In January each year, the new session of Congress opens. The 20th Amendment provides that The Congress shall assemble at least once in every year, and such meeting shall begin at noon on the 3d day of January, unless they shall by law appoint a different day. photo credit: gregor_y In 2011, the 112th Congress … Read more
Lobbyists should be familiar with the code of ethics adopted by the American League of Lobbyists (ALL), which provides basic guidelines and standards for the conduct of lobbyists. photo credit: Ryan Somma Honesty and Integrity Lobbyists should always be truthful in their communications with public officials and with all other interested parties. Compliance with Laws, … Read more
In preparing to work with members of Congress, it is important to understand the differences between the House and the Senate. The more you understand about each chamber of Congress, the better prepared you will be to gain support for your issue. photo credit: Ewan-M At 435 members, the House is the larger chamber. The … Read more
Because the political landscape and environment can have a significant impact on the outcome of your issue in Congress, conducting a legislative forecast of the political environment is essential for lobbyists. In a positive environment you can take advantage of having a hook, but in a negative climate the associated disadvantages can hinder your prospects. … Read more
As a lobbyist or advocate you likely spend a good portion of your time visiting calling upon Capitol Hill. The tips below will help ensure that you achieve the best outcomes and avoid slipping into bad habits. photo credit: Steven Verlander Photography First, make an effort to keep current and educated regarding the position of … Read more
When setting up a grassroots organization, you can organize the network in one of three different ways. photo credit: ricketyus With and organized formal membership, those who join are formal members who are either current or potential grassroots activists. They may be organized into local or state chapters. Labor unions and established trade associations are … Read more
Before you can effectively promote and defend your issue you must thoroughly understand it. Researching a public policy issue is imperative if you expect to be able to promote it. When you have researched your issue you will be able to withstand even the toughest of questioning from opposing viewpoints. photo credit: Gregs Landscaping Quality … 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
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