CIVIC ENGAGEMENT 101

A State Capital Trip Brings Lobbying Tips While Advocating On The Issues

On April 4, I joined 30 Floridians from around the Sunshine State in Tallahassee for Florida Healthy Beaches Day. The majority of us were not trained or paid lobbyists, but rather concerned surfers, divers, boaters, educators and advocates. For most of us, being civically engaged was unfamiliar, but the experience ended up being worthwhile and rewarding.

According to Emma Haydocy – a Tavernier resident, avid angler and Surfrider’s Florida policy manager – lobbying is influencing or swaying another toward a desired action. It’s getting something you want by talking to decision makers. We practiced “direct lobbying,” in which we asked decision makers to vote in particular ways on specific pieces of legislation.

The action actually started the day before, when Surfrider Foundation hosted an Advocacy 101 training with its conservation partners, Oceana and Healthy Gulf. Haydocy explained how a bill becomes a law (cue Schoolhouse Rock), what to expect and why this process is important. She said, “My hope is that this process will be demystified and that you’ll feel more comfortable getting involved and staying engaged in the lawmaking process.”

Her tips were logistical, practical and educational. Standouts included:

• Don’t be late.

• Dress appropriately (suits or business casual) and wear comfortable shoes.

• Stories humanize issues and make them memorable – don’t be afraid to tell yours.

• It’s okay to say “I don’t know. Can I get back to you?”

• Make specific requests (e.g. please co-sponsor Bill A, please ask the Speaker of the House to support this issue, etc.).

• Don’t try to change everyone’s mind. If you start butting heads, pivot to common ground.

• If you can’t meet with legislators, meet with their staff. These people are the trusted resources of our decision makers, and we want to become their trusted advisers.

• Leave information packets behind with representatives with bill reference numbers, pertinent background information, desired outcomes (support/oppose/fund/etc.) and the contact information of everyone in your group.

• Send thank-you notes and follow up with any information you promised.

Keeping these tips in mind, we started lobbying. Christy Le Mahieu began with a story about a popular kayaking spot in Miami that’s been contaminated and unsafe for over three years. Le Mahieu tests water quality for Surfrider Miami, and the results show dangerously high bacteria levels. Wildlife in this area gets sick often, and people kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding often develop skin lesions. She closed out her story with a funding request for more robust water quality testing statewide.

– Visit keysweekly.com for the full story.