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This Web site contains information focused on solutions to global issues related to the environment, energy, and international security. This organization works with members of Congress and the media, along with community representatives from all over the country. It is a 501(c)(4) organization. Key Terms:advocacy, election, government, lobbying, politics, voting
Preferred Practice:
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Recognize What Daily Activities Constitute Lobbying
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When you are communicating your views and urging action of the general public or a legislator regarding specific legislation, know that you are already engaging in lobbying.
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Understand Laws and Regulations Regarding Nonprofit Lobbying
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Training and education on lobbying provides the confidence needed to aggressively pursue public policy on behalf of your mission.
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This course teaches communication, lobbying, research, and many more skills needed to become an effective advocate. Key Terms: advocacy, communication, congress, effective communication, lobby, lobbying, media relations, message, political system
Preferred Practice:
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Use An Outside Lobbyist As Part of Your Advocacy Campaign
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After you have created an internal public policy program within your organization, using an outside lobbyist can be an effective strategy.
Pitfall:
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Relying on an Outside Lobbyist for Most of Your Advocacy Activities
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Though outside lobbyists can be an important part of your team, they do not take the place of developing an active grassroots public policy program within your organization.
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Limiting Your Impact by Not Clearly Distinguishing Lobbying Activities from Advocacy Activities
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Advocacy refers to any activity that attempts to change government policy, while lobbying is a subset of advocacy that aims to influence specific legislation, which means it is aimed at a legislative body.
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This Web site includes a variety of nonprofit accountability, ethics and outcomes measurement resources including compendium of standards, codes, and principles of nonprofit and philanthropic organizations.
Preferred Practice:
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If Not Electing the Expenditure Test, Tracking Advocacy Activities of Your Volunteers Becomes Very Important
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The Insubstantial Part Test is complicated, and requires meticulous record keeping to prove that your organization has not done too much lobbying.
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Use An Outside Lobbyist As Part of Your Advocacy Campaign
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After you have created an internal public policy program within your organization, using an outside lobbyist can be an effective strategy.
Pitfall:
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Relying on an Outside Lobbyist for Most of Your Advocacy Activities
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Though outside lobbyists can be an important part of your team, they do not take the place of developing an active grassroots public policy program within your organization.
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This Web site provides the basics, templates and samples, FAQs, and featured resources under each management area such as starting a nonprofit, mission and values, governance, partnerships and alliances, principles and practices for nonprofit excellence, and more.
Preferred Practice:
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Have A Policy Promoting Pluralism and Diversity within the Organization's Board, Staff, and Constituencies
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Organizations vary widely in their ability to demonstrate pluralism and diversity. Every organization should establish a policy that is consistent with its mission statement and fosters inclusiveness such as an affirmative action program.
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Avoid Real or Perceived Conflicts of Interest and Abuses of Power
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Continually update and improve financial, personnel, and organizational policies; develop appropriate checks and balances; and have and enforce a conflict-of-interest policy for board, staff, and volunteers.
Pitfall:
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Having Unclear Roles of the Board and CEO
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The board should develop detailed roles and responsibilities for each board member, specific to each role. The CEO's role and responsibilities should also be clear, so there should be an explanation of how the CEO should interact with the board and at board meetings.
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Having a Board That is Not Representative
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Match the diversity of your board and staff to the diversity of the people in your community of supporters and clients.
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Allowing Personal or Political Agendas to Interfere with the Board's Responsibility to Serve the Best Interests of the Organization
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Every endeavor that the board takes on and every decision made should be done in order to fulfill the mission and purpose of the organization.
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