Lobbyists have one kind of message for politicians. Grass roots advocates have another, different message: personal stories from the district and relationships.
Members bring to the capital numbers and distribution, i.e., they come from around the state and country
as voters they have a power lobbyists don't.
How grass roots advocate deliver the message is critical to penetrate the clutter staff and electeds face, so they have to learn many techniques from social media to old fashioned but still powerful newspaper editorials, op-eds, postal mail and letters to the editor.
Once is not enough. Your advocates need to hear from professional and volunteer leadership regularly with reward, recognition and motivation messages. Elected officials need to hear regularly from advocates in person and other way with reinforcing, positive communications.
