political advocacy
TRANSCRIPT
![Page 1: Political Advocacy](https://reader036.vdocuments.mx/reader036/viewer/2022091122/589aa4cc1a28abfc1a8b6007/html5/thumbnails/1.jpg)
How to Approach Political Committees and Communicate With Them Effectively - a
Northern Ireland Perspective
Gerardine Blee
![Page 2: Political Advocacy](https://reader036.vdocuments.mx/reader036/viewer/2022091122/589aa4cc1a28abfc1a8b6007/html5/thumbnails/2.jpg)
Background• Bsc Econ Information and Library Studies 2004, University of Wales,
Aberystwyth
• Queen’s University Belfast 2004-2007, Library Assistant
• Citizens Advice 2007-2009, Information Officer
• March 2009 – May 2015 – Employed at the Northern Ireland Assembly as Research Librarian and then Outreach Officer
• June 2015 – CILIP Development Officer, Northern Ireland and Wales
![Page 3: Political Advocacy](https://reader036.vdocuments.mx/reader036/viewer/2022091122/589aa4cc1a28abfc1a8b6007/html5/thumbnails/3.jpg)
What is a Committee?• Three types of Committee
– Mandatory– Subject– Private Bill Committees
• Most committees currently have between seven and nine members.
• Members are selected with regard to the balance of political parties in the Parliament
![Page 4: Political Advocacy](https://reader036.vdocuments.mx/reader036/viewer/2022091122/589aa4cc1a28abfc1a8b6007/html5/thumbnails/4.jpg)
Role of Committees
“The general function of a committee is to consider matters within its remit – competent matters – and report on them to the Parliament”.
Standing Orders of the Scottish Parliament; Rule 6.2 Functions of all Committees
![Page 5: Political Advocacy](https://reader036.vdocuments.mx/reader036/viewer/2022091122/589aa4cc1a28abfc1a8b6007/html5/thumbnails/5.jpg)
Role of CommitteesStanding Orders of the Scottish Parliament Rule 6.2 sets out in more detail what this can involve. It includes:
• conducting inquiries;• scrutinising the policy and administration of the Scottish Government;• scrutinising Bills, statutory instruments, proposals for European
Communities legislation or other proposals to change the law;• initiating a Committee Bill or considering the need for reform of the law;• considering the financial proposals and financial administration of the
Scottish Government.
![Page 6: Political Advocacy](https://reader036.vdocuments.mx/reader036/viewer/2022091122/589aa4cc1a28abfc1a8b6007/html5/thumbnails/6.jpg)
Communicating with Committees• Look at Forward Work Programme/End of Session reports on website and
see if your issue fits in with forthcoming briefings.
• View Committee meetings
• Read Committee/departmental publications
• Write to the Committee with your specific policy issue.
![Page 7: Political Advocacy](https://reader036.vdocuments.mx/reader036/viewer/2022091122/589aa4cc1a28abfc1a8b6007/html5/thumbnails/7.jpg)
Communicating with Committees• Express interest and/or attend stakeholder events
• Write to the Convener/Chair or Committee Clerk
• Speak to your local MSPs – they will generally have party colleagues on the Committee and can liaise with them on your behalf
![Page 8: Political Advocacy](https://reader036.vdocuments.mx/reader036/viewer/2022091122/589aa4cc1a28abfc1a8b6007/html5/thumbnails/8.jpg)
Committee Inquiries• Committee agrees an issue for inquiry and the Clerk draw up terms of
reference to be agreed by the Committee
• Committee issues a call for evidence
• On receiving the written submissions, the Clerk will summarise and present recommendations to the Committee on who to call for oral evidence.
• The Clerk will issue formal invitations to witnesses. A wide range of views will be sought.
![Page 9: Political Advocacy](https://reader036.vdocuments.mx/reader036/viewer/2022091122/589aa4cc1a28abfc1a8b6007/html5/thumbnails/9.jpg)
What do Committees do?• Gather Evidence - Committees can take evidence by email or letter, or they
can invite witnesses to give evidence in person
• Petitions - Petitions can be submitted by individuals and groups who want to raise an issue.
• Inquiries - An inquiry is an important means of holding the Scottish Government to account by scrutinising, in detail, its policy and administration.
![Page 10: Political Advocacy](https://reader036.vdocuments.mx/reader036/viewer/2022091122/589aa4cc1a28abfc1a8b6007/html5/thumbnails/10.jpg)
Communicating effectively• Be Strategic
• Stick to the point
• Use reason and logic
• Use direct and simple language
![Page 11: Political Advocacy](https://reader036.vdocuments.mx/reader036/viewer/2022091122/589aa4cc1a28abfc1a8b6007/html5/thumbnails/11.jpg)
Responding to call for evidence• Be concise and straightforward
• Be correct and complete
• Make it clear what you support and what you don’t
• Get it in on time!