EFFECTIVELY COMMUNICATING WITH PUBLIC POLICY MAKERS

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EFFECTIVELY COMMUNICATING WITH PUBLIC POLICY
MAKERS
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Four Points of Focus for Effectively
Communicating with Elected Officials

• Understanding the process
• First impressions are critical
• Directing traffic during rush hour
• Persistence is the key to success

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Understanding Ohios Budget Process

• Key Point
• Legislators authorize Staff do the work.
• Obtaining the Legislators permission does not
  translate to successful introduction or passage
  of your concept or idea. The staff are the
  instrumental
• cog necessary for the wheels of
• the Legislature to work effectively.

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General Assembly
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DIRECTING TRAFFIC DURING RUSH HOUR

• Similar to a traffic jam, someone needs to take
  charge while the others follow directions in an
  effort to clear the rush hour traffic jam. In an
  effort to avoid a crash or being delayed in the
  jam, you need to follow the direction of the
  traffic officers as laid out in the pamphlet.
• Deviation generally results in chaos and stopped
  traffic.

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PERSISTENCE AND FOLLOW THROUGH

• Over the course of the next 5 or 6 months,
  members of the General Assembly will hear from
  thousands of constituents and hundreds of
  lobbyists. It is important that our message
  remain
• Consistent
• Often Repeated
• Supported from the field
• Your telephone calls, letters, and in-person
  discussions back in the District are critical for
  achieving success.

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FIRST IMPRESSIONS

• Treat Legislators and Staff as you would prefer
  to be treated.
• This means be polite, courteous, listen, converse
  and exchange ideas. Do not preach, chastise,
  become overly emotional.
• There are two sides to every story. Moreover,
  our issues are one of many priorities being
  brought before the Legislature.