In the work you and your organisation does it is important to identify people whose co-operation or influence you need to help you with your work. These are usually decision-makers or key role-players. So, you lobby people who have the power to take action to support the needs and interests of those who do not have direct power and influence. Lobbying can be used to influence anyone with power, for example:

• Parents can lobby the school governing body to provide after-care at school
• Civics can lobby the police commissioner to have more police on duty at night
• HIV/AIDS activists and support organisations can lobby the president to provide affordable treatment for people who are HIV positive
• Civics can lobby local councillors to pass a by-law that says everyone should be given access to electricity
• Organisations can lobby members of parliamentary standing committees, cabinet ministers and heads of government departments to influence them in policy and law-making

The two main categories of decision-makers and role-players that you can target are people who support your cause and people who oppose you.