Meet with Your Legislators

There are 100 senators, 435 house members and more than 30,000 staff members all of whom have one thing in common; they must win elections to keep their jobs. Although it may not always seem like it, they care about what you have to say not only because as a constituent you will vote, but also because as a gastroenterologist you are an expert on issues affecting the practice of gastroenterology and medicine in general.

There are many specialty groups in DC vying for finite attention from legislators, so the more attention gastroenterology receives on a local level the better our chances of success. 

Set Up a Meeting With Your Legislators

Personal meetings are the most effective means of political communication. If you are unsure of your representatives, you can look them up using your zip code at: http://capwiz.com/gastro/dbq/officials/.

If you are interested in setting up a meeting in your area, the AGA can help you prepare and provide materials to aid you in your meeting. For further information contact Lauren DePutter at (240) 482-3221 or ldeputter@gastro.org.

Tips for Successful Legislative Meetings

When organizing a personal meeting, you may want to invite a colleague in the state or district to also attend. However, you do not want to have such a large group that your message gets distorted.

Here are some important "do's" and "don'ts" to ensure that your lobbying meeting is successful and effective.

DO:

  • Make an appointment in advance.  Time is always at a premium in legislative offices. Contact the legislator's scheduler in advance to arrange a meeting.

  • Your homework. Prepare carefully and thoroughly for your meeting. Take the time to "know" your legislator by reviewing past votes or statements on the issue, his/her party's position, and committee assignments. Develop an agenda that all your participants clearly understand. Know your talking points in advance and be prepared to make your case.

  • Stay "on message." Effective legislative meetings should be narrow in scope. Stick to a single issue, state only a few key points in support of your position and make a definite request for action. Many meetings are ineffective because a participant brings up other issues or strays from the key arguments supporting your position. Have a message and stick to it.

  • Go local. Legislators have many other avenues to get national or state analysis, reports and statistics. Local statistics and stories are important and you can be the only source for such rich information. Don't be afraid to humanize the issue by relating it to your local community or personal experience.

  • Make a clear, actionable request. Many people are afraid that it's impolite to make a direct request. But, don't forget that the purpose of your meeting is to secure support for your issue.

  • Cultivate a relationship with staff. Many grassroots advocates underestimate the important role of legislative staff. A supportive staff person can often make the difference between success and failure. Staff play an invaluable role in shaping a legislator's agenda and position on issues. It is important that you make every effort to cultivate a positive working relationship with staff. Over time, staff may even come to regard you as a helpful resource for information on your issue.

  • Follow up. What happens after a meeting is almost as important as the meeting itself. Send a ‘thank you' letter after the meeting that not only expresses appreciation but reinforces your message and any verbal commitment of support made by the legislator or staff.

DON'T

  • Go "off-message" or discuss unrelated issues. You must deliver a unified message during your meeting. Sending different messages or discussing unrelated subjects will only undermine your ability to secure support. Limit your advocacy to a single issue. Legislators meet with many groups and constituents so it is important that your message and request be clear and uniform.  

  • Engage in partisan critiques. It is best to keep the discussion based on the merits of the policy or issue. Avoid characterizing your position in strictly partisan terms. Worse, do not make snide or disparaging partisan comments. You are working on behalf of an issue, not a party. So, you want legislators of both parties to support your position. Be careful not to alienate legislators or staff based on partisanship.

  • Use threats. While it may be tempting to tell a legislator who has rebuffed your request that "you'll never vote for him/her again" or that "you pay his/her salary," such discourtesy only ensures that your arguments will be discounted—now and in the future. 

  • Be late. Time is a valuable and scare commodity for legislators. Punctuality conveys professionalism and demonstrates your commitment to your issue, which is after all the reason for the meeting. Arrive early and if you are meeting as a group allow time to calm nerves and make a final review of the talking points and message. 

  • Get too comfortable. Advocates are sometimes surprised by the courteous reception they receive, even from lawmakers who disagree with their position. As a constituent you will be accorded respect by the legislator and staff. Don't mistake this respect for agreement. Don't let the comfortable nature of the exchange deter you from making your request. And, don't mistake "concern" for your issue with support for your position.

  • Forget to follow up. Immediately send a thank you letter. Stay informed on your issue and track how your legislator responds. Did the legislator follow through on his/her promise? If not, request an explanation. If so, express your appreciation.