Opening Keynote: Surround Sound Advocacy from the Targets’ Point of View

What it is like to be on the receiving end of a Surround Sound advocacy strategy? Is it an effective way to reach lawmakers and their staff? Former Congressman Earl Pomeroy and former Chief of Staff Jen Daulby join us for a conversation on the tactics that resonated with him while on the Hill, and if a Surround Sound approach can make a difference.

Notes:

Trusted known contact ideally from the district – can’t beat it 

Technology can augment – socialize the idea (expose an idea) so they’ve heard about it. Then, come with your CTA in person. 

Repetition, repetition, repetition 

Members are thinking about a million issues/topics in one day 

Focus on measurements – what do you want to achieve? 

Consistency is crucial in Washington

Maintain and establish relationships 

“Don’t ask your neighbor for sugar before you meet your neighbor” – Jen

Start by teaching people how advocacy can be meaningful 

Prioritize ONE event over 5,000 letters  

• Plan an event with lawmakers to meet constituents and learn about your core issues. 

With a lower budget, here are some valuable tactics you can invest in: 

• District Data (offices value these) 
• District Visits 
• People getting to know their representatives (relationships)

Every office and member will have different preferred tactics. Get to know your members (and their staff) and tailor efforts with your champions. 

Teletown Halls are hard to manage and staffers have a hard time controlling the narrative 

Social media works to educate and recruit more constituents – increase followers for exposure 

Knowing your champions is critical 

Communication with members should be extremely delicate and intentional 

It’s easy to sniff a constituent mobilization that is not organized or educated 

10x more death threats to Congressional offices since January 6th (CMF data) 

• We have a responsibility to engage with our government in a nonphysical or violent way. 
• Think about how we communicate with friends and loved ones – we can disagree without being disagreeable
• The worst tactic is to get people angry (unnecessary emotional reaction or uninformed advocacy)

The coordination between federal and local advocacy is a challenge that can be a strategic play for Legislators  

Quality volume matters 

• 15 quality letters over 5,000 letters with the same message
• Be more on the nose about it 
• Data is high value (research) 
• Data-sharing builds relationships
• Data is a thousand letters and stories are a few valuable stories 

It is worth the time, money and effort to go to an in-district event or meeting

Members love talking about what they heard 

If you are not willing to put your name behind your campaign, it’s worthless (nameless, faceless coalition) 

Avoid flip-flopping into an issue

Raise your voice but don’t be impolite 

Jen’s office ran research on who their social followers are. Their goal was to help Name ID the member. 

Survey data is valuable for the member offices 

Advocacy should be approached as a menu – try different things for different members. 

Geofencing ads work when time is of the essence. 

If you have an ad budget, a better use of money would be to hire more lobbyists or consultants to get the member’s attention 

Talk about your multiple advocacy asks while keeping consistent on your #1 priority