve been asked a question you didn’t
know the answer to, reiterate that you will
follow up.
Remind the official that you want to act as a
resource.
Concluding
your
Meeting
14
At least one person in your group should
write a personal thank you letter.
In your letter to the official, remind them
of any commitments made during your
meeting.
If staff were in that meeting, an e-mail
to them is appropriate.
Keep in touch with relevant data!
Following
Up
15
Notes, Tips, and Tricks
16
Even if you are scheduled to meet with the
official him- or herself, there may be a
change of plans you might have to meet
with staff.
A meeting with the principal could last only
five minutes.
You may need to meet in an unplanned
location or strange setting (hallways,
anterooms).
Staff that you meet with may be young.
What to
Expect
17
Member meetings always can be
canceled. Don’t take it personally.
Stick together and stay with your
groups.
Don’t worry about getting lost! Use
your map and don’t hesitate to ask
someone if you can’t find your way.
Things to
Remember
18
Logistical
Odds and
Ends
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Take advantage of Mission Control.Located in Dirksen Cafeteria in the morning
and Longworth in the afternoon
Choose a deputy.
Senate meetings take place in the AM
& House meetings are in the PM.
Getting
Around
Capitol Hill
20
Have fun
on the Hill!21
Switching Gears…
Media
Interviewing
101
Interviewing Basics
• Prepare responses to difficult questions
• Each question demands– Response
– Transition
– Message
• Keep it simple
Four Easy Steps
#1 Listen.
Four Easy Steps
#1 Listen. #2 Pause.
Four Easy Steps
#1 Listen. #2 Pause. #3 Respond.
Four Easy Steps
#1 Listen. #2 Pause. #3 Respond.
#4 Stop Talking!
Interviewing Basics
• Don’t ramble
• Be quotable!
• Don’t repeat negative language
• You are always “on the record”
Bridging
• Before we continue, let me emphasize that…
• However, what is more important to look at
is…
• I think it would be more correct to say…
• Another thing to remember is…
• While…is important, it is also important to
remember…
Flagging
• What your audience needs to know is …
• What I want to be sure you understand here
is...
• The critical point is…
• If there’s one point viewers need to
understand…
NMAC Message
We now have a path to potentially end the HIV epidemic. But
the Trump Administration’s proposed deep budget cuts for
federal HIV services could stop recent progress in the fight and
lead to a resurgence in HIV.
Final points
• Keep your messaging “simple”
• Always bridge back to what you know
• Repeat your key messages
For more information on Action Day, or if
you have questions after the webinar,
please email snelson@nmac.org