At our November genÂerÂal meetÂing, our guest Monette Richards, presÂiÂdent of CFI Northeast Ohio, gave us some tips and ideas on how to become citÂiÂzen lobÂbyÂists after the recent elecÂtion.
Richards explained that you realÂly only need to call the local office of your electÂed offiÂcials and make an appointÂment to speak to them. Some repÂreÂseÂnÂaÂtives hold office hours where they meet peoÂple withÂout a forÂmal appointÂment. When you go to the appointÂment have some talkÂing points to give to the offiÂcial or their staff.
The thing she stressed is to do it. Big donor monÂey gets a lot of attenÂtion and our only way to get through that noise is to perÂsonÂalÂly speak to the electÂed peoÂple or their staffs and let them know what you think.
Richards also said it is good to find estabÂlished groups that are workÂing on a issue you feel strongÂly about and join them so you aren’t reinÂventÂing the wheel.
She also sugÂgestÂed a book, The Citizen Lobbyist by Amanda Knief and Rev. Barry W. Lynn, as a good primer. And if you need to invent the wheel because there isn’t an estabÂlished group, the Skeptical Activism Campaign Manual will help start the ball rolling.
SHoWLE memÂber Peggy C. also sugÂgestÂed a webÂsite called 5 Calls.
Our next genÂerÂal meetÂing is December 8th.