Iowa Cannabis Action Network, Inc. · Altoona, Iowa
I am volunteering to lobby on behalf of Iowa Cannabis Action Network, Inc. (“Iowa Cannabis Action”). I understand that I represent Iowa Cannabis Action only after the Board of Directors designates me, and only while that designation lasts. I agree to the following:
Our style. We're known for being calm, kind, and useful. We educate; we never pressure, lecture, or bully. We respect every legislator's and staff member's time — short visits, one clear ask, a one-page leave-behind. We work with Republicans, Democrats, and independents alike; Iowa Cannabis Action is nonpartisan. If a conversation gets heated, we thank them and step away.
- Board-approved positions only. I speak for Iowa Cannabis Action only on positions the Board has approved, using the talking points I am given. If I am asked about anything else, I say, “Let me get you our official word,” and bring the question back. When I share a personal opinion, I make clear it is my own.
- Training, registration, and reports. Iowa Cannabis Action requires every volunteer lobbyist to complete its lobbyist training and to be registered, even if Iowa law would not require registration for an unpaid volunteer. Before I lobby for Iowa Cannabis Action in any way, I will complete the training and register as a lobbyist under Iowa Code Chapter 68B, naming Iowa Cannabis Action as my client: as a legislative lobbyist before I lobby the Legislature, and as an executive branch lobbyist before I contact the Governor's office or any state agency. I will not lobby for Iowa Cannabis Action until I have completed the training and my registration is filed. I will renew it each year, file any change within 10 days, file every report required of me on time, and tell Iowa Cannabis Action when I have registered.
- Gift ban. I will not give legislators, legislative staff, or agency officials any gift, meal, drink, or other thing of value while lobbying for Iowa Cannabis Action, except as Iowa law expressly allows. When in doubt, I don't.
- Nonpartisan. I will not endorse, campaign for, oppose, or raise money for any candidate or party in Iowa Cannabis Action's name or while representing Iowa Cannabis Action.
- Volunteer, per diem only. I receive no pay for lobbying. Iowa Cannabis Action may pay me the per diem set by Board resolution for each day I lobby in person at the Capitol or a state agency. I will log each day (date, place, and purpose) and submit it through Iowa Cannabis Action's expense form. Any other expense needs approval in advance under the Financial Policies.
- No cannabis while representing Iowa Cannabis Action. I will not use, possess, sell, give away, or arrange cannabis, cannabis or hemp-derived THC products, or seeds while representing Iowa Cannabis Action. Iowa Cannabis Action is an education and advocacy organization and does not provide cannabis.
- Honesty. I will give accurate information, never misrepresent facts, my identity, or whom I represent, and promptly correct any mistake I make.
- Patient privacy. I will never share a patient's story, name, photo, or health details without their clear permission, and I will follow the Volunteer Handbook's rules for testimony stories.
- Conflicts of interest. I have disclosed, on Iowa Cannabis Action's Conflict of Interest Annual Disclosure, any cannabis or hemp industry ties and any other organizations I lobby for. I will update it promptly if anything changes, and I will not lobby for Iowa Cannabis Action on a matter where I have a conflict unless the Board approves.
- Reporting back. After each lobbying day, I will send Iowa Cannabis Action's legislative point of contact (currently the Founder) a short note: whom I met and what we discussed.
- Ending the arrangement. Either Iowa Cannabis Action or I may end this arrangement at any time. When it ends, I will stop representing Iowa Cannabis Action right away, update my lobbyist registration to remove Iowa Cannabis Action as a client, and return any Iowa Cannabis Action materials.