Effective Lobbying American Medical Student Association

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Effective LobbyingAmerican Medical Student
Association
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Communicating with Legislators

• How (most effective to least)
• Visit in person
• Write
• Call
• Email
• ESP
• Write to your local paper
• Congressional offices closely read the local
  paper to know what constituents care about

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Lobby Visits What to Expect

• You probably will meet with a staffer, not the
  actual legislator
  
• Staffers are typically 24-30 years old
• Staffers dont bite (usually) they want you to
  vote for them at the next election

This is a state senator youre
more likely to meet with them
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Six Basic Tips for Lobbying

• Establish your agenda and goals
• Listen well
• Be prepared, but don't feel that you need to be
  an expert
  
• Don't stay too long
• Remember that you are there to build a
  relationship
  
• Follow-up is important

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Establish your agenda and goals

• Know which subjects you are going to address.
  Don't overload with issues -- stick to no more
  than two or three.
  
• Decide what you would like to get out of the
  visit (commitment to vote, provide info, etc.)
  
• If it is a group visit, decide who will start the
  discussion and put your agenda on the table.

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Listen well

• Much of lobbying is listening and looking for
  opportunities
  
• If you are meeting with a "silent type," draw
  her/him out by asking questions
  
• If you are confronted with a "long-winded type,"
  look for openings to bring him/her back to the
  point

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Be Prepared

• Questions to ask yourself before hand
• Do they already endorse the legislation? (or
  similar bills)
  
• Have they endorsed legislation like this in the
  past?
  
• Bring a list of the current cosponsors (so they
  can look for friendsor enemies)
  

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But Dont Think You Have to Be an Expert

• Most elected officials are generalists
• Do your homework, but don't feel that you need to
  know every little detail
  
• Air personal feelings and experiences where
  appropriate
  
• Relate the concerns of your friends and members
  of the community

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Don't stay too long

• If you hear what you had hoped for, express your
  thanks and leave.
  
• If you reach an impasse, thank her/him, even if
  disappointed, and say so.
  
• Inquire if it would be possible to continue the
  discussion at another time.

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Build a Relationship

• Be sure to thank the elected official if they
  have been supportive of your cause!
  
• If the opposite is true, think of the phrase, "No
  permanent friends, no permanent enemies.
  
• Your visit may prevent a non-supportive official
  from being an active opponent.

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Follow-up is important

• Ask for a business card!
• If commitments were made in the meeting, repeat
  your understanding of them.
  
• Be sure to send a thank you email after the
  visit. If staff members were present, write to
  them too. They can often be important allies.

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Questions?

• Demonstration friendly, hostile, already
  support
  
• Lets practice!
• Break into groups
• Two people will lobby the rest of the group
• Remember most meetings last about 10 minutes