This document provides guidance on effective lobbying techniques, including: - Preparing by determining the key issue, finding supporting information, and identifying the appropriate government member to contact. - Communicating through letter writing, email, phone calls, and in-person meetings. Letters should be brief, personalized, and request specific action. - Meeting with government members by scheduling in advance, having a clear agenda, and following up on commitments. - Maintaining the relationship over time through follow up, invitations, and acknowledging the member's support.

1. How to Lobby
Created by Narelle Stoll
May 2013

2. Purpose of this presentation
Provide guidance on how to Lobby covering the
following topics
 Questions to ask
 Letter writing
 Meeting

3. Why Lobby
 Raise awareness
 Increase your organisations profile in the
community
 Establish a relationship with key decision
makers
Key to successful Lobbying is pre-planning

4. Preparation- Questions to Ask
 Why is the issue important to raise with the Government
Member?
Consider the following
 Own personal experience
 Articles in the Media
 Community reaction
 Community interest
 Outcomes of a survey
 General community observations
 Possible community backlash
 Potential to improve the Members standing and reputation
in the community

5. Questions (cont)
 Where can you obtain information on your issue?
 Newspapers and magazines
 Interviews
 Statistics
 Hansard reports
 Government websites
 Political party websites
 Key organisation websites

6. Questions (cont)
 Who is the most appropriate Government Member to approach?
 Is the issue local, state or national
 Government Member background and political
affiliation
 Government Member portfolio
 Government Member success and influence to date
 Government Member personal interest in topic

7. Questions (cont)
 What type of action do you want the Government
minister to take?
 Speak in Parliament or at the next Council meeting
 Discuss matter with Government Department responsible
for managing the issue
 Make a public statement
 Ask a question in Parliament or at Council about the issue
 Speak to your local community group or a public meeting
 Refer matter to a Parliamentary or Council committee

8. Questions (cont)
 What other action can to be taken?
 Other groups contacted
 Community event/survey
 Article in the paper

9. Letter Writing Format

 Your name and address in the top right hand
corner.
 Government Members address in left hand
corner
 Ensure correct titles are used (refer to
Government websites for further information)
 for Members of Parliament ;The Hon (first
name, last name),MP then position, address
 For Senators; Senator The Hon (first name,
surname) , then position, address
 Ensure correct address is used; Dear Prime
Minister, Premier, Mr, Mrs, Dr, Ms
 Include the title of the issue at top of the letter
 Keep the letter personal avoid sending a generic
letter
 Introduce yourself and include any personal
information that might assist them to recognise
you
 If you hold a position in an organisation
you are representing include these
details as well
 Keep to one issue
 Be brief and keep letter length to one
page
 State issue you would like them to
support ( keep to one sentence)
 Include a statement of why you have
sent this letter to them
 State why you would like them to
support the issue ( maximum three
points)
 State what action you would like them to
take
 Request response
 Be polite thank them for their support
 Sign your name
 Add your name and if relevant position
and name of the organisation you are
representing

10. Ref; http://www.johncobrien.com

11. Sending emails
 Include the Government Members email address in the
"To field" column rather than "Blind copy"or "Copy"
 Avoid sending bulk emails. Target only the Government
Members relevant to the issue
 Personalise the letter with Dear Minister and their address
 Include your signature and name

12. Letter to the Editor
 Select appropriate media
 Find out the appropriate contact and their details
 Find out deadlines for publications
 Include your name and contact details
 Keep letter to one page
 Establish best time to follow up Editor to ensure letter has
been published
 Avoid contacting Editors during deadline period

13. Exercise 1
 Practise writing a letter to a Politician on the following topics
 New playground for the children
 New railway station in the area
 Proposed high rise development
 High youth unemployment

14. Phone call to the Minister
 Here a few tips for making a call to your the Government
Minister
 Prepare what you want to say beforehand
 Introduce yourself when you call the Government Members Office
with your name, organisation
 State clearly what the issue is about and why you think it will be
important to them
 Ask if you can speak to the Government Member
 When you are speaking to the Government Member restate the issue
and describe what action you would like them to take
 Follow up the phone call with a letter and meeting
 Be polite on the phone
 Be brief
 Thank the minister or member of staff for their time

15. Exercise 2
 Divide into groups of three. Have one person the
Government Member, the second person the phone
caller and third person the observer. Decide on a
theme or topic. Commence the role play with the
observer making notes on how effective the phone
call was. Swap roles. Topics can include the
following.
 Building of a skate park
 Major road development
 Traffic
 Youth unemployment

16. Meeting the Minister
Prior to the meeting
• Arrange the meeting well in advance and preferably in the morning
• Ensure there are a maximum of three people in attendance with at least
one person with expertise in the area
• Inform the Minister beforehand of whom will be in attendance
• Find out who will be in attendance from the Ministers side
• Send letter stating purpose of the meeting (keep letter to one page)
• If required send supplementary material (no more than one page)
• Prepare agenda and timetable for future action and obtain agreement
with people you are bringing to the meeting
• Arrive at the meeting early
• Take business cards
• Take supporting information and references
• Take one page briefing sheet with issue, action and information
including arguments for and against

17. Meeting the Minister (cont)
During the meeting
 Dress professionally
 Introduce everyone
 Explain to the minister why you have selected them to discuss the issue with.
 Discuss who else you have contacted and their response. A minister is more likely to become
involved if not many other Ministers have been contacted.
 Be professional and polite
 Respect potential ramifications and conflicts
 Present with confidence and avoid being emotional
 Listen to the Politicians response and take notes
 Keep to the agenda and issue you came to see them about avoid being sidetracked
 Take no more than half an hour of their time
 Obtain their commitment and agreement to timetable for future action
 Be polite if they cannot commit to your proposal and thank them for their time
 Be honest in your commitment to future action and information you are presenting

18. Meeting the Minister (cont)
After the meeting
 Debrief
 Send thankyou letter with outline of
what they and you have agreed to do
as a result of the meeting
 Ensure any actions you have agreed to
you follow up in the timeframe
specified
 Follow up with the Government
Representative on any action they
agreed to take in the timeframe
specified

19. Exercise 3
Divide into groups of 4. Appoint one person as the Government
Member. Decide on a topic. The remaining three members
prepare a presentation to lobby the local member. Suggested
themes can be:
 Child support welfare
 Youth unemployment
 Playground for local children
 Environmental issues in area
 Heritage issue. Removal of buildings to make way for high
rise
 Violence against Women

20. Maintaining Relationships
Here are some suggestions for ensuring you build and maintain
relations with the Government Member
 Follow up on all agreed actions in the time specified
 Send thank you letter
 Keep the member informed of developments through newsletter and
emails
 Invite the member to speak at a community or local event
 Attend a community event that is relevant to the issue that the
Government member will be in attendance
 Be polite even if the Government member cannot assist you
 Be honest in your dealings with them. If you cannot committ to
action be upfront about it straight away.
 Acknowledge their support in letters to media and articles in
newsletter

21. References
Click on link for the following
List of Federal Politicians
List of State and Local Politicians Electronic
Frontiers Australia
Act Now
 Connecticuit Not for Profit Network

22. Videos
Watch the following videos
Message in a box
Tips for talking to legislators
How to write a press release