Kris Lev-Twombly's presentation for "Trees in All Policies" workshop for California ReLeaf Network members

1. www.calnonprofits.org
Achieving and Measuring Success in
Legislative Advocacy

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Five Main Points
• Legislative advocacy is important to our work.

3. www.calnonprofits.org
Five Main Points
• Legislative advocacy is important to our work.
• Service organizations can advocate and can make a
HUGE difference.

4. www.calnonprofits.org
Five Main Points
• Legislative advocacy is important to our work.
• Service organizations can advocate and can make a
HUGE difference.
• Legislative advocacy is multi-layered, and there is
something for everyone.

5. www.calnonprofits.org
Five Main Points
• Legislative advocacy is important to our work.
• Service organizations can advocate and can make a
HUGE difference.
• Legislative advocacy is multi-layered, and there is
something for everyone.
• Legislative advocacy is both simple and complex. There
are resources and tools to help simplify what is complex.

6. www.calnonprofits.org
Five Main Points
• Legislative advocacy is important to our work.
• Service organizations can advocate and can make a
HUGE difference.
• Legislative advocacy is multi-layered, and there is
something for everyone.
• Legislative advocacy is both simple and complex. There
are resources and tools to help simplify what is complex.
• Winning can take awhile. You can track, measure and
convey incremental success through a variety of
indicators.

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Advocacy is important to our work.
State policy shapes, supports, impedes and
generally affects every aspect of the work of
nonprofits– particularly service nonprofits.

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Service organizations can make a HUGE difference in
advocacy
Advocacy isn’t just for advocacy organizations.
In fact, advocacy organizations need service
organizations to round out effective advocacy.
Coalitions built from both advocacy and service
organizations are the most effective.

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Something for Everyone
• Letters/emails/calls to
district Assembly
Members, Senators
• Sign on to coalition
position letters
• Submit position letters to
committees, etc.
• Voice support in hearings
• Testify in hearings
• Meet with legislators and
their staff in districts.
• Meet with legislators and
staff at the Capitol
• Sponsor legislation
• Conduct research and/or
supply data to support
advocacy
• Attend “lobby days”

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It’s simple…
1st House 2nd House
Policy Committee Policy Committee
Fiscal Committee Fiscal Committee
Floor Vote Floor Vote


LAW
BILL

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…yet complex!

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Tools and resources to simplify
leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
Here you’ll find:
Bill information
Hearing dates
Bill votes
California Law

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Tools and resources to simplify
cal-access.sos.ca.gov/lobbying/

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Tools and resources to simplify
senate.ca.gov assembly.ca.gov

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General tips to simplify
• Work in policy coalitions
• Develop relationships with your legislators
and their staff
• Engage your board in advocacy
• Contract with a policy consultant
• Identify your best roles and grow from
there

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Elements of successful advocacy campaigns
• Research/data/expertise- A strong case
• Knowledge of the legislative process
• Understanding of how to access and
influence policymakers
• Ability to influence other advocates and
media, and demonstrate public support
• Targeted approach to getting votes
• Diligence
• Tenacity

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It takes awhile.
Indicators of incremental success
PRIMARY
• Policy win (bill becomes law; defeat of bad bill)
• Changes in progress of legislation
• Shifts in trends of voting by legislators on specific issues
• Changes in communications by legislators and the
Governor about specific issues

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It takes awhile.
Indicators of incremental success
SECONDARY
•Growth and increased diversity of coalition
•Incorporation of “lessons learned” in strategy
•Increased favorable media coverage
•Increased grassroots engagement

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It takes awhile.
ACTIVITIES PRIMARY SUCCESS SECONDARY SUCCESS LESSONS
YEAR 1: Sponsored legislation;
conducted research; testified at
hearings
Bill passed policy and fiscal
committees but died on floor of
first house (past legislation died
in first committee)
Established ad hoc coalition Did not get support of enough
legislators. Need more
constituents and media to
influence more legislators.
YEAR 2: Sponsored legislation;
conducted research; testified at
hearings; shopped 4 op eds;
hosted lobby day; built list
serve; did action alerts
Bill passed first house; died on
floor of second house; 10
legislators signed on as co-
authors; Latino Caucus endorse
bill
Coalition grew to include 50
service organizations and 7
advocacy orgs; 2 op eds were
placed; received 20 media hits;
engaged over 200 orgs and
individuals in advocacy
Failed to get support of full Tri-
Caucus to offset loss of
moderate votes. League of
Cities and CSAC still opposed
the bill.
YEAR 3: Same as above;
Targeted multi-language media;
amended bill; hosted Leg
briefing
Bill passed and signed.
VICTORY!
Coalition grew to 65/12 and
expanded in diversity and
geography; 4 op eds; 27 media
hits; 1,500 letters;
Converted opposition to
supporters; generated enough
Caucus support to offset
moderate votes

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QUESTIONS, COMMENTS, SUGGESTIONS?
Kris Lev-Twombly, director of public policy
krisl@calnonprofits.org
916.207.2037
http://www.calnonprofits.org