For years, Pat Libby has been teaching everyday citizens how to pass laws. Most of them knew next to nothing about the legislative process when they got started, yet many surprised themselves by passing a law on their first try. The Empowered Citizens Guide provides an easy, 10-step framework that breaks down the legislative process into bite-sized pieces. For those who are passionate about creating change in their communities, cities, or states this book provides a simple recipe to make a difference. Libby provides an explanation of terms related to advocacy and lobbying as well as the legal rules for public charities that want to lobby. A detailed overview of the ten steps is illustrated by a real-life example of how a mother, whose son's addiction was fueled by over-the-counter drugs, fought alongside a few friends to pass a law that addressed a root of the problem. The Empowered Citizens Guide is the perfect text for those who want to create meaningful change.

About the Author
Pat Libby is one of the nation's leading experts on citizen lobbying campaigns. A long-time nonprofit leader and recovering academic, she is author of both The Lobbying Strategy Handbook, and Cases in Nonprofit Management. Pat has made it her mission to teach people how to create change through the legislative process. She is also the founder of the Nonprofit Institute at the University of San Diego.

Reviews
For the just curious about how a law gets passed or those itching to make it happen, this guide has all the answers. * Karen R. Koenig, New York Journal of Books *
Pat Libby offers an effective and easy-to-follow roadmap for everyone who wants to engage in our democracy -- a welcome guide for building people power to change the world! * Carol Rose, ACLU of Massachusetts *
The Empowered Citizens Guide takes the fear out of lobbying. So many (too many) people consider lobbying a dirty practice that only certain types of people can do. This book makes the concept real and doable. * Abby Levine, Alliance for Justice *
These are very practical and tangible steps-not esoteric sermons of high-minded values or calls to 'get involved.' It helps answer the question 'what do I do today to move this forward? * Joe Kriesberg, Massachusetts Association of Community Development Corporations *
The writing style is engaging, the approach is hands on and practical, and the text puts the reader in the moment where things are happening. The timing is impeccable. This book makes you feel that you can actually reach out and do this. * John McNutt, University of Delaware *
Pat Libby is well-known and regarded as an expert in this field. This book is excellent and achieves what it sets out to do: create a user-friendly guide for laypeople on how to engage in lobbying. * Shannon Williams, Alliance for Justice *
Crisp and concise. * Peter Rose, Sard Verbinnen & Co. *
The Empowered Citizens Guide does a fantastic job demystifying the political process and invites average citizens into policy making in a way that feels both-empowering and doable. * D'Arlyn Bell, University of Kansas/Cherokee Nation *
The 10-step process is logical, easy to follow, and can be a useful reference in visualizing and walking through key elements of a successful campaign. * Steven Eldred, The California Endowment *
This book is an easy-to-read, very accessible, practical guide to the lobbying process, particularly with state legislatures. It is easy to imagine it being used as a supporting text in classes on advocacy or public policy. * Katharine Hill, Journal of Nonprofit Education and Leadership *



Book Information
ISBN 9780197601631
Author Pat Libby
Format Paperback
Page Count 192
Imprint Oxford University Press Inc
Publisher Oxford University Press Inc
Weight(grams) 204g
Dimensions(mm) 135mm * 196mm * 18mm