MAINE ASSOCIATION OF NONPROFITS
Michael V. Saxl Principal Maine Street Solutions Counsel, Verrill & Dana, LLP 12/31/2008
Timing
Is Everything!
12/31/2008
WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO DO TODAY?
Responsibilities:
Employee
relations
retention, layoffs
recruiting,
Community
relations programs
Diversity/inclusion
Crisis
management
12/31/2008
How Do You Convince State Lawmakers?
You need a champion to lead your charge.
•You need a coalition.
•Refine your message. •Develop grassroots and grasstops support.
•You need to leverage the media.
•You need to be
there.
12/31/2008
Find Someone in Leadership
•More is better
•Someone in the backroom.
•Find ways to help your champion •Campaign help. •Positive press. •Cultivate future champions.
12/31/2008
Building a Coalition
•More voices speak louder.
•A united front reduces opportunities to fail.
•The Maine Cultural Affairs Council
•Creature of the Maine Legislature. •Broad-based membership •Evolved into state funding advocacy.
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Grassroots and Grasstops.
•Grassroots is about the people. •Your board. •Your clients. •Your donors. •Your statewide partners and their boards. •Develop email and mailing lists. Continually refine and review them. Start early! •Develop core group of supporters who are key policy influencers. The “movers and shakers.”
12/31/2008
Most Importantly . . .
Being There
•Ninety percent of life is showing up. •Knowing WHEN to show up is half the battle. •An inside presence within your statehouse can help.
12/31/2008
MEDIA
The media looks for good human interest stories. You can provide them. •Press releases or meetings when newsworthy events happen (e.g. new grant; new program; national recognition). •Cultivate good relations with the appropriate reporters. •Periodic editorial board visits. •Circulate clippings of good press to legislators, key influencers.
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How Do You Say It?
• • • •
Meetings – Maine Rx Paid Media – Clinton Press Releases Non-Conventional Demonstrations
•
Walk A Mile
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How you going to get it done?
•Many competing priorities.
•Most states facing huge budget gaps. Unlikely to change any time soon.
•Process is time-consuming, ever-changing, frustrating, and offers no guarantee of success. •Don’t give up!
12/31/2008
What are your barriers?
Money: There just isn’t enough.
•Private dollars harder to come by. Corporate donors bottom line driven, or get acquired. Individual donors struggle in tight economy. •Reductions in federal funding place more burdens on the state and local level.
•Local needs aren’t going away.
•Insurance and benefit costs continue to escalate.
12/31/2008
When to Hire a Lobbyist or DIY
• • • •
Are you able to put the time in “on the 3rd floor”? Do you and your organization have the expertise and connections to be effective? Best scenario – DO BOTH Who Do You Hire?
• • • •
How helpful are their “other clients” to you? Personal comfort level Law degree or not? Opportunity for integrated needs
12/31/2008
Should you hire a lobbyist?
•
Areas where a lobbyist can help:
• • • •
Staying on top of changing schedules. Targeting appropriate legislators and influencers. Assisting with message development. Help with champion cultivation.
•
Downside: Cost and public perception.
•
•
Solution: find a friend; offer “white hat” exposure. “Not paid for with state funds.”
12/31/2008
Ethics and Public Affairs
•
Reporting requirements for registered lobbyists
• •
Keeping track of time Lobby time vs. other
•
Contributions to legislators – during session vs. non-session
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DO IT RIGHT!
• • •
Be precise Stick to your plan Cover all the bases
12/31/2008