Grasstops Lobbying: An Introduction
What is Grasstops Lobbying?
Grasstops Lobbying is asking prominent community leaders, businesses, local governments, and non-governmental organisations to support our climate solutions.
A prominent community leader, or ‘influencer’, is an individual who represents a collection of other people or has a large following. For example, a doctor who is a sole proprietor is not prominent, but a doctor who is the head of a medical association, a hospital department, or a patient advocacy organisation would be considered prominent.
Grassroots vs. Grasstops
To help us understand what CCL means when we use the term ‘Grasstops’, here’s a quick comparison between grassroots and Grasstops.
Grassroots:
Are citizens / members of the general public
Have a small economic footprint
Have limited connections
Have an individual focus
Grasstops:
Belong to organisations, are community leaders or prominent individuals
Are a major employer, large association leader, faith, business, or city leader, etc.
Have many possible connections
Have a larger footprint in the community
Political Lobbying vs. Grasstops Lobbying
Political lobbying and grasstops lobbying are similar in a number of ways. To be effective in Grasstops Lobbying, you:
Build a trusting relationship with them - this includes being on time, proactive, helpful, professional, and knowledgeable.
Give them respect and appreciation.
Do your homework before you meet with them.
Follow through on your commitments.
How do we go about Grasstops Lobbying?
CCL Australia’s method for Grasstops Lobbying is called the ‘T.R.I.C.E. Method’: Team-up and Research to Identify, Contact, and Engage with the Grasstops.
The word ‘trice’ is a noun that is aptly defined as: in a very short time.
By applying the TRICE Method, your Grasstops Lobbying efforts can produce a greater impact, sooner.
The Grasstops Structure at CCL
By using the TRICE Method, CCLA volunteers are empowered to engage the Grasstops through teaming up with:
an electorate group
any of the National Sector Teams
the National Grasstops Action Team
What is the Impact of Grasstops Lobbying?
The primary objective of Grasstops Lobbying is to create political will by leveraging support from the Grasstops for our keystone climate solution. The greater the perception of support, the stronger our proposed solution.
Grasstops intersects and integrates with our other lobbying efforts. CCL uses the support from the Grasstops to bolster our Federal and State lobbying efforts and to keep CCL’s proposed solution front of mind. Grasstops support helps CCL build awareness in the public eye and across the political spectrum.
What Does Success Look Like?
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.