Advocacy 101: Dos and Don’ts

Yes, you can lobby! Let's take the mystery out of how to tell your story to those with the power to change the landscape. You're doing the work in your community and understand the challenges, now how do you take that message forward? Hear from Vince Marrone, founder of Public Strategies, LLC, on how to successfully navigate an often-confusing state and federal legislative structure and make your voice heard. Vince will review the legal requirements for lobbying, and NYCON CEO Megan Allen will review current coalition efforts at the state and federal level that would benefit from nonprofits’ participation.

Presenter:

Vincent Marrone, Founder, Public Strategies, LLC

Vincent Marrone has worked in public policy, politics, community organizing and advocacy since 1986. Mr. Marrone was a Senior Legislative Assistant to the New York State Assembly Committee on Health for six years. His responsibilities included HIV/AIDS, substance use, legal drugs, tobacco and life and law issues. From 1993 through 1995, he was the Director of Government Relations and Strategic Planning for the AIDS Institute of the New York State Department of Health. At the Institute, he directed education and advocacy around AIDS policy and funding issues in Washington, D.C. and Albany. From 1996-1998, Mr. Marrone was the Director of Public Policy for the Lindesmith Center, a drug policy think tank at George Soros’s Open Society Institute. He also worked for the Research and Policy Reform Center, Inc. (RPR), a 501(c)(4) established by Mr. Soros to advocate on public policy issues. At RPR, Mr. Marrone worked with advocates, lobbyists and elected officials on matters pending in New York, Connecticut, New Jersey, Washington, D.C. and other locations around the country. From 1998-2000, Mr. Marrone was Director of Government Relations at The After-School Corporation, a public foundation supported by the Open Society Institute to expand the quantity and quality of after-school programs in New York State. In 2001, Mr.

Marrone founded Public Strategies, LLC, which serves a variety of non-profit, foundation, and corporate clients with services that include strategic planning, government relations, lobbying, media relations and advocacy skills building. Mr. Marrone is a graduate of Cornell University, and grew up in Syracuse, New York. He now resides in Cross River, New York, with his wife and son.