strategies for effectively educating policy makers about clean transportation policies and programs
TRANSCRIPT
ADVOCACY 101 Strategies for Effectively Educating Policy Makers About Clean Transportation Policies and Programs
Sam Spofforth Executive Director, Clean Fuels OhioPresident, Transportation Energy PartnersPhillip Wiedmeyer Chairman, Alabama Clean Fuels Coalition Vice President, Transportation Energy Partners
Presenters
Ken Brown Government Affairs ConsultantTransportation Energy Partners
Transportation Energy Partners
Umbrella organization for the nation’s nearly 90 Clean Cities Coalitions and our stakeholders
Keep coalitions and stakeholders informed of key federal policies and programs.
Educate decision makers about importance of advancing markets for clean vehicles and fuels.
Register for the Summit, taking place at Renaissance Arlington Capital View in Arlington, Virginia online .
For more information regarding the Summit contact: Ken Brown , 202.674.7777 or [email protected] or Charles Small , 202.549.0998 or [email protected]
FeaturingKeynote Speakers
Connecticut Governor Dan Malloy(Invited)
Nancy Sutley Chair, Council on Environmental
Quality White House
Dr. Daniel SperlingDirector, Institute of
Transportation StudiesUniversity of California Davis
Learn more at www.transportationenergypartners.org
You can also follow us on Twitter: @TEPartners
Coalition Advocacy How to build your organizations presence with elected officials
Why Is Advocacy Important?
Builds Your Organization: Increased visibility, more members, more funding.
Advances your Policies: helps you educate policymakers and influence the debate.
Builds Long-term Relationships: Advocacy promotes your organization in an effective manner with key policymakers.
Keys to a Successful Strategy Relationships, Relationships,
Relationships
All Politics is Local Know What You Want and Ask for it:
Tell elected officials what you need them to work on.
Follow up and Follow Through: Provide information and maintain relationships.
Relationships, Relationships, Relationships
Relationships are the currency of policymaking in Washington D.C. and across the country.
Identify ways you can help elected officials. Be a good source of ideas & information. Provide opportunities for visibility & media
coverage. Introduce them to key constituencies and
community leaders. Build relationships with local, state, &
national offices.
Know What You Want and Ask for It
Be Clear and Concise Have a specific ask. Elected officials and
their staffs want to know specifically how they can help.
Give no more than 3 specific items you want them to work on.
Be prepared to answer their questions.
All Politics is Local
Educate officials about the value & benefits of clean transportation policies for your area. Provide facts & figures on how clean
vehicles & fuels are creating jobs and benefitting the local area.
Provide examples of local projects and programs in action.
Demonstrate broad-based and bi-partisan support for your issue.
Follow Up and Follow Through
If you don’t know, find the answer and get back to them.
Send handwritten thank you notes. Stay in Touch: send reports,
newsletters, and regular updates to staff.
Invite elected officials to local events.
Indentify opportunities for media coverage.
Political Outlook What is going on in Washington D.C. ?
Issues of Interest
Rising Gas Prices Transportation Bill Job Creation Expiration of Clean Vehicle Tax Incentives Election Year Politics
Congressional Landscape Transportation Bill : Congress needs
to pass a Federal Transportation Bill by the end of March.
Budget Debate: FY 2013 budget discussions begin this month.
Tax Reform: Will Congress extend tax incentives?
Election Year Politics: How do House/Senate Election Dynamics play into legislative activity?
TEP Clean Transportation Federal Agenda
Extend Tax Incentives for Alternative Fuels, Vehicles and Infrastructure.
Maintain Federal Funding in FY 2013 for Key Alternative Fuels Programs.
Reauthorize the federal surface transportation law.
Clean Transportation Facts
700,000 alternative energy vehicles in the U.S.
7,000 alternative refueling stations Natural Gas supports over 2.8 million
jobs Biodiesel has created 31,000 jobs
Preparing for the Summit What you need to do get ready to meet with Federal Policy Makers
How to Get a Meeting on The Hill Call the Washington D.C. Office and get
the email address and name of the Member’s scheduler.
Leave 2-3 weeks time to setup a meeting. Follow up after five business days.
If there is no response from the office, try using the local office to schedule a meeting.
If the Member of Congress is unavailable the office will connect you with the appropriate staff person.
Meeting Preparation
Prepare a “1-Pager” with background on your organization and policy you are advocating for.
Use examples of local projects in action. Visual displays are extremely helpful. Business Cards, Pen, Paper. Phones on vibrate or silent. Travel light.
Meeting Tips
Be Brief: Expect your meeting to last from 15-30 minutes. Keep your presentation short and leave plenty of time for questions.
Consider the office: Know the elected official’s committees and background and tailor your pitch.
Meeting Tips
Be Factual: Make sure you are well versed in the most up-to-date facts about your organization and pertinent issues. Don’t be afraid to bring a cheat sheet if you need to be precise.
Know the Opposition: There are Pros & Cons to every debate.
Be Respectful: Even if they disagree, you should respect their views. There will be future opportunities to work together.
Questions?
For more information regarding the Summit contact: Ken Brown , 202.674.777 or [email protected] or
Charles Small , 202.549.0998 or [email protected]
Register for the Summit, taking place at Renaissance Arlington Capital View in Arlington, Virginia online .
For more information regarding the Summit contact: Ken Brown , 202.674.7777 or [email protected] Charles Small , 202.549.0998 or [email protected]
FeaturingKeynote Speakers
Connecticut Governor Dan Malloy(Invited)
Nancy Sutley Chair, Council on Environmental
Quality White House
Dr. Daniel SperlingDirector, Institute of
Transportation StudiesUniversity of California Davis
Learn more at www.transportationenergypartners.org
You can also follow us on Twitter: @TEPartners