Advocacy Policy
Positions on Legislation, Policy & Advocacy:
1. At the beginning of each calendar year, the NAMC Core Leadership will recommend a legislative, policy and advocacy platform to be adopted by the full NAMC membership. This platform will be based on nonprofit related and/or other policy and program issues on which the full NAMC membership has consensus.
a. When the NAMC Core Leadership identifies newly introduced bills, policies or advocacy issues that fall within NAMC's platform, these will be brought to the attention of NAMC Core Leadership at the next regularly scheduled meeting or via email. The NAMC Core Leadership may recommend a course of action and implement it upon the requisite approval of the full NAMC membership (e.g. in-person vote or email response for approval to send a position letter to the author and appropriate committee chairs). A simple majority of the membership is required to proceed with an official recommendation from NAMC.
b. Any NAMC member who is concerned about a position taken on that falls within the purview of the platform may request that the NAMC Core Leadership reevaluate it.
c. If a bill, policy or advocacy issue is substantially amended, the NAMC Core Leadership will review to determine if it is still within the purview of the platform. If not, the issue will go back to the NAMC Core Leadership for deliberation and recommendation to the full NAMC membership.
2. The NAMC Core Leadership may analyze other legislation, policies or advocacy issues that do not fall within the purview of the platform and make recommendations on positions to the full NAMC membership. When analyzing, the NAMC Core Leadership will consult with members in their areas of expertise. The NAMC Core Leadership will recommend positions that are consistent with what they perceive to be the NAMC membership's consensus on the issue. Regarding legislative bills, any NAMC Core Leadership member can choose to become a monitor of a bill. The bill monitor reviews each version of the bill and provides recommendations for amendments and a position on the bill. In some cases, the bill monitor may testify at legislative hearings.
3. The NAMC Core Leadership recommends positions on all other bills, public or private policies, or advocacy issue by consensus. Those positions are:
Support
Support if Amended
Oppose
Oppose unless Amended
Watch (neutral)
4. These recommended positions will be communicated to the full NAMC membership at the next regularly scheduled meeting or via email, and upon the requisite approval, the NAMC Core Leadership will send position letters to legislators or policy makers.
5. NAMC members are responsible for reviewing recommended positions and notifying the NAMC Core Leadership of any concerns about the positions.
6. The full NAMC membership will approve by simple majority vote to adopt a general legislative, policy or advocacy platform. A quorum is needed to take the vote forward. Upon a quorum vote, a simple majority rules. This action can be at a regularly scheduled meeting or via email, depending on timeliness. All actions will be recorded.
7. The full NAMC membership has the following basic 3-level guide regarding involvement, actions and/or approaches concerning particular issues of legislation, policy or advocacy:
Level 1 - Encourage membership and other nonprofits to write a simple letter of support, endorsement, etc.
Level 2 - NAMC, as an organization calls, writes letter, contacts media on a particular issue.
Level 3 - Take an even more active lead in coordinating responses among our membership, as well as, allies in the community, including organizing campaign.
Conference 2007
Purpose
The primary purpose of the Nonprofit Alliance of Monterey County (NAMC) Advocacy Operating Policies and Procedures is to provide guidance in reviewing and making recommendations to the NAMC membership regarding current, local, state or federal, public or private policy, advocacy and legislative issues as they relate to the NAMC's mission. Its secondary purpose is to help plan and direct the organization's community education and public relations activities.
Requests for Support or Endorsements
The full NAMC membership does not endorse individuals for employment or public office. Letters of endorsement for legislative bills, policy or advocacy will follow the guidelines above.
The NAMC Core Leadership may provide letters of support for funding at their discretion to NAMC members. Letters of support requested for those pursuing the same funding source will be standardized and unbiased.
For non-NAMC members and other groups, all requests for letters of support in pursuit of funding will be routed through the NAMC Core Leadership for review and approval. The NAMC Core Leadership may as appropriate seek guidance and approval from the full NAMC membership.
Media
To maintain the consistency and accuracy in public information, only designated NAMC Core Leadership members are the spokespersons for NAMC. No NAMC member will represent himself/herself as the spokesperson for NAMC unless assigned by the NAMC Core Leadership.
Designated NAMC Core Leadership members can respond to press and media inquiries on behalf of NAMC in accordance with the guidelines stated in this page.
