Advocate's Toolbox

Making Personal Contact

One of the most effective ways to influence the decisions of a legislator is FACE TO FACE visits. Whether you plan to meet one-to-one or with a group plan the meeting and develop an agenda to cover all the points you wish to make. Pick just one or two issues to discuss. Ideally the first time meeting should be about an issue for which the legislator may be sympathetic – or at least open minded.

Here are some simple steps to follow:

• Make an Appointment. If you drop by without an appointment, you may wait, or you may force your legislator to postpone something else, thereby creating negative feelings before you begin.
• Always Introduce Yourself, even at a second or third meeting. Don’t put the legislator in the awkward position of having to grope for your name.
• Get Down to Business Quickly. Begin on a positive note. State the Bill title and sponsor, or state the issue, your position, and what you want your legislator to do.
• Thank Him/Her For Previous Support. Legislators like to know that you know of their record. If you don’t know the record thank him or her for taking the time to meet with you.
• Be Specific. Be clear and be simple. Provide information about how this issue impacts his/her constituency and people throughout the state. Use fact sheets, charts, statistics, etc.
• Use Personal Stories or Anecdotes. Remember, your job is to persuade…and a personal story will leave an image that the legislator will remember when he/she votes on the issue.
• Ask What You Can Do. Ask if you can provide further information, contact others, etc.
• Leave Written Material, such as a fact sheet and an appeal for support/opposition. Your legislator will file the materials and refer to them when questions come up later and/or when he/she votes on the issue.
• Thank Him/Her Again.