Lobbying for Contingent Faculty Interests
How to make your points effectively.
By Nicole Byrd
Lobbying has become a dirty word thanks to well-publicized cases involving lobbyists such as Jack Abramoff. However, advocating for your positions is a positive act of civic engagement. The right to petition the government is enshrined in the Constitution, and lawmakers depend on interaction with constituents to know what the people they represent think about specific policy matters. Elected officials also benefit from the expertise of those who have spent their professional lives specializing in a given field. Communication between citizens and those who make decisions on their behalf is essential to democracy. The related pieces in this section show advocacy as it should be: a process through which dedicated people persuade elected officials with their knowledge and passion and, more specifically for AAUP members, remind the government of how higher education benefits the public as a whole. A few basic pointers are offered below to help you maximize your effectiveness when communicating with elected officials. Above all, remember that each interaction is a step toward building a lasting relationship with your representatives.
Style and Substance
When it comes to advocacy, style and substance are of nearly equal importance. This fact can be difficult for many of us in academia to absorb, but how information is conveyed to policy makers has almost as much impact as the information itself.
To make your points effectively, start by adopting the communication style of the party on the receiving end. In state capitols and on Capitol Hill, time is of the essence, and staffers bounce between widely varied topics all day, every day. To be heard, you will need to be concise and pointed in your presentation. This rule applies to all forms of communication: printed, oral, and electronic. Presenting highly detailed information in long formats is essentially putting your documents on the fast track to the recycling bin. When staffers are ready for more detailed and nuanced information, they willrequest it. Start with bullet pointsand then make yourself available as a resource in the future.
Be ever mindful of tone. For educators, it may be second nature to adopt a professorial or “lecture hall” tone. It is essential, however, to address legislators and members of their staffs as equals, no matter their age or ideology. Many constituents believe their role is to “educate” staffers and lawmakers—and they freely use that word. Such an approach comes across as condescending and is not conducive to creating a dialogue. Semantics matter. Instead of “educating,” use words that evoke a sense of teamwork, such as “partnering” or “collaborating.”
Regarding substance, the first and most obvious rule is to know your topic well. A surprising number of constituents do not adequately research an issue’s background prior to meetings. One very common mistake is not to address adequately the counterpoints to your positions. Always know what the opposing views are and have compelling reasons why your position is superior. If you do not address counterpoints directly and thoroughly, you are leaving it up to the staffer to decide which case is stronger—and much of that decision can be based on the better presentation style rather than merit. Come armed with statistics, examples, and anecdotes.
Know the power that colleges and universities have within a district. Being able to tell your representative how many jobs are created by your institution and stressing its positive impact on the local economy will make a solid impression and underscore why your best interests are the district’s best interests.
Finally, keep it polite. Remember that if you are trying to create change, your focus is not on preaching to the converted—that is, policy makers who already usually vote as you would wish. You are there to win votes and influence those who do not already agree with your positions, which can be extremely frustrating. Stay calm, never raise your voice, and avoid bringing up topics that are not directly relevant to the one at hand. Creating an impression of mutual respect leaves the door open for other votes on future issues—and there will always be future issues coming up for votes. Take the long view.
Nicole Byrd is government relations associate at the AAUP. Her e-mail address is nbyrd@aaup.org.
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