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Working with state and federal legislators often requires special attention to details and protocol. These policy makers are bombarded everyday with demands, requests, and “friendly” suggestions. With so much information coming at them from so many different viewpoints, it is often difficult for them to focus specifically on the issues of concern to you. Here are some helpful suggestions to increase your visibility and make the most of your contact with state and federal elected officials.
- Know the subject you are going to address. Don’t overload with issues—stick to no more than two or three.
- Decide what you would like to get out of the visit, i.e., a commitment to vote for your issue, leadership on the issue, or a simple, informative discussion.
- Allow time for small talk at the outset, but not too much. Remember, it’s your visit.
- If it is a group visit, decide who will start the discussion and put your agenda on the table.
- Much of lobbying is listening, looking for indications of the elected official’s views, and finding opportunities to provide good information.
- If you are meeting with a “silent type,” draw him or her out by asking questions.
- If you are confronted with a “long-winded type,” look for openings to bring him or her back to the point.
- Many elected officials are generalists, like most of us. Do your homework, but don’t feel that you need to know every little detail of an issue. Air personal feelings and experiences where appropriate. Relate the concerns of your friends and members of the community.
- Know when to admit, “I don’t know,” and offer to follow up with the information.
- Be open to counter-arguments, but don’t get stuck on them; don’t be argumentative or confrontational.
- Try to get closure on your issue. If you and the legislator are in agreement, express your thanks and leave. If you reach an impasse, thank him or her, even if disappointed. Leave room to continue the discussion at another time.
- If the elected official keeps a commitment on an issue in which you’ve been involved or has supported your position in the past, be sure to acknowledge your appreciation during the course of the visit.
- If the opposite is true, think of the phrase, “No permanent friends, no permanent enemies.” Some day, on some issue of importance to you, he or she may come through. In the meantime, your visit may prevent the official from being an active opponent. In other words, you may help to turn down the heat on the other side.
- Be sure to send a thank-you note after the visit. If commitments were made in the meeting, repeat your understanding of them. If staff members were present, write to them, too. They can often be important allies.
Adapted with permission from the Connecticut Association of Nonprofits Advocacy/Lobbying Toolkit, available at
www.ctnonprofits.org/pages/NonprofitResources/Advocacy_Lobbying_Toolkit.asp
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