The following glossary is designed to clarify the terminology used within this site, and generally in the grassroots advocacy/public policy arena. These are not dictionary definitions; they are simple explanations of common usage within the context of politics and advocacy.

accountability mechanism

A method (form) for making sure participants do their tasks

appointed officials

Public officials who are not elected but conduct public service

coalition

Combination of individuals or groups to increase their power

committees of jurisdiction

Legislative issues in legislatures are assigned to a committee which specializes in handling that issue

conference committee

Congressional committee consisting of House and Senate committees of jurisdiction with responsibility to reach a compromise

confidentiality agreement

A written document, signed by all parties, to protect against disclosure of sensitive information

Congressional committee

A defined group of Congress Members to handle legislation

constituents

Individuals living within an elected official's district or state

contact delivery capacity

Ability of a person to persuade an elected or appointed official to support an issue or action

data processing review

Process to review data collection, handling and dissemination

debate

Formal discussion of legislative issues in a legislative body

Executive Branch agencies

Institutions that report to the President, Governor or Mayor

feedback forms

Documents to register and transmit information to databanks

financial sources

Individuals and groups with eligible and acceptable contributions

foot soldiers

People who volunteer to work in the grassroots effort

geographical reach

The area in which an individual or group has potential influence

grassroots

Local areas where individuals live (and vote) and groups operate

group task force

Unit formed to carry out an assignment for the grassroots entity

Idea Exchange

Area in the GATE website devoted to information exchanges

Key Contact Constituency Group

The most powerful grassroots message/action tool

KCCG

Acronym for the Key Contact Constituency Group

legislators

Officials elected, at all levels, to pass legislation for laws

legislative bodies

Groups of elected officials, typically called the Senate and the House, where legislation is debated and voted upon

legislative contacts

Individuals within legislatures who are contacted by constituents for discussions of legislation and public policy-making

legislative district

Geographic area, which contains the legislator's constituents

legislative recess

Time period when legislators return home to their District

mark-up

Process by which legislators and their staff change proposed legislation to increase Member support and the chance for passage

materials package

Brief printed materials, which are given to legislators and staff

mass media

Print and electronic coverage and analysis of legislative activity for distribution to any interested party

media outlets

Organizations, which generate and/or transmit legislative analysis

mission statement

Statement of purpose for the grassroots organization issuing it

monitoring mechanisms

Observation procedures to guarantee the maintenance of quality

network

Organization established to conduct grassroots activities

network construction process

Process by which a grassroots network is designed and built

organization diagram

Graphic picture of the individuals in the grassroots organization and the names, titles, etc... of those to whom they report

participant team

Individuals in the grassroots organization with specific tasks

private-sector interest group

Company, association, etc..., with a defined set of group interests

professional association

Doctors, teachers, etc., with a defined set of group interests

profile information

Information listing and describing the background and contacts of members of the grassroots organization

program graphics

Distinctive designs, logos, etc., which distinguish the grassroots organization to raise its identity

public affairs coordinators

Volunteer or professional staff to handle external communication

public-interest group

Non-profit groups with a defined set of interests

quarterly update newsletter

Brief document to share information and build team support

re-align

Rearrange the organization and, often, its support

recruitment procedure

Specific, systematic methods to increase grassroots membership

right to representation

Right of citizen/constituents to have an elected representative

rollout

Process by which information is systematically distributed

staff

Non-elected, appointed individuals who serve voters without pay and elected representatives for compensation

sub-committee

Separate, specialized committee in a full legislative committee

talking points

Brief list of ideas used as an outline for comments in a meeting

trade association

Group of individuals or companies with a defined set of interests

training module

Set of principles, methods and materials to accompany a seminar for training individuals to conduct grassroots activities

unlikes

Combining groups with differences when sharing a grassroots goal

vendor

A person, group or company, which provides something to another

veto

Action taken by a public sector, elected chief executive to block legislation or action by an elected legislative body