Visits, calls, emails and letters on a specific piece of legislation. Grassroots lobbying can have a significant impact on an elected official, especially when done with a media strategy. Tax exempt organizations (501c3) have strict limits on their lobbying activities. Groups like NETWORK: A Catholic Social Justice Lobby (a 501c4) have info on legislative advocacy on their website: www.networklobby.org
A trained group of individuals who speak to the media or make presentations to groups on a specific issue. Speakers bureau are most effective when used in the context of a specific campaign. When done as part of a campaign, it’s important for the speaker to ask the audience take an action: endorse the campaign, financially contribute, volunteer for phone calling, literature distribution, petitioning.
Phone calls with specific messaging to a targeted group of people. The key to successful phone banking is a good list and a short compelling message. It also helps to be in relationship with an organization (unions are the best places) that has lots of phones (and lines) and is willing to let you use them.
Going door to door with a specific message and literature. Much like phone banking, successful canvassing depends on having a targeted list of people to visit and trained volunteers (with good legs).
Seek out candidates or an elected official at various events to ask questions with a specific issue “frame” (common good, anti-war, rights of workers, reducing poverty).
Press Releases, Letters to the Editor, Op-eds, radio/TV or billboard ads, YouTube, blogging. Any action worth doing is worth getting media coverage. A Media Toolkit is available on the Alliance website to help groups figure out the most effective media strategies: link to media toolkit?
For help on any of these actions, please contact the CACG National Grassroots Office at: vkovari@catholicsinalliance.org