LIFT YOUR VOICE: GETTING STARTED WITH ADVOCACY, LOBBYING, AND CIVIC - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

W A S H I N G T O N N O N P R O F I T S LIFT YOUR VOICE: GETTING STARTED WITH ADVOCACY, LOBBYING, AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT Presented by Washington Nonprofits In Partnership with Sherwood Trust WE MAKE SURE NONPROFITS HAVE WHAT THEY NEED TO SUCCEED.

W A S H I N G T O N N O N P R O F I T S ABOUT US Visit us at www.washingtonnonprofits.org to learn more and become a member. WE MAKE SURE NONPROFITS HAVE WHAT THEY NEED TO SUCCEED.

W A S H I N G T O N N O N P R O F I T S PRESENTERS Laura Pierce David Streeter Executive Director Director of Public Policy Washington Nonprofits Washington Nonprofits WE MAKE SURE NONPROFITS HAVE WHAT THEY NEED TO SUCCEED.

W A S H I N G T O N N O N P R O F I T S LEARNING GOALS By the end of today, you will: • Be able to distinguish between advocacy and lobbying. • Understand the rules for nonprofit lobbying. • Know more about how public policy is crafted, and how you can have an influence. • Have new tools to advocate for your cause. WE MAKE SURE NONPROFITS HAVE WHAT THEY NEED TO SUCCEED.

W A S H I N G T O N N O N P R O F I T S WHY ADVOCATE? • To shift public opinion • To change or add a law • To change a governmental regulation or rule WE MAKE SURE NONPROFITS HAVE WHAT THEY NEED TO SUCCEED.

W A S H I N G T O N N O N P R O F I T S ADVOCACY VS. LOBBYING • Advocacy is any action that speaks in favor of, recommends, argues for a cause, supports or defends, or pleads on behalf of others. • Advocacy includes educating officials and the public about issues and your organization. • Lobbying is activity that attempts to influence specific legislation. WE MAKE SURE NONPROFITS HAVE WHAT THEY NEED TO SUCCEED.

W A S H I N G T O N N O N P R O F I T S TWO TYPES OF LOBBYING • Direct lobbying refers to a communication with a legislator or staff member that refers to specific legislation and expresses a view on that legislation. • Grassroots lobbying refers to a communication with the general public that refers to specific legislation, expresses a view on that legislation, and urges the public to contact their legislator(s). WE MAKE SURE NONPROFITS HAVE WHAT THEY NEED TO SUCCEED.

W A S H I N G T O N N O N P R O F I T S IRS RULES • Limits on lobbying by 501(c)(3) organizations are determined through either the “Insubstantial Part” Test or the 501(h) Election. • The IRS requires nonprofits to track their time and resources dedicated to lobbying. • All advocacy and lobbying must be nonpartisan. WE MAKE SURE NONPROFITS HAVE WHAT THEY NEED TO SUCCEED.

W A S H I N G T O N N O N P R O F I T S 501(H) LIMITS Annual Expenditures Overall Lobbying Limit $500,000 or Less 20% $500,000 to $1 Million $100,000 + 15% of Expenditures over $500,000 $1 Million to $1.5 Million $175,000 + 10% of Expenditures over $1 Million $1.5 Million to $17 Million $225,000 + 5% of Expenditures over $1.5 Million Over $17 Million $1 Million For all expenditure levels, the grassroots lobbying limit is 25% of the overall lobbying limit WE MAKE SURE NONPROFITS HAVE WHAT THEY NEED TO SUCCEED.

W A S H I N G T O N N O N P R O F I T S WASHINGTON STATE PUBLIC DISCLOSURE COMMISSION • If your organization lobbies at the state level, then it likely must register with the Washington State Public Disclosure Commission. • Review registration information at www.pdc.wa.gov WE MAKE SURE NONPROFITS HAVE WHAT THEY NEED TO SUCCEED.

W A S H I N G T O N N O N P R O F I T S ASK THE AUDIENCE What advocacy and lobbying activities can nonprofit organizations do? WE MAKE SURE NONPROFITS HAVE WHAT THEY NEED TO SUCCEED.

W A S H I N G T O N N O N P R O F I T S UNLIMITED NON-LOBBYING ACTIVITIES Unlimited Non-Lobbying Activities • Educating officials and the public about your organization and issues, without discussing policies. • Nonpartisan research and analysis. • Responses to written committee requests. • Defending your organization. • Hosting a site visit for an official. • Nonpartisan voter engagement. WE MAKE SURE NONPROFITS HAVE WHAT THEY NEED TO SUCCEED.

W A S H I N G T O N N O N P R O F I T S LOBBYING ACTIVITIES Limited and Tracked Lobbying Activities • Communicating with a public official about a specific or desired piece of legislation. • Issuing a call to action. • Gathering signatures for a ballot initiative. • Working for or against a ballot initiative. WE MAKE SURE NONPROFITS HAVE WHAT THEY NEED TO SUCCEED.

