Fathers & Families has retained The Suffolk Group, a respected lobbying firm, since 1999. Since then, we have devoted approximately 17% of our budget to lobbying activities. Fathers & Families has six bills before the Massachusetts Legislature. Each bill is sponsored by a member of the legislative leadership.

In addition, we have submitted testimony to support or oppose dozens of bills filed by other parties. This is the first time a fatherhood organization has developed comprehensive surveillance of ALL bills affecting fathers and children in Massachusetts.

Most importantly, we have developed a positive reputation for credibility within key segments of the legislature. This has been accomplished with dozens of one-on-one meetings with legislators and carefully crafted testimony at legislative hearings.

Fathers & Families is establishing itself as the voice of fathers in the Massachusetts media. We have appeared on FOX's "The O'Reilly Factor," NECN's "News Night," WGBH's "Greater Boston" with Emily Rooney, "The Brudnoy Show," and numerous local news shows.

We have been featured in The Boston Globe, The Christian Science Monitor, other major Massachusetts print media, and local radio talk shows. We devote approximately 20% of our budget to public education.

This activity should commence in 2003, as increased funding becomes available. The Fathers' Legal Defense Fund will retain highly qualified attorneys to argue carefully selected cases in the higher courts.

Fathers & Families has compiled the best library in New England on the issues confronting divorced and unwed fathers and their children. This library has been a crucial resource in preparing legislation, position statements, and media appearances that are well informed, accurate, and credible. In the future, The Fatherhood Research Project will undertake targeted research projects to produce data supporting our positions. Thirteen percent of our budget goes to research.

A large membership is critical to political success. Fathers & Families is the only fatherhood organization in America to utilize professionally-advised direct marketing, telemarketing, and paid broadcast media. Fathers & Families has launched a major marketing effort with the goal of increasing our supporters from 1,800 to 3,000 by the end of 2003. Seventeen percent of our budget is devoted to this activity.