30 THES AU DU BO NDT BU bein 
One Man's Viewpoint: 
‘HOW TO BE A CONSERVATION LOBBYIST’ — 
TOP-RATED WORKSHOP OF 1971 
by RAYMOND MOSTEK 
Past President, Illinois Audubon Society 
The Illincis Planning and Conservation League sponsored one of the more 
significant conservation sessions of 1971 in a late fall meeting in the House 
Inn, Springfield. 
The Workshop was called “How To Be a Conservation Lobbyist.” 
As a new member of the board of IPCL, I was not only delighted to 
attend, but was greatly pleased at the turn-out of 125 registrants. Most of 
them were young in age and apparently new to the environmental move- 
ment. Some of the leaders and directors of the old-line conservation organ- 
izations would have profited to have been there. 
State Rep. Robert Mann of Chicago’s Hyde Park, and a sponsor of 
HB 2532, “The Lake Michigan Bill of Rights,” led off the assembly of 
speakers. He described the need for political action by citizens and voter 
groups. Mann declared that thcugh political activity may be rough—and 
calls for much sacrifice and effort by a citizen—‘“it is the only game in 
town.” 
What Mann was trying to tell us was that unless citizens and con- 
servationists are well informed about legislation, unless we can move our 
legislators to vote for or against certain bills, and unless we can demon- 
strate political power in the precincts and the districts, all the pious 
letters and speeches at Tuesday night meetings are meaningless. 
Mann offered these tips: Be polite to a legislator’s secretary. Have a 
logical brief on legislation for your representative or senator. Since you 
need political power of large numbers, increase your club membership. 
Don’t talk so much to ycurselves—organize coalitions. Because public 
servants expect to get phone calls at home, they also expect visits from 
voter delegations, which is helpful if they are armed with the facts. 
State Rep. Ted Meyer, the chief sponsor of the Scenic Rivers Bill 
(HB 2659), pointed out that in the absence of any solid opposition to a 
bill, a single letter can often be important in persuading him to vote “yes.” 
Speakers agreed that the delay on the passage of the Scenic Rivers 
Bill was tragic. Some opposition comes from the farm community which 
does not appear too well informed on the contents of the bills. Stronger 
opposition appears to emanate from the barge and gravel boys. 
Mrs. Helen Forman of the League of Women Voters urged the IPCL 
audience to be polite, but firm, when speaking to legislators. Let them 
know that you consider the legislation important and urgent. Publish 
their voting records and addresses. 
James Houlihan of the Committee on Illinois Government (127 N. 
Dearborn St., Chicago) gave several suggestions: Talk to the legislators 
