Personal visits are a highly effective way to help legislators understand your position on an issue. Legislators welcome visits from constituents. They want you to be involved. However, they are busy people, so time is extremely valuable. Plan ahead and use the time well.
Lists of members' names, offices, addresses and telephone numbers are available
If you make an appointment when the Legislature is in session, remember that there is no guarantee that the legislator will be able to keep it. Legislative schedules change at a moment's notice. Don't take it personally; that's just how it is.
Before the Meeting:
- Make an appointment in advance, and expect to get about 15 minutes.
- Make it easy for your legislator to meet with you. Offer several possibilities and do your best to accommodate them.
- Prepare a good fact sheet
- Try to learn in advance where you legislator stands on your issue (many have their own websites for just this purpose.)
- Be prepared to explain how the bill will affect you and other voters in their district.
- Dress appropriately for an appointment; normal business attire is appropriate.
During the Meeting:
- Be on time (parking at the Capitol can be challenging, so start early)
- Be prepared, be polite, be brief
- Start with your 90-second speech
- Give the legislator your fact sheet.
- Be firm but friendly. Don't be afraid to ask for a commitment to support your bill.
- Attack the issue, not the person. Remember, you may be asking for her/his support on a completely different issue in the future.
- Don't disparage government or politics.
- Don't use jargon, technical terms or acronyms.
- Don't underestimate public officials. With very rare exceptions, they are honest, intelligent and want to do the right thing.
- If you don't know the answer to a question, say you will find the answer and get back with them.
- Be realistic. Remember that controversial legislation and regulations usually result in a compromise. It has always been so, and will always be so in a democracy.
- Before leaving, ask how you can be of help to them (Get more information? Talk to others?)
- Thank them for their time, even if they will not support your cause.
After the Meeting:
Follow up with a thank you note and any information that was requested.
Adapted from Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy, Four Practical Tools: Advocacy Toolkit
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4200 Perimeter Center, Suite 235, Oklahoma City OK 73112