Our Advocacy May Be Virtual, But It Is Still Necessary
COVID-19 has given rise to a different kind of advocacy: online advocacy. Congress members’ time is more accessible than it has ever been, but is lobbying through a screen as effective as it is in person? What other pitfalls or positives may arise? Sarah Bolton, Principal at The Raben Group, has years of federal- and state-level policy experience and has joined us to give her take on virtual advocacy.
Is virtual advocacy necessary?
Absolutely! As with so many of us, members of Congress and other elected officials have also been more isolated during the COVID-19 pandemic. At the same time, we are in a critical political moment with unprecedented opportunities to make progress on the most important issues of our time. That means it’s more important than ever to make sure our voices are heard.
Do you think virtual advocacy is here to stay?
We expect in-person meetings will return in full force once the country is in a true period of recovery from the pandemic, but virtual advocacy SHOULD be here to stay. It’s an important tool to connect electeds to their constituents, and to hold members of Congress accountable. Virtual advocacy is particularly powerful for those who otherwise might not be able to travel to their state capitol or to Washington, DC by providing an accessible means for engaging with lawmakers as well as an important opportunity to build relationships beyond one meeting.
What are the cornerstones of successful virtual advocacy?
We should see virtual advocacy as an opportunity to lean in to sharing our diverse stories with fewer barriers between us and those we elected. In many ways, preparing for a virtual advocacy engagement is the same as preparing for an in-person meeting. Participants should ensure that there are clear roles for meeting participants, including designating who is leading introductions, sharing various parts of the agenda and personal stories, and asking questions of the members of Congress. Follow-up is still key as well – a personalized email thank you note helps solidify your message and ensure ongoing communication with the office. And of course, technology is a blessing and a curse when it comes to virtual advocacy, so organizers should practice on their video conference platform in advance so meetings can run as smoothly as possible. If there are hiccups, though, don’t fret – we all experience them, including members of Congress!
What about meetings with lawmakers who are already in support of your position? Does it make a difference?
It’s easy to question why you should spend your energy contacting members of Congress who already support your positions. However, it is absolutely a good use of your time! Our congressional champions need to know that their constituents are behind them and support their hard work. Members of Congress track the calls and emails that come into their office in support of and in opposition to bills and issues. It’s powerful when they can say: “I’ve heard from 5,000 people in my district that they support this bill!” As a network of progressive women, WDN Action also has an important opportunity to show up in support of our progressive champions in Congress.
Is virtual advocacy as effective as in-person advocacy?
Virtual advocacy can definitely be as effective as in-person advocacy. Either provides an opportunity to provide members of Congress and their staff with well-reasoned arguments in favor of or in opposition to policies, as well as a platform for meaningfully sharing why you care. Making this emotional connection is important and will help your message stay with them long after your Zoom window has closed.
Could virtual advocacy be more creative in its approach without the limitations of being in a physical office? What else is possible? Have you seen new ways for information or emotion to be conveyed through the screen?
The opportunities to leverage virtual advocacy are endless and creativity is encouraged! Unique but still well-organized and efficient virtual meetings will stand out amongst the many that members of Congress and their staff participate in daily. Ideas include:
Virtual tours
Using a creative background linked to your “ask”
Persuasive pre-recorded videos
Hosting virtual town halls
Wearing a certain meaningful color or dressing in a theme that matches your advocacy strategy
Utilizing breakout rooms
