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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