Lobbying Services

Resource Management Group provides through its network lobbying services for genuine interests of its clients within the parameters of law and justice.

Lobbying is a concerted effort designed to effect influence, typically over government authorities and elected officials. It can consist of the outreach of legislative members, public actions (e.g. mass demonstrations), or combinations of both public and private actions (e.g. encouraging constituents to contact their legislative representatives). As a professional occupation it is also known as "government affairs" or "public affairs". Practitioners may work in specialist organizations or as part of government relations or as public relations consultancies.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lobbyist

Lobbying is the practice of trying to persuade legislators to propose, pass, or defeat legislation or to change existing laws. A lobbyist may work for a group, organization, or industry, and presents information on legislative proposals to support his or her clients' interests.

Client: Any person or entity that employs or retains another person for financial or other compensation to conduct lobbying activities on behalf of the person or entity. An organization employing its own lobbyists is considered its own client for reporting purposes.

Lobbyist: Any individual who (1) is either employed or retained by a client for financial or other compensation (2) for services that include more than one lobbying contact; and (3) whose "lobbying activities" constitute 20 percent or more of his or her services on behalf of that client during any six-month period.

Lobbying Firm: A person or entity consisting of one or more individuals who meet the definition of a lobbyist with respect to a client other than that person or entity. The definition includes a self-employed lobbyist.

Sources:  United States Senate

                http://www.senate.gov/reference/reference_index_subjects/Lobbying_vrd.htm

                http://www.senate.gov/legislative/common/briefing/lobby_disc_briefing.htm

 Code of Ethics

The ALL Code of Ethics is utilized as a model by various organizations and serves to strengthen our image and enhance our role as a vital and respected link in the democratic process.

Lobbying is an integral part of our nation's democratic process and is a constitutionally guaranteed right. Government officials are continuously making public policy decisions that affect the vital interests of individuals, corporations, labor organizations, religious groups, charitable institutions and other entities. Public officials need to receive factual information from affected interests and to know such parties' views in order to make informed policy judgments. In exercising their rights to try to influence public policy, interests often choose to employ professional representatives to monitor developments and advocate their positions, or to use lobbyists through their membership in trade associations and other membership organizations. Tens of thousands of men and women now are professional lobbyists and represent virtually every type of interest.

To help preserve and advance public trust and confidence in our democratic institutions and the public policy advocacy process, professional lobbyists have a strong obligation to act always in the highest ethical and moral manner in their dealings with all parties. Lobbyists also have a duty to advance public understanding of the lobbying profession. The American League of Lobbyists ("ALL"), accordingly, has adopted the following "Code of Lobbying Ethics" to provide basic guidelines and standards for lobbyists' conduct. In general, this Code is intended to apply to independent lobbyists who are retained to represent third party clients' interests and to lobbyists employed on the staff of corporations, labor organizations, associations and other entities where their employer is in effect their "client." Lobbyists are strongly urged to comply with this Code and to seek always to practice the highest ethical conduct in their lobbying endeavors. Individual members of American League of Lobbyists affirm their commitment to abide by this code.

ARTICLE I - HONESTY & INTEGRITY

A lobbyist should conduct lobbying activities with honesty and integrity.

ARTICLE II - COMPLIANCE WITH APPLICABLE LAWS, REGULATIONS & RULES

A lobbyist should seek to comply fully with all laws, regulations and rules applicable to the lobbyist.

ARTICLE III - PROFESSIONALISM

A lobbyist should conduct lobbying activities in a fair and professional manner.

ARTICLE IV - CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

A lobbyist should not continue or undertake representations that may create conflicts of interest without the informed consent of the client or potential client involved.

ARTICLE V - DUE DILIGENCE & BEST EFFORTS

A lobbyist should vigorously and diligently advance and advocate the client's or employer's interests.

ARTICLE VI - COMPENSATION AND ENGAGEMENT TERMS

An independent lobbyist who is retained by a client should have a written agreement with the client regarding the terms and conditions for the lobbyist's services, including the amount of and basis for compensation.

ARTICLE VII - CONFIDENTIALITY

A lobbyist should maintain appropriate confidentiality of client or employer information.

ARTICLE VIII - PUBLIC EDUCATION

A lobbyist should seek to ensure better public understanding and appreciation of the nature, legitimacy and necessity of lobbying in our democratic governmental process. This includes the First Amendment right to "petition the government for redress of grievances."

ARTICLE IX - DUTY TO GOVERNMENTAL INSTITUTIONS

In addition to fulfilling duties and responsibilities to the client or employer, a lobbyist should exhibit proper respect for the governmental institutions before which the lobbyist represents and advocates clients' interests.

Source:  American League of Lobbyists

              http://www.alldc.org/ethicscode.cfm