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General Principles
1. Become an expert on your issue.
2. Start early.
3. Build coalitions.
4. Be prepared to compromise.
5. Be supportive and non-confrontational.
6. Help at election time.
7. Thank your legislator.
General Do’s and Don’ts
1. Do know the facts about your issue/bill.
2. Do stick to the point; be concise.
3. Do use bill title/number when appropriate.
4. Do “localize” your request.
5. Do meet with legislators before, during and after the legislative
session.
6. Don’t threaten.
7. Don’t beg.
Specifics
A. At home
1. Choose a convenient time for a meeting.
2. Contact the legislator before the General Assembly convenes.
3. Arrange for a small group, representative of your organization, to meet
informally with the legislator to discuss your interests and concerns.
4. Keep your membership informed of these meetings.
5. Invite your legislator to have lunch or dinner with the officers of your
organizations.
6. Continue contacts with legislator.
7. Identify members who know legislator personally and involve them.
8. Maintain a file on each legislator.
B. At the Capitol
1. Make and appointment.
2. Be brief (15 minutes at the most, unless legislator is committed to
having lunch with you).
3. Limit group meeting to five (5). If group is bigger, select a
spokesperson and a recorder.
4. Pair experienced person with inexperienced person.
5. Know our subject and be prepared for questions.
6. Be firm, but courteous.
7. Explain exactly what you want from your legislator.
8. Thank your legislator for his/her time and follow-up with a note when you
return home.
C. On Paper
1. Be brief.
2. Limit your letter to only one or two issues.
3. Ask for specific assistance.
4. Spell correctly (check names).
5. Include your phone number in your letter.
6. Use organizational stationery if you are writing on behalf of the
organization (mention the number of people you represent).
7. Send your letter at the appropriate time.
8. Type your letters; handwriting is second choice.
9. Do not use form letters, petitions, or telegrams.
D. By phone
1. Call at a reasonable hour.
2. Call legislators at home to set up meetings prior to legislative session
or on weekends during legislative session to express your views.
3. Call legislators at their offices when the General Assembly is in
session. (Consult you “white” book).
4. Be concise.
E. Through the Media
1. Establish media contacts before the legislative session; use them during
and after the session.
2. Deliver in person press releases to your local media.
3. Send a letter to your local editor suggesting a feature article on an
issue of concern (or an aspect of that issue).
4. Send letters to the editor.
5. Submit guest editorials to local radio and tv stations.
6. Arrange for spokespersons for organization to appear on radio and tv
stations.
7. Use flyers and posters to publicize your concerns.
F. Know your legislator
1. Determine his/her age, marital and family status, religion, personal
interests, etc.
2. Ascertain professional status (i.e., occupation, business interests).
3. Learn his/her legislative profile (length of tenure in the General
Assembly, political ambitions, etc.)
4. Determine political profile (e.g., liberal, conservative).
5. Define the nature of his/her legislative district (e.g., urban, rural,
income level).
6. Be aware of voting records.
Reprinted with permission from
Thomas A. Bauer
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“The only pure and consistent advocates for a child are his or her parents
or family members,” explains Betsy Primm, coordinator of Georgia Learning
Resource Services Metro-North branch. “That doesn’t mean that educators
don’t advocate every day for their students, but year in and year out, that
is a parent’s role.” |
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