Everything I Need to Know About Lobbying, I Learned from Preservation Pete, Connie Constituent & Sherry SHPO
by Jason Clement on March 10th, 2009
From left to right, Suzy Staffer, Sherry SHPO, Preservation Pete and Connie Constituent.
And Suzy Staffer and Congressman Stuffington, too.
No, I haven’t gone crazy and these aren’t my imaginary friends. They’re all characters from an advocacy 101 skit that I had the privilege of taking in yesterday as the training portion of Preservation Lobby Day 2009 kicked off in grand style. Today, I’ll be following Team Way Outside the Beltwayers as they complete an all-day, twelve-meeting marathon on what will be my first real trip to Capitol Hill. Here are just some of the notes I scribbled down as I tried to figure out what to expect:
- Wear comfy shoes, as some of the buildings on Capitol Hill are far apart and downright cavernous by design.
- Be a big time early bird. Remember that you’ll have to be screened by security in every building you enter, and those lines can be up to 20-30 minutes long sometimes. Also, build in time to get lost. The office numbers/locations are unpredictable at best, especially for first-timers.
- Because many Hill staffers are fresh out of their college poly sci classes, you might find yourself in a meeting with someone who looks like they aren’t a day over 21. It’s not a bad thing, especially if it puts you in the role of educator. Just be mentally prepared for what can be an initial curveball.
- Do your homework. Things to pay close attention to are voting records, congressional committee memberships and personal interests. If you forget or don’t have time, ask a few quick questions while all the hands are still shaking.
- Don’t expect that you’ll get a full hour. In truth, fifteen or so minutes is average (and sufficient if you play your cards right).
- For staffers, if you’re wavering between first name only and Mr. or Ms. X, just ask. It’s totally okay to do so.
- The moment the meeting starts, say this once or twice to yourself (not out loud of course): “I’m the only one who knows what I’m here to do, so I really can’t mess it up.”
- Go with the flow. Sometimes your meeting will take place in an office, but sometimes it will be randomly relocated to the hallway (for real) or the cafeteria. Just make lemonade out of it.
- Be positive, even if the news you’re conveying isn’t. Whiners never win, you know?
- Though us preservationists sure do love them, avoid acronyms like the plague. Usually, the more 101 you can keep it, the better. And remember, they want to hear how this affects folks back home, so always tie your arguments tightly around threats and opportunities in your state or district.
- Unlike some causes that get lobbied on the Hill, preservation is something you can actually experience. Get your staffer and/or Congressperson out of the office by actually inviting them to tour a historic building (or something along those lines) when they are in district, which is usually Fridays through Mondays and during recesses.
- Don’t sweat it if you don’t know the answer to a question. Just say, “You know, I’m not sure, but I will get back to you.” If anything, it’s an excuse for a quick follow-up.
- Always have a fifteen-second, no-holds-barred elevator speech ready to roll at the drop of a hat. You never know when your meeting will be cut short or who you’ll pass in the hallway at the Rayburn.
- Also, have a few rock-star facts and figures in your back pocket, especially when you’re making economic arguments.
- If you’re bringing a group to the meeting, designate a lead. This person always sits closest to the Congressperson or staffer, and they’re tasked with keeping the train on the tracks.
- Always have a stockpile of leave-behinds, but hold on to them until the very end of the meeting. The minute you hand them out, you’ll lose their attention.
- Pay close attention to the fidget factor. If they start looking restless, it’s time to bring down the landing gear and prepare the cabin for arrival.
- Even though you spend fifteen full minutes (or more if you’re lucky) making the case, end with a point-blank ask (Example: “Will you co-sponsor this legislation?”).
- Say “thank you” at least 500 times. Okay, not really, but be liberal with your graciousness. Thank them for their time, for the coffee/water (if you get it), etc.
- Like any relationship, this only works when you follow through and follow up, so do so promptly. Also, remember that you’re now this office’s tie to the preservation world, so don’t be shy about supplying critical updates after your meeting has taken place.
Quirky bullets aside, the most powerful piece of lobbying advice I heard all day was a seemingly unrehearsed remark (which I’ll paraphrase) made by one of the many speakers: Our job is to represent the fact that we are voters, and there’s nothing more powerful in Washington than an engaged constituent.
And with that being said, I’m off to Capitol Hill to meet Team Way Outside the Beltwayers for breakfast in what will be our base of operations for much of the day – the Longworth Building’s basement food court.
Stay tuned for much more from Preservation Lobby Day, and in the mean time, share your own lobbying tips of the trade by leaving a comment below.
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