Top tips for lobbying your council

Lobbying lessons from conference
30 September 2009

We ran two great sessions on lobbying at Friends of the Earth's 2009 Conference.

From those sessions we've produced:

Before, during, and after
Before a lobbying meeting
Research:
  • Find out council's current performance
    Use the councilometer
  • Which officer is responsible for CO2?
    Try the council's website, or your dossier
  • What the NI186 target?
    Use your dossier, or ask your RCC
...Politics
  • What's the political control and balance?
    Do you need cross party support?
  • What's the influence of specific individuals?
    On party or council policy
  • Know your councillor
    What committees are they on and what interests do they have?
Action!
  • Get some postcards signed!
    Make sure you've got public support first
  • Plan your questions and what you're going to say
    What are your key messages and demands?
During the lobbying meeting
  • Introduce yourself
  • Keep notes of what was discussed and agreed
  • Go with a colleague to take notes
  • Listen
  • Stick to your objectives and pursue agreement on these
  • Ask about the potential of a joint press statement
  • Ask for a quote or photo
  • Ask for their advice on how to achieve your objectives
  • Be polite and nice!
  • Be careful not to outnumber councillors.
After the meeting
  • Confirm what's been agreed in writing
    And don't forget to and thank them for meeting you
  • Follow up on any actions
    Both yours and theirs
  • Issue a press release
    With their agreement and if it's the right time.
  • Report back
    To your group and GSHQ
  • Review your strategy
    And update if needed.
  • Update your website
    Don't forget to flag the story as Get Serious
  • Be cautious if you announce party support
    You don't want to look partisan

Your top do's and don't for lobbying

Do:
  • Be aware of time constraints
  • Get them when they're new!
  • Go with representatives from the right ward/constituency
  • Be prepared to "develop a relationship"
  • Find common ground
  • Make councillors commit in public
  • Get enough time
  • Prepare
  • Meet the right person
  • Make alliances
  • Find an easy way in
  • Stick to objectives
  • Politely listen
  • Make use of informal opportunities
  • Be clear what you want from the meeting
  • Remember you have a right to be there
  • Understand your target
  • If they're antagonistic, find common ground and start with small asks
  • Keep focused
  • Use money-saving, energy efficiency arguments

And your very top 'Do's' were:

  • Be clear why you're going to see that particular councillor
    Are you a constituent, do you have postcards from people in their ward?
  • Consider flattery - we're all human
    Don't be afraid to "lay it on thick"
  • Keep the focus
    Gently come back to your main ask

Don't
  • Be diverted
  • Go unprepared
  • Be afraid to ask favours from a friend
  • Rely on one email or letter to follow up
  • Appear too aligned with Greens or other party
  • Completely outnumber someone
  • Be disheartened if someone is totally against - it's your right to be there
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