1. YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Know This Before You Begin
The system is designed to wear you down in the hope you will give up and go away.
It won’t be easy
It won’t be fast
Think of it as a marathon, not a sprint
Be the expert – Know more than anyone else about your issue.
Who You Need to Work With
A. Council Members
B. Council Staff
1. Legislative Deputies vs Field Deputies
2. Which Deputy Staffs the Council Member for this issue?
3. Which Deputy Staffs the Council Member in Committee?
4. Which Deputy Staffs the Council Member in Council?
5. Getting staff on your side is critical. Without them you have little chance of success.
C. Department Staff
D. Other City Entities
1. Mayor’s Office
2. Chief Legislative Analyst (CLA)
3. City Administrative Officer (CAO)
4. City Attorney
5. City Controller
Resources
A. City of LA Website www.lacity.org
1. City Council Member Listings
2. City Meetings & Agendas (Council & Committees) (Subscribe)
3. Council File Management System (Subscribe)
4. Contracts Search
5. Video & Audio of Council & Committee Meetings (Live & on Demand)
6. CityFone
7. Department Listings
8. Commission Listings
How To Work The System
1. All your work must be done long before it gets to the Committee or Council for a vote
2. Look for windows of opportunity
3. Look for allies inside and outside the government
4. Working behind the scenes vs Applying public pressure
5. Enlist the Neighborhood Councils and Alliances in your cause
6. Take the high road
NEVER GIVE UP!!
Presented by: Jay Beeber – 818-205-4790 – blickman@roadrunner.com