NASW's Advocacy Agenda
Developing an Advocacy Agenda

Every year the Board of Directors of NASW-NYS Chapter establishes an Advocacy Agenda. The Agenda defines broad critical issues of concern to the Association, by focusing the expenditure of resources on those areas where NASW can have the greatest effect. The Advocacy Agenda establishes comprehensive priorities for the NYS Chapter, which allows for flexibility in responding to the myriad of legislative and regulatory issues that may develop during a program year.

In particular, the Agenda:

• Communicates the Chapter's legislative and regulatory interests to NASW members and guides the members' advocacy activities;
• Acts as a control for the Chapter against over-extending its capabilities through numerous, unplanned activities;
• Communicates to the Legislature, the Governor, State Agencies, and the public, the Chapter's advocacy interests and priorities;
• Serves as a tool to evaluate the performance of elected officials, determining how often they support or oppose NASW positions on issues of concern to the profession and our clients; and
• Serves as a useful tool for the Chapter to use in assessing its advocacy activities and to evaluate the advocacy program for future years.

The Advocacy Agenda is developed by using a standard set of criteria. The draft agenda is developed by the Committee, with the support of staff. The agenda is then approved by the Chapter Board of Directors. The Agenda must:

• Be consistent with NASW policy, as defined in Social Work Speaks. This document contains policy statements established by the triennial NASW Delegate Assembly. This Assembly is a democratic body comprising a proportional representation of elected Delegates from each of the 56 Chapters;
• Reflect priorities established by the Delegate Assembly for the entire Association, and priorities identified by the Chapter's Board of Directors;
• It must contain realistic legislative objectives and must be managed within the resources available to the Chapter;
• Reflect those issues in which the involvement of NASW will make a difference in the advocacy outcome;
• Include a balance of issues which reflect varying levels of priority.

The Advocacy Agenda provides the framework for the Chapter's activity during a program year. The Agenda is utilized to prepare memoranda of support or opposition to specific bills introduced into the Senate or Assembly; to develop Chapter testimony regarding access to services and professional qualifications; and to comment on proposed changes in regulations. The Agenda also provides the framework by which the Chapter can develop new legislative and regulatory proposals. Testimony and memoranda are developed by Chapter staff, in consultation with social work experts in substantive areas.

                                                ABC's of Advocacy
How A Bill Becomes A Law

1. A bill is introduced by a Senator or Assemblymember
2. It is given a number and sent to the appropriate standing committee.
3. The members of the committee evaluate bills and decide whether to "report" them (send them) to the floor for a final decision by the full membership of that legislative house. Other Committee actions that can be taken on bills are: public hearings, amendment, defeat, or hold for consideration.
4. If it is reported out of committee, it goes to the third reading calendar. The bill must then age for three legislative days before it is voted on. At this point the bill is subject to amendment (changes have been made to the original bill), star (all further action on such bill is suspended until further notice), lay aside (the bill is either taken off the calendar for that day or put aside to debate on the floor), recommittal (has been sent back to a committee).
5. If passed in one house, the bill is then sent to the other house where it is treated as a new bill and referred to a committee. Once that house passes the bill in the identical form it goes to the Governor for approval.
6. The Governor has 10 days (not including Sundays) to sign or veto bills passed by both houses. The Governor's failure to sign or veto a bill within the 10-day period means that it automatically becomes a law.
7. Vetoed bills are returned to the house that first passed them, together with a statement of the reason for their disapproval. A vetoed bill can become law if two-thirds of the members of each house vote to override the Governor's veto.
8. If a bill is sent to the Governor when the Legislature is out of session, the Governor has 30 days to make a decision, and failure to act (pocket veto) has the same effect as a veto.

Lobbying Tips

1. Be prepared. Many legislative visits are part of "lobby days" or other group efforts. Everyone in the group should know what role they are playing. Choose a team leader to address the issue or issues. Many times the legislator may not be able to meet with you, but a staff member is almost always available. Meet with the staff member, they will bring your concerns back to the Legislator. Bring materials for the legislator and/or staff member.
2. Identify yourself. Have group members introduce themselves, who they represent and whether or not they are a constituent.
3. Know your subject. You do not have to be an expert, but know what effect the pending legislation will have/or has had on the area you are representing. If available, convey data specific to the area you are representing. While area is often geographic, it can also be used to describe a field of practice such as child welfare services.
4. Be concise and stay focused. The time allotted for legislative visits is usually 15 to 20 minutes. Get your point across and let the legislator know what you expect from them.
5. Know the legislator. Know the legislator's position on the issue before you meet with them. Stress the importance of their continued support. If the legislator supports your position, tap into their inside knowledge for subsequent courses of action.
6. Do not burn any bridges. If they do not support your position, be courteous about disagreements and leave the meeting on good terms with the legislator. The only way they will change their minds is if they are listening to what you have to say. Even if they don't change their mind on that particular issue, there may be a time in the future when they support another issue. You might ask what information they might need to allow them to change their minds on the issue. This gives you an opening to come back and to revisit the issue with them.
7. Remember you are the boss. Remember your tax dollars pay their salaries. They are responsible to you. You should feel comfortable in your right to be speaking with them. You shouldn't, however, make that pointing in an explicit statement to the legislator.
8. Follow-up. Thank the legislator or staff member at the conclusion of your visit and follow-up with a brief thank you letter. In your letter, outline any commitments the legislator offered and if you promised some additional information be sure to follow through.

Other Forms of Advocacy

1. Letter writing campaigns to legislators.
2. Grassroots activities such as rallies.
3. Building coalitions.
4. Local lobbying visits by constituents to their legislators.
5. Media activity including news conferences, editorial board visits, letters to the editor.