Lobbyist Overview
Your job as a lobbyist revolves around discussing bills and influencing the passage or failure in either the House of Representatives or the Senate. By the time you're done, you will know how to conduct research on a client, work as a team with your fellow lobbyists and legislators, write and speak persuasively and be able to identify the pros and cons of various issues.
A lobbyist must grasp both the written and unwritten rules of legislative procedure in order to follow and to influence legislation. They must know the chances a bill has of being passed in order to determine which bill takes priority. At different stages of the process, the lobbyist should be in contact with the bill’s author(s). Each is a potential ally or can provide a special vantage point.
Lobbyists use their power and influence to mold and guide individual bills and ensure that they are passed or defeated in accordance with their client’s interests. They do this by providing information, testimony and research materials that will influence legislators to support their position. They are incredibly important to the legislative process as the information they provide often helps shape votes.
As a Lobbyist, your calendar for the year will look like this:
Step 1: Register online for the NC YMCA Youth Legislature program.
Step 2: Apply to be a lobbyist.
Step 3: Attend, the Pre-Conference to learn more about the Lobbyist Role. You will receive an actual bill assignments, team assignments, Position Paper writing training and most importantly public speaking training. After attending Pre-Conference, you will be expected to write and turn in speeches or fact sheets about the bills assigned to you.
Step 4: Attend the YMCA NC Youth Legislature from February. While there, you will lobby to legislators and present in committees.