ADVOCACY KIT
The National Sporting Goods Association takes pride in advocating on behalf of its members, but also wants its members to have the resources to advocate for themselves. This kit is a tool to enable & encourage members to communicate with legislators, local government and more.
Table of Contents 1. Find your State Senator & House Representative 2. Steps for Advocacy 3. Lobbying Decision Makers 4. Digital Advocacy 5. Writing a Letter: Why & When 6. Writing a Letter: Letter Writing Campaigns & Email 7. How to Write a Letter to an Elected Official 8. Contact NSGA
To find your State Senator, scan the QR code below, or use the following link: senate.gov
Advocacy is the support for, or recommendation of, a particular cause or policy.
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To find your House Representative, scan the QR code below, or use the following link: house.gov
Steps for Advocacy 1. Understand the issue Develop a deeper understanding of the issue you are advocating upon Do extensive research on the topic. Read articles, talk to organizations and know what is going on to change it now.
2. Identify Opponents Once research has been done, identify legislators or others who may oppose the change Develop questions the opponents may have and develop strong answers, but it is important you stick to facts.
3. Define Your Message Be specific about what you are advocating for Must be easily understood by people that are unfamiliar with the issue Offer solutions that are feasible based on the economic and political climate
4. Make the Issue Personal Briefly explain how this issue effects you or or business Continue to keep the meeting factual
Click here for more information on Steps for Advocacy
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Lobbying Decision Makers Lobbying: persuading someone with more decision making power to support a particular situation The Issue Should be Important Ensure the issue is compelling, sympathetic and winnable Represents a large group of people
Base of Support Know people that are affected and get their support Let decision makers know your are watching how they vote on your issue - they will behave differently Click here for more information Tell decision makers the amount of people that for care about the issue on Steps Advocacy
Persuasive Message See "Writing Letters to Elected Officials" to better understand how to communicate with an elected official Know personal things about the decision maker - keep the conversation light-hearted, but professional
Click here for more information on Lobbying Decision Makers
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Digital Advocacy Digital, or Social Media, Advocacy can be used to reach a large population of people in a short amount of time 1. Focus: Set a goal for your advocacy campaign that will have an impact 2. Grab Attention: Spread the issue you are advocating for on social media platforms 3. Engage: Make people connect with your goal, or seek out people you know will be affected by the issue 4. Take Action: Empower & enable others
Click here for more information on Digital Advocacy
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Why should you write a letter? To explain how an issue affects you To support/oppose a proposed law/policy/course of action (include information about the issue) To request a meeting To thank an official for support To ask for help or support
When to write a letter
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An issue arises that affects you There is an upcoming vote on a policy Just before an election elected officials are anxious to please when running for a re-election Immediately after the official does something you approve/disapprove of
Using email Makes for a quick receipt & response Can be overlooked Saves trouble of sending a letter Con: Official may receive hundreds of emails per day
Letter writing campaigns Contact potential writers People should be directly affected by the issue Have several templates to send to writers Writer should state their name and how they are connected to the issue Offer assistance if needed
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How to write a letter to an elected official Steps to take when writing a letter to an elected official: 1. Decide on the recipient 2. Open in an official manner 3. State the purpose of your letter 4. Summarize your understanding of the issue 5. Explain your position & the effect it has on you/others 6. Acknowledge the elected officials past support on similar issues 7. Describe what action you hope the official will take 8. If you have time an are committed, offer help 9. Close and sign your letter - include your address and phone number 10. Check your letter for mistakes - have another person read it
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Click here for a template of a letter to an elected official
Industry related issue?
CLICK HERE
We will connect you with a National Sporting Goods Association staff member that will work with you to ensure your voice is heard.
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For more information: (800) 815-5422 :: info@nsga.org www.nsga.org/advocacy