Sarah Warner, Chair of Legislation and Policy for End Slavery Cincinnati Anti-Human Trafficking Coalition
An earlier version listed David Corliss as the author, this has been updated.
Data has no political party, its numbers no ulterior motive. Facts as they are proven create a sturdy framework that can withstand the railings of misinformation and unconscious bias. In a world fraught with emotion and layered with mixed messages from the media, data can help cut through the noise and paint a picture to legislators of urgency, need, impact, and hope that is universal and accessible from both sides of the aisle. Data and analysis wielded in tandem with strategic lobby work creates a tangible launching point for effective conversation in the greater dialogue of legislative advocacy.
Legislative advocacy is an all-encompassing term that is so much more than simple lobbying. My focus in advocacy work has centered on human trafficking, poverty, and domestic violence over the years and has ranged from having legislative meetings with members of state and national legislature, providing testimony on bills, organizing group lobbying and testimony efforts, training others for interaction with their legislators, meeting to propose new legislation, and providing consultation behind the scenes on current and upcoming legislation. The result has been the passing of bills related to the tax on women’s hygiene products, foster care transparency laws, human trafficking survivor protections, and more. Working with both sides of the aisle, and in a network of other passionate leaders, great changes have been made with more to come.
However, the road to effecting new legislation is long and often frustrating. It may take weeks to get a meeting with your legislators. Bills fall on and off committee schedules seemingly at random, sometimes even losing steam in their first or second hearing, never to be seen again without efforts by the community to resurrect them. Organizing groups of advocates can be like herding cats, and providing enough education to those working on the issue can be time-consuming. Writing and presenting testimony can be daunting, and while anyone can testify on a piece of legislation, few provide the training to do so with confidence. All of this becomes worth it when you see the fundamental change in your state or national infrastructure and the human impact of your work.
To have the greatest impact, advocacy must have a few key components:
1.
Collaboration
Plug the issue you are working on into a coalition. Whether it’s connecting with survivors to bolster their stories or working alongside another organization to combine strengths and deliver a more complete picture, collaboration lends credibility and depth to an advocacy approach.
2.
Human Stories
Legislators are people, too, and that means they will automatically look for the personal connection and emotional response they have to what you are presenting. Finding the right example and adding a human face and story to your approach will carry the data you are working to present much farther than simple cold facts. (It should be noted here that first-hand stories are far more effective than hearsay.)
3.
Good Research
There is no substitute for accredited, verified, relevant, up-to-date research when advocating on an issue. Establishing that you have not only considered the facts of your presentation, but also can provide shareable data and statistical research for further reading provides a strong argument that also allows representatives to “see for themselves” why it matters. Research can be a launching point for further discussion with a legislator and can often open the door to further collaboration with your statehouse.
Legislative advocacy can take many forms. Perhaps your strong suit is education and training, in which case you can present at coalition meetings in your field and create a conversation with new data findings that will guide and impact the work of the group. Sometimes, the lens and encouragement found in data can be the catalyst for action. One thing I have learned from my leadership within various nonprofit organizations is the value of a network that lends diverse experience to the team. Passionate teams can move mountains, and there is no shortage of need in your community for whatever your strength is.
If your engagement style is more direct, you can connect with your state and congressional representatives. As their constituent, your voice is important to them. Anyone can write or call their representatives about an issue of importance, especially if it pertains to current legislation. Sometimes, doing so leads to a request to provide input or testimony on a bill.
Other colleagues of mine prefer a hybrid approach, connecting with like-minded groups working on an issue and providing them with analysis and leadership from their field, occasionally joining lobby visits, legislative calls, or sending written testimony. Our democratic government is very accessible, and speaking with its representation is often overlooked as an avenue for change.
As a direct advocate, I encourage you to connect with your statehouse as much as possible. Bills are easily tracked online, and your representatives are more available for meetings and phone calls. I especially urge you to use your analytic expertise and experience to testify on bills that center on your issue of choice early and often. Testimony is what alters the course of legislation. It allows for crucial changes to be made to language, adds or removes stipulations, and can be the push that kills or boosts a bill in committee. Moreover, it creates a record.
Your words and data-driven statistical summary shared with your legislators in testimony can create a stepping stone for those who testify later, a pivot in conversation, and oftentimes a voice that has not yet been heard on the issue. Again, your legislators are human and are not experts on everything. Legislation is created with the hope and understanding that leaders in the field and those with experience in the area will give their input to guide the process.
Last, I encourage Data for Good statistician-advocates to look for coalitions and leaders around their issues in their communities. Often led by volunteers and nonprofits, these organizations and groups need a variety of expertise around the table, help finding and accessing good data, and support to interpret research. You may be surprised at the grassroots efforts in your region already working for change and waiting for your voice to help make a difference!
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