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As we enter into this year’s Lame Duck Session, the stakes are high. We need to flex our power as a network and ensure that elected officials are held accountable to our communities. This Lame Duck Session, we need our elected officials to #DeliverAndProtect.
During the week of December 12-16, we encourage member organizations to use this time to organize, educate, and take action. During this week there are a couple different ways that organizations can participate. Please use the following document as a resource and guide to join our collective efforts.
Actions
Talking Points for Lame Duck Sessions 2022: #DeliverAndProtect
Legislative Visits
As part of our efforts to demand a permanent residency visa program for TPS and DACA recipients, we have provided resources for your organization to schedule meetings with your elected officials.
Social Media Toolkit
During this week of action, use the following suggested messages on your social media channels to continue putting pressure on our elected officials using the hashtag: #DeliverAndProtect.
Press Relations
Here’s a brief 1-pager guide on general best practices for conducting media outreach and press relations.
1. Do media research about the top publications in your area. Which ones reach different types of audiences? (Aka, conservative, younger/online, Latinx/Hispanic populations, women, etc). Which of these audiences is important for you to reach? You should prioritize media outreach with those publications.
Who are the national news reporters or immigration reporters for these publications? You can use Twitter and Google for these searches; MuckRack and Cision also offer these services although they are not free. Reach out to these local beat reporters by Twitter or email, introduce yourself and pitch them; Cision has a useful guide on best practices for doing this (available in English).
2. If you are contacted by a reporter for an interview, here are some general good practices to follow:
a. Research the reporter and the news organization for which they work, including their social media pages. Is it a neutral news source or does it have a liberal/conservative perspective? Is it an edgy and sensationalist outlet? You do not have to say “yes” to every media request.
b. You might consider asking the reporter the following questions: What’s the format of the interview (aka, is it a live video interview or pre-recorded)? When’s your deadline? If relevant, ask if you can provide any supplementary information (graphics, videos, photos, etc); this can help you expand your presence in the story.
3. If your organization already manages an email list of press/reporters, you can help cultivate that list and maintain them up-to-date by sending out press releases, statements, or media advisories. Here’s a basic run-down on the difference between those types of materials.
Press releases are usually immediate responses to developments in the news, or announcing a special initiative/campaign. They MUST have quotes from staff members, and if possible/relevant, include statistics that support your main messages and provide context. Press releases should not editorialize—they should report facts, not express opinions. Opinions should be expressed in quotes by staff members. If you write your press releases in a fact-based tone, and leave the opinions for your staff quotes, this increases the chances that a publication can simply republish your press release in full.
Statements should communicate your organization’s position on a specific advocacy area, aka, they are written in your organization’s voice. They should make a case for your stance, and finish with a call for action. Unlike press releases, they do not include quotes. Here is an example of a statement.
Media advisories let reporters know about a specific upcoming event, explaining as clearly as possible WHAT, WHO, WHERE and WHEN. They should establish the credibility of any speakers at the event, and generate curiosity. Keep these short as possible and make it easy to find the information. Here is an example of a media advisory.
