Election 2010: Capitol Hill Workshop: Intensive 3-day course following the 2010 Elections photo credit: djabejas Capitol Hill Workshop: 2010 Election is of particular interest to anyone needing more background on how Capitol Hill really works and who needs early insight into the 112th Congress and the administration. You will leave this workshop with a solid … Read more
Most legislative campaigns today feature coordinated legislative efforts, and almost all lobbyists now work through legislative coalitions. The reason for this is that lobbyists recognize that there is incredible strength in numbers and that in most cases the whole is greater than the sum of the parts. photo credit: westy48 By coordinating strategies and pooling … Read more
If you want to make effective telephone calls to key members of Congress and their staff, follow these simple guidelines. First, never give a person who answers the phone the opportunity to say no to you. Before you even place the call to a legislative office, ensure you know which staff person currently is responsible … Read more
As a witness at a Congressional hearing, you may find yourself in a position in which you will encounter members of the media either before or after the hearing. The likelihood of this will depend upon the nature of the hearing topic as well as the extent of the media and public interest in the … Read more
The way in which you conduct research as part of your efforts to lobby for a particular issue can have an important effect on the outcome of that issue. Extreme care must be exercised when preparing any research that will be utilized. photo credit: AlexYo1968 First, double-check and verify everything. This includes the names of … Read more
Given the many different methods of communication that are available today and the significant increase in pending legislation in congress, it is a challenge to choose the best method for connecting with policymakers. During the last ten years, the amount of communications between constituents and Congress has increased dramatically, due primarily due to the Internet. … Read more
“The Podestas Face Tough Questions About Lobbying,” by Marc Ambinder, The Atlantic, October 1, 2010 From Lobbying and Advocacy, by Deanna Gelak: §1.1 Introduction Nearly every legislative day, thousands of lobbyists are watching, monitoring, and working to influence the outcome of legislation at the federal level. Simultaneously, lobbyists are presenting hundreds of testimonies and briefings … Read more
There are many different tools that can be used for interacting with the media and the public. One of those tools is the op-ed. An op-ed piece, when it is written well can be one of the most effective as well as persuasive tools at your disposal. Effective op-ed pieces can help influence the outcome … Read more