| How to Lobby a Legislator
Few people make an effort to meet with their elected officials
face-to-face to discuss issues that are important to them. So few
people, in fact, that this is one of the single most effective ways
you can influence your government. Meeting with your representatives
helps put a face on AIDS, replacing statistics with real people.
These meetings are also a place where dialogue can happen, information
can be shared, and minds can be changed.
Before the Meeting
- Schedule and confirm all legislative appointments ahead of time:
send a letter requesting an appointment, include the names of
who will attend, and the issues you want to discuss. Then follow
up with a phone call to the office scheduler.
- Research your legislator — know his or her history. Before you
arrive, know his or her position on issues related to the one(s)
you plan to discuss, and try to get his or her voting record on
pertinent bills.
- If possible, bring local data to support your arguments — data
relevant to the legislator's district and key constituencies.
- Dress appropriately. A legislator will do more for you if he
or she feels that you respect their position. If possible, wear
a suit and tie or a conservative dress. If not, avoid wearing
a tee shirt and jeans.
- Arrive at the meeting at least ten minutes early, so that you
can review what will happen during the meeting.
During the Meeting
- Be aware of the time the legislator has to spend. Do not take
up more time than allotted.
- Be prepared to meet with a legislative aide rather than the
elected official. This is not a bad thing. Often, aides know more
about the issues than the representative does, and can prove to
be an important ally in the future. If you do meet with an aide,
be sure to get his or her name, areas of responsibility, and business
card.
- Focus on the key issues. Don't arrive with a grocery list. When
you have discussed the issues you want to discuss, give someone
else the chance to speak.
- Introduce yourself as a constituent, and personalize your involvement
with the issue.
- Try to draw out specific answers to specific questions. Politicians
tend to speak in generalities, avoid the issues, or go off on
tangents.
- Listen carefully to what the legislator has to tell you, even
if you disagree. He or she will often let you know the types of
information that might change his or her mind.
- Be respectful at all times. Don't get angry or yell.
- Refrain from making fun of or commenting negatively about other
legislators. Relationships can be very complex between elected
officials.
- Leave on good terms, even if the meeting was not fruitful. Thank
the legislator and/or aide for taking the time to meet with you.
After the Meeting
- Ask the receptionist for a copy of the legislator's newsletter,
if you don't already receive it. Ask to be place on the mailing
list for future mailings. Newsletters contain a wealth of information
about the elected official — voting records, priorities, legislative
aides, etc.
- Immediately after the meeting, make notes on what was discussed
and what your legislator agreed to do.
- Follow up the meeting with a thank-you letter that summarizes
your understanding of what your legislator has agreed to do. Remind
him or her that you are available as a resource. Always send separate
letters to any staff member(s) you met, and make it a point to
keep in contact with them.
© 2003 Gay Men's Health Crisis
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