ADVOCACY

• JIM TOBIN• 9 E LONG ST.

• COLUMBUS, OH 43215• 614-224-7147

• jtobin@ohiocathconf.org• www.ohiocathconf.org

What Can I do?Legislative Advocacy

ADVOCACY PLANS

Charity Direct Social Services

Justice Social Change

Help individuals meet their present needs: - Serve in soup kitchens - Sponsor a ref ugee family - Mentor and tutor - Donate food, clothing, money

Correct long-term problems in communities: - Participate in community self-help projects - Advocate for just public policies - Develop local community enterprises

ADVOCACY PLANS

Families/Individuals

Community & Faith Institutions

Private Sector

Government

The Big Picture

• Why advocacy from the perspective of faith-based social service providers is important– “Real world” experience of clients

and agencies– Moral voice on behalf of the poor

and vulnerable; – Respected amongst policymakers

Why Advocacy Is Important

• Advocacy is your right– The first amendment guarantees

your right to connect with lawmakers

• Advocacy is our responsibility– Part of our faith/agency Mission

• Now, more than ever– Budget threats and policy changes– Contentious political environment

Why Advocacy Is Important

• Local connections with constituents make an impact on policymakers

• You have the power to impact the political process and improve policies that effect the poor and vulnerable

Making a Commitment to Advocacy

• Varying levels of advocacy– What kind of time and resources

do I need to devote to advocacy?– Activities range from making one

phone call to implementing a long-range plan

– Think about how what you are already doing is advocacy

• Even a small effort can make a big difference

Knowledge is Power

• Stay informed– Keep abreast of current legislative

action on issues important to you

• Know the players– Know who your lawmakers are and

where they stand on your issues

U.S. Senator

• Washington D.C. Office

524 Hart Senate Office BuildingWashington, D.C. 20510phone: (202) 224-3353

• Cincinnati Office36 East 7th Street Room 2615Cincinnati, OH 45202phone: (513) 684-3265

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George Voinovich (R)

U.S. Senator

• Cleveland Office

600 East Superior AveRoom 2450

Cleveland OH 44114

Phone: 216-522-7272

Fax: 216-522-2239• Washington, D.C.

455 Russell Senate Office Bldg.

Washington, DC 20510

Phone: (202) 224-2315

Fax: (202) 228-6321

Sherrod Brown (D)

U.S. House

Ohio Senate

Statehouse

Room #201, Second Floor

Columbus, Ohio 43215

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Bill Harris ( R)19th District

SENATE PRESIDENT

Ohio House

Jon Husted (R)37th District

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SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE

•Address: Riffe Center77 S. High St14th FloorColumbus, Ohio 43215-6111Telephone: 614/644-6008

LEGISLATIVE INFO

LEGISLATIVE INFORMATION

http://www.legislature.state.oh.us/search.cfm#bill_keyword

Legislative Decisions

VOTER PERCEPTIONS

INFLUENTIAL PERSONS

POLITICAL PARTY LEADERSHIP

COMPROMISE

PERSONAL PHILOSOPHY

Relationships are Key

KNOW WHO YOU NEED TO KNOW

Elected Officials

Other Faith/Social Work Leaders

Power Brokers

POWERS OF THE BROKEN

Relationships are Key

WORK ON RELATIONSHIPS

Strive for Name Recognition

Agree to Disagree and Move On

Invite to Events/Dialogues

Relationships are Key

USE YOUR INFLUENCE

Voting Constituent

Expertise on Issue

Member of Agency, Church, Civic Group, Advocacy Organization

Types of Advocacy Activities

• Letters, phone calls, emails, faxes– 5-10 Letters /Communiqués Can Be a lot

• Visits to your Legislators

• Site Visits– Invite policymakers to visit your

programs– Spread the good news: show off how

your program helps the community– Make the connection between your

program and policy decisions made in Washington

When Interacting with Policymakers

Be strategicBe informed

Use simple, effective messages

All written communication should be clear and concise

Emphasize local impacts and successes

Honor any commitment you make to them

Never miss an opportunity to thank them

Build and sustain relationships over time

Types of Advocacy Activities

• Form or participate in coalitions – there is strength in numbers

• Work with local media to highlight your programs/issues

• Other activities– Invite policymakers to receptions,

groundbreakings, program milestones

– Attend and speak at public forums held by policymakers

• This applies to federal, state and local advocacy

Hang in there

Be persistent and consistent.Your efforts matter and you can make a difference.You have the power to make change.

ADVOCACY

• JIM TOBIN• 9 E LONG ST.

• COLUMBUS, OH 43215• 614-224-7147

• jtobin@ohiocathconf.org• www.ohiocathconf.org