LOBBY-IT CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
Listen! You don’t have to wait for an election to influence policy. You can tell decision makers what you think, at any time. This is called lobbying. So…if you want to respond to an issue in the news. …Or if you want to raise the profile of an issue important to you. Get on your lobby horse!
STEPS TO GETTING STARTED
A Identify your issues
B Think …is the issue local, national or European
C Get together a team
D set your aims
E Do your homework on the issue
F Spread the word
Is my issue :
- LOCAL?
- Main target –local council
- Visit or get in touch by phone or letter
- HINT: contact MPs, MEPs, local members of the house of lords, community leaders, etc.
- NATIONAL?
- First stop- MP
- Visit, write, or phone
- Is there a select committee interested in your issue?
- TO EUROPE OR NOT TO EUROPE?
- Remember the European union is your voice in Europe representing 50 Million young people
- Contact MEPs
- Submit petitions, send to president of European parliament
- Get information from local European parliament members.
SPREAD THE WORD
You’ve done your homework. Now is the time to get the thinking caps on and plan, plan, plan!
- Have you thought of ways of raising publicity?
- What about demos, sit-ins, marches or rallies?
- Why not carry out letter campaigns to MPs, MEPs, local papers or national papers?
- You could find supporters and raise cash through concerts, festivals, plays, and sponsored events…
- Could you organise regular meetings where individuals and the group agree an action plan and report on success?
USE YOUR IMAGINATION?
THINGS TO DO
Find out about people in your area who have been involved in lobbying.
Carry out a questionnaire on issues people feel concerned about.
In groups – discuss ideas and methods on how to raise publicity.
Draw up a press release.
Submit a petition to European parliament.
DID YOU KNOW?
MPs, counsellors and other decision-makers have a duty to represent the interests of everyone living in their constituency whether you vote for them or not.
TOP TIPS FOR MEDIA USE
Get them on your side- establish a good working relationship.
Tell them what you are planning in advance.
Let them know about your achievements.
Q: What’s the difference from a success and a failure?
A: EFFECTIVE USE OF THE MEDIA
Let them know about your achievements. Have you thought about a press release?
