A lobbyist is a person who tries to influence legislation on behalf of a special interest. This is what I do four days a year. I’m not a professional lobbyist, and I don’t get paid for what I do. But I believe certain things need to be protected, and I try to convince members of Congress that it is important.

Things of interest to me include protecting land, endangered species, historical things, Native American sites and improved recreational opportunities.

When I am not lobbying, I work with at-risk kids, hike, climb mountains, map trails, seek out endangered species, work to keep the Santa Clara River clean, remove invasive species, and try my best to protect Native American habitation sites.

The term “lobbyist” was coined in the early 1800s by President Ulysses S. Grant. It seems Grant spent a good deal of time in the lobby of the Willard Hotel in D.C., where he was approached by droves of people touting their cause. He coined the name “lobbyist” to describe these people. I highly doubt most lobbyists nowadays have ever been to the Willard Hotel.

Today there are more than 10,000 registered, paid lobbyists in the U.S., and multiple firms that employ lobbyists who will lobby for anything for a buck. One of these firms will even place a call to your congressional member for $4.95 for you. That is $4.95 per single phone call.

People like me go to D.C. on our own dime to talk to the congressional members about what we believe in, and hope they, too, will do what is right and just, and in their wisdom pass bills that will be good for their districts and for the people in them.

To be a successful lobbyist, a person must have good communications skills, knowledge of the legislative process and the “idea” they are trying to push forward. Most lobbyists begin their careers by working in a legislator’s office to learn the ins and outs of the trade. A great deal of money is spent on lobbying, although gifts from the lobbyist to the congressional member are strictly prohibited.

Below is the 2014 Senate data from the office of Public Records indicating the top 10 industries and expenditures for lobbying:

1) Pharmaceuticals/Health Products – $65,420,126

2) Insurance – $40,008,093

3) Electric Utilities – $38,288,418

4) Computers/Internet – $35,597,059

5) Business Associations – $35,448,590

6) Oil & Gas – $33,880,219

7) TV/Movies/Music – $28,511,338

8) Securities & Investment – $26,670,959

9) Misc Manufacturing & Distributing – $23,650,110

10) Hospitals/Nursing Homes – $21,985,808

The writer (right) with Linda Castro and SCV Historical Society President Alan Pollack on a recent D.C. trip.

Because lobbyists are known for being ruthless in D.C. and for being able to push legislation through for special interests that are highly controversial, lobbyists have a bad name. But it’s not always like that. Often lobbyists are volunteers who just wants to see that things are more equitable in their district, and often, they can point out things that need to be changed that the congressional member is not aware of.

Basically, a lobbyist can be any American. Recently a group of grammar school kids went to Sacramento to lobby for the California red-legged frog to become our state amphibian, because we didn’t have one. It looks like this legislation will soon pass. Those kids were lobbyists, too.

In order to be an effective lobbyist, it is important to research the subject, write a proposal, attend congressional hearings, educate members of Congress and perhaps volunteer lobbyists, advertise your position, and raise business and constituent support. In other words, you need to sell your idea. Once you have local support, you need to sell your idea to the state or federal-level government.

Lastly, if you are going to lobby for a cause, make sure your idea has broad appeal. Developing sensitivity to your district politicians and their ideas will be most helpful. Research them and get an idea of what they believe in. You cannot ram something down the throat of a politician who has completely opposite views from you.

“Compromise” is another word you will need to become familiar with. This is not something that is in the vocabulary of most politicians these days, but it is something that will help you on the ground.

Be sensitive, be aware, kind, generous and understanding. And don’t give up. If your cause is right and just with broad constituent appeal, eventually it will happen. Have faith in the system, and eventually you will be victorious.

Dianne Erskine-Hellrigel is executive director of the Community Hiking Club and president of the Santa Clara River Watershed Conservancy. If you’d like to be part of the solution, join the Community Hiking Club’s Stewardship Committee. Contact Dianne through communityhikingclub.org or at zuliebear@aol.com.