Don’t tell any of my lobbyist friends I said this, but more often than not a volunteer advocate holds greater sway with elected officials than a paid lobbyist.
Constituencies are inherently important to politicians. Losing touch with those they represent is usually the short road to losing the next election. This pressure to connect can quickly forge a bond between elected officials and those constituents who choose to show up and participate in the process. The volunteer advocates who do so can often enjoy an outsized level of influence.
Successful advocacy organizations know this and place their volunteer advocates in positions to be present in front of elected officials. They remove the focus from their paid staff and shift it toward those they serve.
But don’t worry, the pressure isn’t as severe as you may think – you don’t have to become the subject matter expert on every aspect of a piece of legislation. In your role as an advocate you have two main duties: establish trust and tell your story.
Trust building takes a long time. It takes participating in the full spectrum of advocacy: educational events, campaign support, volunteering, etc. But telling your story is the superpower you can tap into right away to convey your issue, reinforce the organization’s messaging, and influence decision makers.
In the course of an advocacy meeting, at least one volunteer advocate should be sharing a quick story. By that I mean a narrative that shares a current problem relevant to the elected official’s work, its impact on the volunteer, and what benefits could develop if a change occurred. The more tightly you can convey those points, the more effective your meetings will become. Don’t worry, there’s a formula you can follow:
Act 1: Tell Where You’ve Been
It’s simple – start with the way things were. This is your “once upon a time moment” where you can relay the conditions of your life, business, neighborhood, etc. You start with the status quo and share it in simple language, with an aim to connect it to the listener’s own life experiences. Connect with them as parents, business owners, public school students – whatever makes your status quo relatable to them will make the change in conditions that much more personal for them.
Act 2: Explain What’s Changed
For whatever reason, a change in the status quo has, or will have, occurred. After all, if everything was a-okay you wouldn’t be there would you? Quickly convey the specific problem that has arisen from the change (e.g. you can’t stay in business, a medical condition arose, your children are at risk). Because you shared a relatable condition in act 1, the listener can now picture the problems you’re experiencing in their own way. It’s now relevant to them, and they can surmise how other constituents may be affected. You’ve touched on what matters.
Act 3: Share How They Can Help
But it’s not good enough to leave it at the problem. You have to propose some kind of specific action. If there’s a bill to address the issue, ask them to co-sponsor or vote for it on the floor. If you’re seeking help with the bureaucracy, ask for them to help you inquire into the matter. If you’re requesting a letter of support, provide them sample language they could adopt to stand with your cause. It’s not good enough to just present a problem, you have to provide a solution they can embrace.
You Don’t Have to be Perfect
Never let the perfect become the enemy of the good. You may be a terrible narrative storyteller – I sure am. But if you can make it relatable to them, relevant to their work, and provide a course of action you’ll be more engaged than 9 out of 10 people. Easily.
Most people don’t show up in politics. Most never participate beyond voting in elections. You, as a constituent and volunteer advocate, benefit from tremendous credibility by simply joining the conversation. You aren’t required to have all the answers. But you do have to tell your story. It makes all the difference.
Part of the Possible 