Lobbyist

Your Steps as a Lobbyist

Your mission: Persuade Representatives and Senators to pass or defeat legislation that serves your client's interests.

Lobbyists use their power and influence to mold and guide individual bills. A lobbyist's job is to ensure that a bill gets passed or defeated depending on their clients' interests. You'll do this by providing information, testimony, and research materials that will influence legislators to support your position. You should also work with other members of your coalition as they will often have similar interest. Remember, you are the "lifeline" for Senators and Representatives as they debate legislation in committees and on the House/Senate floors. The information you give them may help them decide their vote.

Along the way you will also have the chance to become a better speaker, networker, organizer, listener and work with the Legislative and Executive branches of government. And as an added benefit, you may even find out a little more about what is going on in the world around you! What more could you ask for?

What is a Lobbyist?

Lobbyists use their power and influence to mold and guide individual bills. A lobbyist's job is to ensure that a bill gets passed or defeated depending on their clients' interests. You'll do this by providing information, testimony, and research materials that will influence legislators to support your position. You should also work with other members of your coalition as they will often have similar interest. Remember, you are the "lifeline" for Senators and Representatives as they debate legislation in committees and on the House/Senate floors. The information you give them may help them decide their vote.

Youth lobbyists at Youth in Government have the unique opportunity to experience the legislative and administrative processes in the independent roles played every day by professional lobbyists. YOUTH LOBBYISTS CHOOSE ONE ORGANIZATION TO REPRESENT AND LOBBY FOR, AND TEAM UP WITH A COALITION OF OTHER YOUTH LOBBYIST TO WORK WITH AT YIG. Once organizations have been chosen, you will receive an organizational backgrounder (or do your own research) and write a Lobbyist Agenda detailing your client's top legislative priorities. This is due by the deadline posted in the calendar.

After researching your organization, you should contact the organization to ask for promotional products to be used at the conference (such as buttons, pins, t-shirts, pens, magnets, etc.). Remember to be kind and respectful, and don't worry if they don't get back to you right away; they're probably busy and should reply within 3 days.

Types of lobbyists

Lobbyists come in various shapes and sizes, representing groups large and small, powerful and weak, rich and poor. They can be broken down into several categories. While you may not get this specific at Youth in Government, it's important for you to understand the different types of Lobbyists.

Ways to lobby

Selecting Your Clients

ALL YOUTH LOBBYISTS MUST CHOOSE ONE ORGANIZATION TO REPRESENT FROM THE LIST BELOW. The most important part of selecting your clients is that you choose topics that are meaningful to you. The strength of commitment you feel toward your issues and organizations will undoubtedly influence your overall experience at Youth in Government. Whether your interests lie in the environment, business, education, or social programs, your issue should be about something that you believe in.

Potential lobbyist clients

As you are choosing the "client" you will lobby for, to ensure you have bills to lobby for at YIG, keep in mind that you need to choose organizations to represent around the following topic areas:

• Economic
• Education
• Environment
• Government Operations
• Social Services
• Transportation

Organizations by coalition

Pick a coalition, read the issues each organization works on, and tap one to mark it as your first choice. Your choice saves on this device.

Researching Your Client

You will receive an organizational backgrounder on your client. This backgrounder gives some basic information as the mission, vision and types of issues your client represents. You need to do additional research on your client and issues they represent. Some suggestions to do this:

• Contact your organization to learn more about it. Talk with your Program Specialists on how to do this.
• Read the organization's website.
• Search for general research on the industry the client represents.
• Look at the information on the Secretary of State's website for your organization.
• Use other media sources like magazines, newspapers, etc.

Your goal through this process is to gain in-depth information on what issues your client represents, and to narrow that down to write Lobbyist Agenda.

Writing Your Lobbyist Agenda

Lobbyist Agendas are a one- to two-page document outlining your organization's stance on a particular issue that matters to your organization. A Lobbyist Agenda serves as a statement of what your organization represents. (See the sample and template below.)

