Citizen's Lobby Day: A Look Back at the 2007 Legislative Session

By Janine Gates

(Editor's Note: Originally printed in Women's Outdoor Magazine, April 2007)

"Everyone there was so nice and supportive and eager to listen, from the representatives to the event organizers. I'm still talking about how incredible an experience it was," says Sylvia Moss of Seattle, days after her first experience as a citizen lobbyist.

Moss isn't the only one who felt that "Citizen's Lobby Day," sponsored by the Priorities for a Healthy Washington, was a success. Rein Attemann, Seattle Field Director for People For Puget Sound, agrees with Moss. He estimates that about 250 citizens, representing 34 districts, visited 105 legislators at the State Capitol to promote environmental issues.

Citizen's Lobby Day organizers, headquartered at United Churches near Olympia's Capitol Campus, welcomed pre-registered and last-minute participants, many of whom arrived via carpools from throughout Western Washington. Overall, there was a general feeling of empowerment among activists. They hope their voices will translate into votes that will further their environmental interests.

Strategic briefings led by environmental organizers helped activists determine the key points of each environmental priority, ask clarifying questions, and develop ad-hoc teams. If time allowed, team members rehearsed questions and determined who was going to speak on specific topics during the meeting with their district legislator. Meeting times with legislators usually last about 15 minutes, so getting one's message across briefly but effectively is important.

Some participants were nervous prior to their meeting, but afterwards, were clearly relieved that they had conveyed their perspective. Many were surprised to discover that their legislator was just an ordinary person. Topics at times inadvertently drifted into other areas, such the legislator's pet bill or the dreaded "V" issue, the viaduct transportation issue facing Seattle, but most meetings stayed "on message."

Some citizen activists were more experienced and were familiar faces to the legislator, such as citizen activists Michele Savelle and Dick Burkhart of Seattle area's 37th District. They traveled to Olympia to meet with their legislator, Rep. Eric Pettigrew, (D-37).

For many, such as Sylvia Moss, this was their first trip to Olympia. Moss took the bus and was told by organizers upon arrival that, as far as they knew, she was the only one representing Legislative District 21, which includes the Lynnwood-Everett area.

Moss says she was nervous, "But when I saw that there was no one (else) present for District 21, I felt a sense of obligation. They told me I could go with a bigger group, but I simply had to show the Legislature that district 21 was present," Moss said.

After her meetings with Senator Paull Shin and Representative Brian Sullivan's legislative assistant, Moss filled out information forms, and took them back to Lobby Day organizers. Moss said that even though Representative Sullivan was out sick that day, she was impressed that his assistant asked lots of questions and discussed specific bills.

Concerning the entire day, Moss later said, "I came home that night buzzing. I was on a high. So much of my (regular) job is about reading, reporting and advocating on behalf of animals, about very sad circumstances animals are put in. At Lobby Day I felt the positive energy of grassroots organizing and empowering citizens to take action. And I felt empowered too! It was one of the most positive experiences I've had in a long time regarding advocating for a better world."

Janine Gates can be reached through her website at www.janinegatesphotography.com.