PRESENTATIONS

I Successful Strategies for Change

Presented by Rick Hutchins, PolicyLink NB

Based on the PolicyLink NB report, Understanding and Influencing the Policy Development Process (June 2002) the presentation highlighted key sections.

Emerging Themes:

• Strength and power in numbers
• The strong voice of business
• Get the ear of Politicians – influencing and informing elected members
• Have a plan
• Handle the media with care
• Get the bureaucrats on side
• Information sharing
• Partnerships

Summary of Key Findings of the Report

Comments from those interviewed when asked about the most effective ways for volunteer agencies to influence public policy -

1. Ensure the personal involvement of politicians.
2. Do not use the media to attack bureaucrats.
3. It is important to have collaboration and cooperation among the not-for-profit agencies.
4. It is vital that the organizations do their homework in order to educate and engage the politicians and bureaucrats.
5. Develop alliances.
6. It is important to have perseverance and to keep in touch.
7. Not-for-profit organizations must be informed about government policy.
8. The voluntary sector must appreciate and understand that things are almost always political.
9. It is vital for agencies to understand “how the game is played” and use all the possibilities they can to lobby government.
10. Consider inviting government officials to sit on the Board of the organization.
11. The role of the community, especially the business community was indicated to be important to the voluntary sector. Cultivating the private sector relations was seen to be a priority for volunteer organizations.
12. The relationships between government, the private sector and the not -for-profit groups was seen as needing to be nurtured.
13. Appropriate use of the media was found to be crucial to not-for-profit organizations.
14. The use of paid lobbyists should be used sparingly if at all, according to those interviewed.
15. Ensuring that the government and the public “buy-in” to good ideas is important.
16. It is important to prove to government that the issue is important and that the program is costeffective.
17. Influencing public policy was said to require a significant amount of determination on the part of the not-for-profit organizations.
18. Cooperation on the part of the organization to work with the politicians and bureaucrats rather than against them is important.
19. Building valued relationships with journalists can be beneficial to aiding the organization’s cause.
20. Be creative and open-minded about policy development.
21. Present possible solutions to problems with public policy rather than going to the politicians and bureaucrats complaining.
22. Being familiar with the government’s agenda (i.e. the Prosperity Plan, the Throne Speech, the Party’s Platform, etc.) is essential.
23. Be prepared when meeting with government officials and politicians. Know the existing policy, identify the problems and concerns clearly and be prepared to propose viable options regarding what could be done to fix it.