Submitting your lobbyist agenda

It is recommended that you prepare a draft of your Lobbyist Agenda in order to make it easier to get feedback from peers and leaders. Compose your Lobbyist Agenda in your word processing program of choice, referencing the template below. Once you have completed your first draft, pass it along to some peers, your Delegation Director, and/or your advisors. Ask them to edit it and give you feedback. The more people who can read your Lobbyist Agenda and give you suggestions, the clearer it will be for Youth in Government!

After getting feedback on a draft Lobbyist Agenda, you should write your final draft and submit it on Airtable. You have been assigned a template on Airtable. The template will have a variety of text boxes. Copy the content, section-by-section, from your text document and paste it into each corresponding text box.

Airtable has the capabilities for back-and-forth editing. It is possible for a Lobbyist Agenda to be reviewed by your Delegation Director and you may be given additional instructions/conditions to fulfill before the Lobbyist Agenda can be submitted to the State Office for distribution to the Lobbyist Director and Team Leads.

Please be prompt in completing your Lobbyist Agenda so you and the entire Lobbyist team can be well-prepared for Youth in Government. Plan ahead in case of technical difficulties.

It is strongly encouraged that you bring a printed and digital version of your Lobbyist Agenda with you to Youth in Government, just in case something goes wrong.

Lobbyist agenda template

At the Conference

Well, here it is at last. The big finale. The main event. What you've been waiting for this whole time. The Youth in Government conference. Let's talk about what to expect as a Lobbyist at this magnificent event.

At Youth in Government, Lobbyists will be busy working with each other to support or oppose legislation, meeting individually with Youth Legislators trying to sway their positions, organizing demonstrations and rallies, and testifying to committees. A good Lobbyist will never stop trying to assure the bills that they favor are passed or bills that they oppose fail. Often, Lobbyists band together to help each other by lobbying for certain issues.

Tracking bills

As a Lobbyist, you need to be extremely self-motivated and able to figure out where you should be at what times during Youth in Government. Each Lobbyists' schedule will look different based on where his/her bills are at currently. It will be your responsibility to keep track of the bills that your organization supports and opposes. You will need to go through the bill book at the beginning of the session, identify such legislation, and keep track of it.

Committees

One of your first challenges will be to get your bills through committee. These committees are on subjects like "Education" or "Transportation". Each committee has a chair and vice-chair that run the show. It's the committee's job to look at all the bills that fall under their subject, debate them, and decide which ones will Pass to be discussed on the House or Senate floor, and which ones will Fail and go to the great hopper in the sky.

Each legislator will have a chance to present his or her bill and the committee will debate it for a bit. They will be looking to pass good bills that are well thought out and have the potential for good debate. Your job will be to attend all committee hearings where there are bills being considered that your clients care about. It is your job to provide testimony and give information as requested.

Testimony (giving speeches in committee)

Every good speech starts with preparation. You'll need to write convincing testimony in order to sway legislature's opinion. Use the following sources to write your speech:

• The Lobbyist Agenda you created
• Your client organization backgrounder
• Any other research you've done on this bill, the industry, etc.

Use many types of information in your testimony

• Factual knowledge: Information that is verifiable and agreed upon by almost everyone. Be ready to provide references as needed.
• Statistical inferences: Interpretation and examples of an accumulation of facts.
• Informed opinion: Opinion developed through research and/or expertise of the claim.
• Personal testimony: Personal experience related by a knowledgeable party.

Writing your testimony: think about

• Who is your audience?
• What do they believe? Where do they stand on the issue? How are their interests involved?
• What evidence is likely to be effective with them?

Quality, not quantity

Be concise. You have five minutes for your presentation, but you don't have to use it all. Be wise and don't confuse the issue with too much information. Select the best stuff and hold back-up information in case you need it during question and answer time.

Answering questions

After delivering your speech, the chair will open the committee up to questions. Committee members may ask questions but if you've done your homework you should handle it no problem. THINK ABOUT IT BEFORE! Use your delegation members or fellow lobbyists to practice. Before you get put on the spot in a committee hearing, do your homework and find the answers to any questions that you were asked in practice debate.

Public speaking

Yes, it is a fear of most people but it's also a really important skill. Practice, practice, practice! Do not fidget with your hair, clothes or papers. Speak clearly and loudly enough for the committee to hear you.

