10/21/2021

Effective Advocacy

Top 10 Best Practices for Meeting with Lawmakers

The Ohio Statehouse can feel like an intimidating maze to navigate, but it doesn’t need to be. A reliable event professional who's been around the Statehouse for my entire career, I’ve scheduled and attended many meetings with legislators over the years.  Save yourself time and stress with 10  proven ways to successfully schedule and meet with lawmakers: 

1. Treat legislative staff with kindness and respect. Staffers make it all happen from getting your meeting on a legislator’s calendar to advising them which events to skip vs. attend. Don’t underestimate the importance of their time and attention—choose to be patient and courteous. 

2. Schedule your meeting on a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday. That’s when Ohio legislators are in session here in Columbus. If you're aiming to meet with your local legislator, request a meeting when they'll be in their district office instead of the statehouse for more focused attention. 

3. Do your research. Which legislators will be making decisions pertaining to your issue? Where will your policy be introduced in committee? Consider how members have voted on similar issues and be able to speak to why they should support your issue. Consider their unique district and the impact on their constituents as well.
   
   

4. Streamline and simplify your message. While legislators typically specialize in a select number of core industries important to their constituents, understand that they aren't experts on every policy issue. Your goal is to make it as easy as possible to care about and support your specific agenda.

5. Confirm the date, time, and location of your meeting. Avoid being late or showing up at the wrong place! Be sure to leave your mobile number in case of day-of schedule changes too.
   
   

6. Skip small talk. Keep your meetings brief and to the point. A legislator’s calendar is extraordinarily busy and you don't want your important message to get lost in the weeds.
   
   

7. Support your political position with data. Hard numbers, facts, and logic are equally as important as specific impact stories with a personal hook. It's all about proving your point. 

8. Provide a one-page “leave-behind” as a summary of your key points. Include your contact information so the legislator or their staff can follow up with any questions.
   
   

9. Send a follow-up thank you note with a personal message. Gratitude is powerful. 

10. Bring your ID to the meeting. You’ll be going through security and need to show your ID to the guards to receive a badge.

Looking for a seasoned guide to lead you and your association through the advocacy process? Sheila Fox is now accepting select new clients. Get started here. 

Contact Sheila 

(614) 547-2160

 sfox@eventinsite.com