Guide to Legislative Visits
What to do Before the Visit
Before meeting with a legislator or staff member, you should prepare some briefing documents, which will help the legislator remember your position and program as well as help you stay focused when talking to the legislator. Some materials you should include are (clicking on the links below provide you with real materials CCTPG has used):
- Organizational background;
- Priorities;
- Positions; and
- Additional background materials that will help support your position, such as news articles, research reports, and data.
A good place to find additional materials is The Childrens Partnership's TechPolicyBank Web site. To learn how to set up an appointment, click here to view a script CCTPG used to help members set up appointments with their legislator.
What to Say During Your Visit
Remember that a Legislator meets with hundreds of groups and may not be familiar with your issue or bill. They may not know about the organization that you represent. So, when visiting:
- Introduce yourself and say who you represent. Give him or her a card if you have one.
- Briefly describe what your organization does and how it serves your community.
- Discuss any current legislation that is before the legislature, how it would affect your program/constituents and your position on it.
- Always give him or her a paper with your position on it.
- Ask him or her: "Can we count on your support/no vote on this bill?" If the Legislator doesn't tell you yes or no, ask him or her to get back to you. Some legislators may need to know both sides of the issue before committing to a position. Please record responses.
- If the Legislator supports these bill(s), always express thanks. Leave the Legislative Briefing Packet, which includes additional materials that help build your case, with the Legislator.
- Find a way to engage him or her in further discussion by inviting your Legislator to visit your group in their district. Try to make your issue a district issue for the Legislator.
- Follow up with a thank you letter and any additional information.
How to Conduct Yourself
It's not only what you say, but also how you present yourself. The following suggestions may be common sense, but many people violate these basic principles:
- Be on time for your appointment and stay within your designated time frame.
- Use appropriate titles, such as senator or assemblyperson, unless otherwise directed by the legislator.
- Always be polite and allow the Legislator to speak. Listening to what the Legislator has to say will help you understand his/her viewpoint, which will help you frame the discussion and response.
- Avoid arguments. If the person disagrees, find out why and determine what can be done to remove his/her opposition. Don't use threats or remind legislators that you are a taxpayer/voter in their district-they've heard it many times.
- Legislators may need to learn more about the issue before they can support the bill. As a result, follow-up with more information.
- Be honest. Despite any stereotypes or perceptions you may have about people in politics, truth is sacrosanct in the Capitol. If you do not know the answer, say so, but say that you'll get back to him or her with the answer. Any distortion or half-truths will discredit you, even if you have only once stretched the truth.
- Be respectful. Don't even hint that you think certain bills, campaigns or politics in general are not worthwhile or may be dishonest. Legislators love what they do and consider denigrations to their profession an affront.