BUILDING AN ADVOCACY STRATEGY

PRESENTATION TO THE WASHINGTON CAMPUS

BY GREG SIMON

GSIMON@FASTERCURES.ORG202-654-7080

POP QUIZ

1. Who is most responsible for the public policy advocacy of your organization?

-- The CEO– The head of Government Relations– The employees

2. Who is the most important person to influence in Washington on matters of health policy?

- The head of the Health Appropriations Committee in the Senate and House

- The Secretary of HHS- Your state delegation- Your trade association

3. What is the most powerful tool to influence decision makers?- Political contributions- Accurate Information- Grassroots support- Long term relationship

4. Currently, Your Government Relations Operation Resembles Which Movie– Groundhog Day– Gladiator– Lord Of The Rings– Memento– Somethings Got To Give

GREG’S GUIDE TO WASHINGTON

1. WIN BATTLES NOT WARS

2. TAKE PRISONERS

3. FAILURE IS AN OPTION

4. THERE ARE NO SECRETS

5. COUNT ALLIES, NOT FRIENDS

6. TO HAVE A FRIEND, BE A FRIEND

7. REMEMBER THE ROLLING STONES RULE – YOU CAN’T ALWAYS GET WHAT YOU WANT…YOU GET WHAT YOU NEED

8. REMEMBER THE BEATLES RULE – HELP!

9. PICK YOUR MOVIE

10. IF YOU’VE GOT A TEN DOLLAR HEAD, BUY A TEN DOLLAR HELMET

GREG’S GUIDE TO WASHINGTON

• WIN BATTLES NOT WARS– THE WAR IS NEVER OVER.– EACH BATTLE AFFECTS THE NEXT– THAT IS WHY YOU:

• TAKE PRISONERS– COMPLETE VICTORY MAKES ENEMIES– YOUR ALLIES NEXT TIME MAY BE YOUR

OPPONENTS THE LAST TIME

GREG’S GUIDE TO WASHINGTON

• FAILURE IS AN OPTION– SOMETIMES IT IS BETTER TO LOSE FOR THE

RIGHT REASON THAN TO WIN FOR THE WRONG ONE

– SEE FIRST RULE RE: BATTLES NOT WARS

• THERE ARE NO SECRETS– SAY WHAT YOU MEAN AND MEAN WHAT YOU

SAY OR PAY THE PRICE

GREG’S GUIDE TO WASHINGTON

• COUNT ALLIES, NOT FRIENDS– FRIENDS WALK ON FOUR FEET– FRIENDS ARE ALLIES BECAUSE THEY AGREE

WITH YOU, NOT BECAUSE THEY ARE YOUR FRIEND

• TO HAVE A FRIEND, BE A FRIEND– FRIENDS ARE NOT ON FIRE– FRIENDS ARE SANTA. NOT THE GRINCH

GREG’S GUIDE TO WASHINGTON

• REMEMBER THE ROLLING STONES RULE– DO YOU KNOW WHAT YOU NEED, NOT JUST

WHAT YOU WANT?– SEE FIRST RULE RE:BATTLES. NOT WARS

• REMEMBER THE BEATLES RULE– YOU WILL ALWAYS NEED HELP FROM

SOMEONE, ACT LIKE IT

GREG’S GUIDE TO WASHINGTON

• PICK YOUR MOVIE– GROUNDHOG DAY– GLADIATOR– LORD OF THE RINGS– MEMENTO– SOMETHINGS GOT TO GIVE

GREG’S GUIDE TO WASHINGTON

• IF YOU HAVE A TEN DOLLAR HEAD, BUY A TEN DOLLAR HELMET– MAKE YOUR GOVERNMENT RELATIONS EFFORT

MATCH THE IMPORTANCE OF YOUR ISSUE– KNOW WHEN AND WHERE TO SPEND YOUR

MONEY, YOUR POLITICAL CAPITAL AND YOUR GOODWILL

– SEE FIRST RULE RE: BATTLES. NOT WARS.