A how-to guide

In order to testify to the committee, you'll need to be present when testimony is asked for. Use the following language when testifying:

• Chair and members of the committee
• My name is:
• I represent:
• I would like to testify for/in opposition to bill number:
• I have a handout/flyer/factsheet to distribute (if you have any)
• My organization supports (or opposes) this bill for the following reasons:
  • 1.
  • 2.
  • 3.
• Give legislators an example / story of what might happen if this bill passes or fails.
• Repeat to the committee whether you want them to vote Yes or No on the bill
• Thank you for your time!

Other helpful hints

• Talk, chat, converse, and communicate: Think of it as a conversation.
• Be yourself: speak naturally and with good preparation
• Smile when appropriate and genuine
• Speak in a comfortable strong voice
• Pause and take a breath: Don't speak without thinking. The pause gives you a chance to think clearly so that what you say will be the best message you can deliver at that moment.
• Think silently: Don't use uh...ah...um...
• Be positive & honest
• Talk with pride: You should be proud to represent your client and that should come through in your tone, words, and body language.
• Keep eye contact
• Organize your material: Prepare! Outline, notes, manuscript.
• Practice aloud: Try giving your testimony to others. Consider creating visual aids (handouts or palm cards) to help present any points that may be complex or confusing rather than trying to explain verbally.
• Be concise and clear, using simple language & short sentences

Speaking with legislators individually

Friday, Saturday, and Sunday of the conference you will be working individually with legislators to convince them of your position. Here are some helpful tips to dealing with people individually:

• Before contacting a legislator, be sure you know your stuff! By now you should be able to talk about your clients and bills in your sleep! Treat this as your ONLY opportunity to gain this legislator's support.
• Your time with them is limited, so use your time wisely. Get right to the point! Legislators will not want to hear long speeches; they can go back into the chamber if they want to hear that. Prepare your information in a short outline format so you can quickly review your main points. Stick to the issues you came to discuss, don't bunny-trail off into other subjects.
• Legislators are entitled to have a different opinion than you; don't become frustrated, angry, or take it personally. Sometimes you may need to "agree to disagree" and leave it at that.
• Don't be afraid to admit that a problem exists. Rather than tear apart a bill and point out what is wrong with it, spend time discussing what the right approach to that issue might be. You can propose amendments to the legislator at this time but be sure you have a well-organized idea of what should be changed in their bill. This would be a good time to leave a position paper with a legislator.
• Let a legislator tell their entire position. In other words, DON'T INTERRUPT THEM! Remember, you may not have all the facts on the issue or bill.
• Be sure to thank legislators for their time.
• Take notes on their comments including any suggestions they may have. Give answers if you have them; if you don't have the answer, offer to get them. Understanding their view of the facts and where they come from will help you develop counter arguments.
• Be willing to compromise.

The floor

Once committees are finished, the legislature will move onto the floor of the House or Senate. The rest of the weekend will be spent debating the bills that passed through committee. Your job is to locate the bills you are tracking on the docket and use your power and influence to pass or fail legislation. Depending on where the bills are placed on the docket, you may have time to develop a lobbying plan, or you may have to work very fast to rally the troops!

The Governor's office

If the bill you are lobbying for passes the House and Senate, it's headed straight to the top: the Governor's desk! This is your LAST opportunity to persuade the Governor why the bill is a good idea. Remember that you are still lobbying on behalf of your client.

Committee Script

Here's an example of what a committee meeting will look like: Minnesota YMCA Youth in Government Legislative Committee Procedures.

