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Connecting With Your Legislators

Connecting With Your Legislators. 10 Ways to Contact Your Legislators. Send a letter (via fax preferably) Send an email Call on the phone Meet in Washington Meet in their Congressional District Office. Participate in local meetings Participate in virtual forums Make a speaking invitation

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Connecting With Your Legislators

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  1. Connecting With YourLegislators

  2. 10 Ways to ContactYour Legislators • Send a letter (via fax preferably) • Send an email • Call on the phone • Meet in Washington • Meet in their Congressional District Office

  3. Participate in local meetings • Participate in virtual forums • Make a speaking invitation • Respond to a survey • Get to know staff

  4. How To Be Heard

  5. Making Your Case Effectively • Be factual • Be clear and concise • Be personal • Be inclusive

  6. Be constructive • Be informed about Congress • Be a listener • Be courteous • Be aware of rules

  7. Be open to compromise • Be patient • Be persistent • Enjoy yourself

  8. Some Basic Do’s and Don’ts Do: • Schedule your appointment well in advance • Be punctual for your meeting • Dress appropriately for the occasion • Prepare adequate materials, handouts and a brief leave behind

  9. Do: • Stay focused on your issue • Provide relevant, specific examples from the legislator’s home district • Follow up after your meeting to answer any questions or unresolved issues

  10. Don’t: • Show up 15 minutes late • Wear out your welcome • Talk about your recent doctor’s appointment • Wear your work boots

  11. Don’t: • Bring everyone you know to the meeting • Get upset if you only get to meet with staff • Mix personal and professional agendas

  12. Consider Hostinga Conservation Tour • Plan tours during Congressional recess periods • Send a written letter of invitation to lawmakers and staff, offering multiple dates • Confirm the visit

  13. Engage your local, state, and national conservation association representatives • Invite local news media • Invite local government officials • Consult the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) Legislative Affairs staff for guidance on current federal issues. (202) 547-6223

  14. Develop an agenda and a briefing on the issues • Prepare handouts for the legislator and staff • Take pictures of the legislator and staff throughout the tour. • Send a note of thanks

  15. Ideas for Effective Tours • Visit local producers who have utilized the services of the conservation district • Conduct a boat tour • Showcase demonstration projects • Coordinate walking tours highlighting • Neighborhood conservation practices • Sustainable forestry practices

  16. Develop Relationships with Legislative Candidates • Invitation to your conservation district’s board meeting. • Invitation to your annual banquet • Invitation to a conservation tour in their congressional district.

  17. Minnesota’s Civic Engagement Training

  18. Democracy is a work in progress. Will you sit on the sidelines or will you engage in our representative democracy?

  19. Sources:Center on Congress at Indiana Universitywww.centeroncongress.orgNational Association of Conservation Districts “The Resource,” Summer 2009, http://www.nacdnet.org/news/publications/resource/Minnesota Association of Soil and Water Conservation DistrictsUniversity of Minnesota Extension

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