Ten years ago, FCNL embraced an idea that turned out to be transformative: What if people across the country had access to expert lobbying advice and training from our Washington, D.C. staff? With training and support from FCNL staff, could volunteer advocates lobby consistently and effectively?
That question was put to the test in June 2015, when FCNL launched seven Advocacy Teams to lobby for the Iran Nuclear Deal. In two months, these teams held dozens of lobby visits and published numerous letters to the editor. Their efforts contributed to the deal’s success.
Even when teams did not achieve an immediate policy win, they built long-term influence. The Waterloo (IA) Advocacy Team, for example, could not sway Senator Grassley (IA) on the Iran deal, but they earned the trust of his staff and met with him personally. He told them, “We weren’t on the same side on this issue, but I hope we are on the next.”
His words were prescient.
Read the rest of this article here and the other articles in the issue on the sidebar.