Grasstops Lobbying: Step 5 Engage
If steps 1 to 4 were good fun, step 5 is the best fun! Now you get to establish and grow your relationships towards support for the Australian Climate Dividend and other future bipartisan climate solutions.
Plan and Conduct First Meeting
Before the Meeting
Have a planning session a few days before the meeting. In person, by phone or Zoom. Decide who will attend from CCL. Two is company, three’s okay. For most meetings, more than three is too many.
Will the meeting be in person or by phone/Zoom? In person is preferable if possible, especially for smaller local companies. Phone/Zoom is okay, especially if it simplifies meeting logistics and allows a meeting to happen sooner.
Allocate the team roles for those who are attending. Since there are going to be fewer of you than a meeting with a Member of Parliament, people will have multiple roles. Also, the meeting is likely to be less formal, unless you are meeting with a CEO of a big company.
Leader, usually the “constituent” (in this case, the one who has the best relationship with them, or who contacted them for the meeting, or is overall most comfortable leading the meeting.)
Subject matter expert: this would be someone with above-average knowledge of either CCL/ACD or the industry your business is in. CCL can often provide a subject matter expert, to attend via phone/Zoom.
Appreciators: could be more than one person, as long as they are heartfelt.
Notetaker: note what did they ask to see, what did you promise to send. Don’t need details like we do for MPs but still record in the system.
The asker: it’s a good idea to have one person who is comfortable with this and knows about the options.
Follow up: who sends the same-day “thank You” email, who sends the info they asked for or we promised.
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We recognize that every company is unique, and what every company is able to do can differ. Accordingly, our ASK of companies is flexible, and we are eager to explore any ideas that come up.
Publicly support the Australian Climate Dividend (ACD)
Privately express support for the ACD to your Congressman and Senators
Attend meetings organised by CCL with Members of Parliament
Educate people within your business and business network about the ACD, and introduce us to other potential supporters
Write (or co-author with CCL) a newspaper or magazine op-ed about your climate position and activities
Co-sponsor or co-host a local business roundtable
Become a member of CCL
Participate in CCL’s national and regional conferences
We accept donations gratefully
Let’s stay in touch
At the Meeting
Start with the time check, introductions and appreciations.
If the appreciations lead to a discussion about the organisation’s environmental/climate work, let them elaborate.
Ask open ended questions, and LISTEN. Strive for 50-50 you listen, they listen.
If possible, let them ask you about CCL, ACD.
Discuss and decide on possible next steps, ranging from “endorse right now” to “provide more information and meet again”.
Responding to business objections (e.g. Legal says we don’t support lobby groups).
After the Meeting
Immediately send a thank you note.
Later that day or a few days later, as promised, provide additional information.
Stay in touch, keep the relationship alive.
Record the meeting in CCL’s system.
Grow the Relationship
Staying in touch
Regardless of whether your influencer agrees to take any lobbying action, it’s important to keep the relationship alive. One of the easiest ways of doing this is with the occasional email. Share relevant news stories, updates on CCL and the ACD, including new endorsements. Forward the CCL newsletter. Gradually encourage them to take stronger action.
Leveraging Support
Is your contact willing to join your next MP meeting, write a letter or record a short message?
The Medal Dais
Further Reading
All the articles in this playbook on Grasstops Lobbying have been extracted from a document titled The Ultimate Guide to Grasstops Engagement. It contains a very comprehensive list of resources to help you become an effective lobbyist and is highly recommended reading. The full version is available to CCL members and on request.