Advocacy vs Lobbying

FACT at JFC

Staying away from advocating for policy change because of fear based on lack of understanding of the law could unnecessarily restrict your coalition's effectiveness.

Ten people who speak make more noise
than ten thousand who are silent.

- Napoleon Bonaparte

Direct Lobbying

A communication with a legislator or governmental official is considered lobbying if and only if:

  • Refers to specific legislation and;
  • Reflects a view on such legislation

Examples:

  • It is not lobbying to sit in your Senator's office and discuss a specific piece of legislation, as long as you don't advocate for a specific view on that legislation
  • It is not lobbying to sit in the same office and discuss your position on a policy issue or issues as long as the discussion is not about a specific bill

Grassroots Lobbying

  • Refers to the many types of indirect attempts to communicate with and influence legislators, such as communication aimed at legislators' constituents.

Example:

  • You cannot ask your community members to call their legislators and ask them to support or oppose a specific piece of legislation.

Activities that are not Lobbying

  • Meeting with a legislator to discuss a social problem, without mentioning a specific proposal
  • Providing a legislator with educational materials about a specific piece of legislation, without calling for specific action on the legislation
  • Responding to a request from a legislative committee for information about a specific piece of legislation
  • Tracking activities of legislators, including votes, positions taken, contributions accepted, etc.
  • Talking to the media
  • Advocating for better enforcement of existing laws
  • Conducting public education campaigns
  • Producing and disseminating research reports or studies that provide nonpartisan analysis on policy issues, including specific legislative issues
  • Advocating the enactment and enforcement of private or voluntary policies, (e.g. alcohol purchase restrictions in stadiums)
  • A newsletter to your own members providing info about a specific piece of legislation, but not a specific call to action (e.g. a request to call or write to legislators)

This information was provided by Health First Wisconsin

For More Information

Questions about what is educational advocacy vs lobbying? Contact Steve Elliot at Health First Wisconsin.

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