How to Talk so Your Legislators Will Listen
By Karen Heriot
1. Research your legislator. Find out where s/he stands on education issues by asking local educator groups, PTAs, etc.; reading local newspapers; looking at his/her website; and reading his/her newsletter. Additional information can gleaned by looking at his/her political base (key contributors, legislative alliances). Establish a relationship with your legislators. See them often, in as many different situations as possible (ex. office visits, town hall meetings, campaign events, etc.) Invite them to speak to a group. Engage in small talk! You want your legislators to move towards you in a crowd, not away. Before meeting with a legislator, have a plan and a script. Take a friend or two. Assign roles and topics to each person. Rehearse what you plan to say. It’s easier to remember one part than the whole thing, and, if you get off topic, having another person there who can refocus the conversation is a plus. Be passionate, but not hurt or angry. Crying or seething take the legislator’s attention away from the issue. Bring a friend and let the friend speak if the topic is upsetting. Respect their time. The aide should tell you how long your appointment is when you make it (ex. I can let you see the Senator for 15 minutes at 2:30 on ...). when the aide appears or the legislator signals that your time is up, wrap it up and leave. Scheduling a second meeting is better than overstaying your welcome. Don’t expect much time - in the district you’ll get 15 to 30 minutes. In Tallahassee during session, it will shrink to 5-15 minutes. During session, committee meetings often run late, leaving legislators little time to meet with the people who scheduled appointments. If a legislator says “walk with me,” take it as a compliment. Your legislator values you enough to multitask. Talk while you walk and ride the elevator - you can always ask the sergeant-at-arms for directions on how to return.
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Fight fair. As in any conversation, avoid alienating your legislators. Don’t lump him or her into a group and blame them for the demise of the world. Instead point out “unintended consequences.” Make the assumption that the person you are speaking to did not think up what you are opposing, and thus could be your ally in fixing it. He only needs to see things from your point of view. Provide documentation. Stay on message . A favorite tactic that some legislators are masters at is shifting the conversation. You came to talk about high stakes testing, and you suddenly realize that the legislator is asking you about public safety. It is perfectly acceptable to say, “That is not the issue I came here to discuss...” and refocus the conversation. Leave one page of talking points and any documentation. Be aware that these will usually just be filed. Don't expect your legislator to read anything after you leave. Understand the system and the unwritten rules. If your legislator says that leadership is supporting or opposing the bill, understand that your legislator will be expected to go along with leadership. If that happens, ask for a pilot program or a delay in implementation. These small steps could be significant victories. Tell them what you want them to do. Know the bill number. Ask for their support, their opposition, or to ask them to speak to the sponsor about amending the bill. Track the bill as it moves from committee to committee. Speak to the committee members before it is brought before their committee, and testify during the public comments portion of the meeting. Aides can be a vital ally. Take the time to win the aide. They are in a position to remind the legislator of your concerns at a crucial time. Send a thank you note shortly after the visit. You may want to include a follow-up piece of literature. It reminds the legislator of the conversation and is a good way to promote ongoing dialogue.
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