• 1 · Call to order (Committee Chair)
  "THE COMMITTEE WILL NOW COME TO ORDER."
• 2 · Introductions (Committee Chair)
  Introduces self, Vice Chair, Clerk, Advisors, resource people, etc.
• 3 · Chair requests that the Clerk take roll (Chair & Clerk)
  Clerk must take roll each day to record those members present. A motion to suspend with the roll call is not in order. "THE CLERK WILL TAKE THE ROLL."
• 4 · Chair explains committee procedure and posts the bill priority list/schedule and time that each bill will be heard (Committee Chair)
  To inform authors of schedule; review the rules and the order of business.
• 5 · Practice bill is presented (Committee Chair & Assistants)
  A bill not in that committee is presented and used as a warm-up bill.
• 6 · Regular order of business
• 7 · Consideration of bills as prioritized (Committee Chair/Committee Clerk)
  Chair announces each as it comes up and recognizes the author for a short presentation of two minutes. "THE NEXT BILL UNDER CONSIDERATION IS __________ HOUSE/ ____________ SENATE FILE #________. IS THE AUTHOR PRESENT?"
• 7 · Testimony (Lobbyists, Cabinet, the General Public)
  After the author has made their presentation, the Chair will ask if anyone present would like to testify on the bill. This may include lobbyists, cabinet officials, or the public. Only members of the committee may ask questions. Questions may be asked of any person testifying before the committee, either during or after their presentation.
• 8 · Debate and discussion (Committee Members)
  After the testimony has been taken, the floor is open to the committee to debate and discuss the bill. Questions may be asked of those who testified.
• 9 · Motion to pass bill (Committee Members)
  When the allocated time has elapsed, any member of the committee may move that the bill be recommended to pass. "I MOVE THAT __________ HOUSE/__________ SENATE FILE #_____ BE RECOMMENDED TO PASS (AS AMENDED)."
  If a bill is considered to be of a non-controversial nature it may be moved to pass and be placed on the Consent Calendar. "I MOVE THAT _________ HOUSE/___________ SENATE FILE #_____ BE RECOMMENDED TO PASS AND BE PLACED ON THE CONSENT CALENDAR."
• 10 · Chair handles motion (Committee Chair)
  "IT HAS BEEN MOVED THAT ___________ HOUSE/___________ SENATE FILE #________ BE RECOMMENDED TO PASS (AS AMENDED). ALL THOSE IN FAVOR PLEASE SIGNIFY BY SAYING 'AYE'. THOSE OPPOSED SIGNIFY BY SAYING 'NO'. THE MOTION PREVAILS (DOES NOT PREVAIL)." A hand vote shall be taken on all votes in committee for final passage.
• 11 · Bill forwarded to Secretary of State (Clerk & Chair)
  Bill should be grouped by House & Senate and sent to the Secretary of State's office with the proper transmittal sheet attached.
• 12 · Committee reports forwarded to Secretary of State (Clerk & Chair)
  Separate Committee Reports should be prepared for the House and the Senate and must be forwarded to the Secretary of State's Office immediately when the committee has recessed for the day!

Definitions

• LOBBYIST
  A person who tries to influence legislation. They do this in many different ways you will learn during training.
• BILL
  A proposal to change the laws of Minnesota, or "draft legislation." Legislators use a special format for wording the draft so that it fits with existing laws. Bills are introduced in committees (where you as a lobbyist are able to give testimony). If a bill passes in committee, it goes to the House or Senate (whichever body the author resides in) and if it passes there, it goes to the chamber. If it passes both the House and Senate the bill goes to the Governor. If the governor signs the bill it becomes a law.
• TESTIMONY
  Your ability to speak in committees telling legislators why they should or should not vote in favor of a bill.
• COALITION
  Your group of fellow lobbyists who have similar views to you and your organization. You will work together to help get bills passed or killed in committees and in the House/Senate.
• TALKING POINT
  These are items you can provide to legislators either verbally or you can write them out. With some luck, you can get legislators to read your talking points when they are in chambers since you are unable to speak when the House and Senate are in their chambers.
• COMMITTEES
  Committees are usually grouped by topic like "education" or "transportation." In each committee you have a chair and vice-chair. Committees debate bills and decide which ones will pass to be discussed on the House or Senate floor, and which ones will fail. Each legislator will have a chance to present their bill in committee. You will attend committee hearings and provide testimony.
• AMENDMENT
  Changes to bills. Legislators can amend a bill to add additional information or delete items in order to get the bill passed. You should suggest amendments to legislators to help them pass bills.
• LOBBYIST AGENDA
  A one- to two-page document outlining your organization's stance on a particular issue that matters to your organization. This serves as a statement of what your organization represents.

Next Year

Before you pack up the bills and put the parliamentary procedure guide into storage, you should think about next year and what you might want to do.