Advocating through City Council
Lesson Objectives
Learners will understand the general process of advocating at their city council
1.
Learners will be able to strategize around city council advocacy
2.
Learners will be able to effectively meet with council members
3.
Scope of Lesson
"Planning a Campaign" lesson
This lesson is for advocates and organizers who have identified their city council as a pathway for achieving specific change. Based on our general knowledge of city councils in Texas, we'll provide some broad information to help you prepare, know what to expect, and be effective. Because of the differences between cities, you should supplement this information with locally specific knowledge by working with people and organizations with experience at your city council.
"Executing a Campaign" lesson
What are you trying to achieve? Make sure your goal falls under the scope of your city council.
Go in with a plan
Build Your Strategy
Know your approach
How does change occur within your city government? Some issues can resolved at the bureaucratic level by approaching lower-level city employees who oversee the topic Or some change can come from the top, by going directly to the mayor or city manager
Research your city council
How does it work?
Process
Meeting details
How do items get on the agenda? How do motions and seconds work? You need to know all these little details.
Figure out where and when meetings are held, and what types of meetings your city council holds
Geography
Election cycles
Does your issue mainly affect one district? Can it be expanded to the whole city?
City council members are politicians and will act differently if up for reelection soon
Know Your Allies and Opponents
You should have done this generally for your issue, but make sure to evaluate every city council member
Not only do you need to identify who your allies on council are, you need to gauge their strength and commitment. Who will be your champion, and who will simply vote "yes"? Count your votes -- don't ever assume a "yes", make sure to ask every council member directly. Don't rest if you have a one-vote majority; getting more than you need takes power away from that swing vote
Get ready before you meet
Practical Preparations
Talk this out ahead of time:
Know your group's roles
- Pick a chair among your group: someone to keep the meeting moving and on track
- Hit every point
- Nobody talks too much
- Everyone gets a role
- Different speaker for different points
- Everyone's engaged and exhibiting a well-informed team
Always learn
Evaluate and adapt
After every meeting with a target, evaluate with your group. What went well? What didn't? Constructive criticism for everyone based on their roles. Leaders in group should step in after a bad meeting and celebrate what you can.
Effectively pushing for support
Meeting with Council Members
Individual meetings
Meet with every council member you can -- these meetings are likely to be much more important than the public meeting
Except for members who have been outright hostile to you, don't assume anyone can't be convinced. Start with your allies, build your confidence, and talk to everybody. In these meetings, use what you know about the council members. Most importantly, talk about your personal experiences -- honest stories about how your issue affects the members of your group are typically the most persuasive tool you have.
Plan for public comment
Show up at every stage
Coordinate with your group to share your personal stories
Keep an eye on things even before the vote comes up
Public Meetings
Hopefully, the city council vote on your issue will be a formality and celebration, but you should still be prepared to make your case.
Anticipate opposition
Get bigger each time
Your opponents might try to fight the vote, so be ready to fight back
Show your strength and keep momentum building
Thank you!
Advocating Through City Council
Houser Staff
Created on April 8, 2025
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Transcript
Advocating through City Council
Lesson Objectives
Learners will understand the general process of advocating at their city council
1.
Learners will be able to strategize around city council advocacy
2.
Learners will be able to effectively meet with council members
3.
Scope of Lesson
"Planning a Campaign" lesson
This lesson is for advocates and organizers who have identified their city council as a pathway for achieving specific change. Based on our general knowledge of city councils in Texas, we'll provide some broad information to help you prepare, know what to expect, and be effective. Because of the differences between cities, you should supplement this information with locally specific knowledge by working with people and organizations with experience at your city council.
"Executing a Campaign" lesson
What are you trying to achieve? Make sure your goal falls under the scope of your city council.
Go in with a plan
Build Your Strategy
Know your approach
How does change occur within your city government? Some issues can resolved at the bureaucratic level by approaching lower-level city employees who oversee the topic Or some change can come from the top, by going directly to the mayor or city manager
Research your city council
How does it work?
Process
Meeting details
How do items get on the agenda? How do motions and seconds work? You need to know all these little details.
Figure out where and when meetings are held, and what types of meetings your city council holds
Geography
Election cycles
Does your issue mainly affect one district? Can it be expanded to the whole city?
City council members are politicians and will act differently if up for reelection soon
Know Your Allies and Opponents
You should have done this generally for your issue, but make sure to evaluate every city council member
Not only do you need to identify who your allies on council are, you need to gauge their strength and commitment. Who will be your champion, and who will simply vote "yes"? Count your votes -- don't ever assume a "yes", make sure to ask every council member directly. Don't rest if you have a one-vote majority; getting more than you need takes power away from that swing vote
Get ready before you meet
Practical Preparations
Talk this out ahead of time:
Know your group's roles
Always learn
Evaluate and adapt
After every meeting with a target, evaluate with your group. What went well? What didn't? Constructive criticism for everyone based on their roles. Leaders in group should step in after a bad meeting and celebrate what you can.
Effectively pushing for support
Meeting with Council Members
Individual meetings
Meet with every council member you can -- these meetings are likely to be much more important than the public meeting
Except for members who have been outright hostile to you, don't assume anyone can't be convinced. Start with your allies, build your confidence, and talk to everybody. In these meetings, use what you know about the council members. Most importantly, talk about your personal experiences -- honest stories about how your issue affects the members of your group are typically the most persuasive tool you have.
Plan for public comment
Show up at every stage
Coordinate with your group to share your personal stories
Keep an eye on things even before the vote comes up
Public Meetings
Hopefully, the city council vote on your issue will be a formality and celebration, but you should still be prepared to make your case.
Anticipate opposition
Get bigger each time
Your opponents might try to fight the vote, so be ready to fight back
Show your strength and keep momentum building
Thank you!