W A S H I N G T O N N O N P R O F I T S BOLDER ADVOCACY If you ever have a question about lobbying rules, please contact Bolder Advocacy. Phone: 1-866-NP-LOBBY (1-866-675-6229) Website: www.bolderadvocacy.org WE MAKE SURE NONPROFITS HAVE WHAT THEY NEED TO SUCCEED.

W A S H I N G T O N N O N P R O F I T S IDENTIFYING ISSUES AND POLICY GOALS • What are the desired policy changes that you want? • Why? • How do the desired changes fit with your mission? WE MAKE SURE NONPROFITS HAVE WHAT THEY NEED TO SUCCEED.

W A S H I N G T O N N O N P R O F I T S WHOSE ISSUE IS IT? • Federal spending and programs • Federal laws and regulations Federal • State spending and programs • State laws and regulations State • Local spending and programs • Local laws and regulations Local Not sure? Start local. WE MAKE SURE NONPROFITS HAVE WHAT THEY NEED TO SUCCEED.

W A S H I N G T O N N O N P R O F I T S ARENAS FOR INFLUENCE Level of Executive Legislative Government Branch Branch President & Congress: Federal Cabinet House & Senate State Governor & Legislature: Cabinet House & Senate Local Mayor/Executive Local Council (City/County) & Cabinet Legislative Budget Regulatory Issue? Issue? Issue? WE MAKE SURE NONPROFITS HAVE WHAT THEY NEED TO SUCCEED.

W A S H I N G T O N N O N P R O F I T S FEDERAL OFFICIALS President Vice President Donald Trump (R) Mike Pence (R) U.S. House CD 5 U.S. Senate Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R) Patty Murray (D) Maria Cantwell (D) WE MAKE SURE NONPROFITS HAVE WHAT THEY NEED TO SUCCEED.

W A S H I N G T O N N O N P R O F I T S STATE OFFICIALS Governor Lieutenant Governor Jay Inslee (D) Cyrus Habib (D) Washington Senate LD 16 Washington House LD 16 Maureen Walsh (R) Terry Nealey (R) Bill Jenkin (R) WE MAKE SURE NONPROFITS HAVE WHAT THEY NEED TO SUCCEED.

W A S H I N G T O N N O N P R O F I T S LOCAL OFFICIALS Walla Walla County Council Walla Walla City Council Chair Mayor Mayor Pro Tem Jim Barbara Tom Yazmin Johnso Clark Scribner Bahena n Todd Jim Riley Jerry Myron Steve Kimball Duncan Clubb Cummins Huie Moss WE MAKE SURE NONPROFITS HAVE WHAT THEY NEED TO SUCCEED.

W A S H I N G T O N N O N P R O F I T S ROLE PLAY: ELEVATOR PITCH You see a legislator at a community picnic. You have about three minutes to speak to him or her and make an impression. Use the following outline: • Introduce yourself and your organization (one sentence) • Share one policy change you are seeking • Ask for his/her support • Thank and offer follow up if indicated WE MAKE SURE NONPROFITS HAVE WHAT THEY NEED TO SUCCEED.

W A S H I N G T O N N O N P R O F I T S ASK THE AUDIENCE How does a bill become a law? Image Credit: ABC. “S1 E24 I’m Just a Bill” http://abc.go.com/shows/schoolhouse-rock/episode-guide/season-1/24-im-just-a-bill WE MAKE SURE NONPROFITS HAVE WHAT THEY NEED TO SUCCEED.

W A S H I N G T O N N O N P R O F I T S LEGISLATIVE PROCESS 3. Full 4. Full 1. Introduction 2. Committee Debate Consideration 5. Repeat 6. Reconcile 7. Final Passage 8. Enactment Image Credit: Washington State Legislature. “How a Bill Becomes a Law” http://leg.wa.gov/CivicEd/Pages/bill2Law_elementary.aspx WE MAKE SURE NONPROFITS HAVE WHAT THEY NEED TO SUCCEED.

W A S H I N G T O N N O N P R O F I T S COMMITTEE HEARINGS • Individuals may testify for 2 minutes and submit written testimony. • Stream hearings at www.TVW.org and conduct rapid response. WE MAKE SURE NONPROFITS HAVE WHAT THEY NEED TO SUCCEED.

W A S H I N G T O N N O N P R O F I T S SESSION CALENDAR Washington’s legislature uses a strict calendar to manage the flow of bills. Key dates in the 2018 session were (2019 TBA): January 8 February 2 February 6 February 14 Legislature Last day for Last day for Last day to Convenes bills to pass bills to pass pass bills in original policy original fiscal chamber of committees committees origin February 23 February 26 March 2 March 8 Last day for Last day for Last day to Legislature bills to pass bills to pass pass bills in Adjourns opposite policy opposite fiscal opposite committees committees chamber WE MAKE SURE NONPROFITS HAVE WHAT THEY NEED TO SUCCEED.