How to Plan an Effective Legislative Visit

Face to face visits are by far the best way to build a relationship with lawmakers. You really don’t need to be an expert on an issue to have an effective meeting with a legislator. Legislators truly want to hear why their constituents care about an issue. They are your neighbors. They work next to you, worship with you, and raise their children in your community. Meetings should not be intimidating. You are a voter, you have a voice! Here are some easy steps to ensure that meetings are productive.

1. Make an Appointment
   1. Call or email to request an appointment. When you make the request, state whether you are a constituent and identify the fact that you would like to speak on issues affecting Georgia’s charter schools.
   2. Be persistent. The state legislature is a part time job and legislators often have another career as well. Their schedules are busy, but they will make time to meet with constituents.
2. Prepare for the Meeting
   1. Make a list of 3 or 4 of your most convincing and easily understood discussion points. Practice these talking points with a friend before your visit.
   2. Know the facts. Bring fact sheets with you to leave with the legislator.
3. Arrive On Time
   1. Arrive on time, but be prepared to wait.
   2. Understand that sometimes you might meet with a staff person instead of the legislator.
4. Introduce Yourself
   1. If you are a constituent, make sure you share this fact with the legislator.
   2. State the reason for your visit briefly. Then, listen to your legislator’s response.
5. Stick to the Subject and Make a Clear Request
   1. Take a cue from your legislator. If he/she seems familiar with the issue, move ahead with your request for a specific vote or action. If not, use the time to inform the legislator of the key elements of the issue.
   2. It is very easy to get distracted and veer off into a conversation on topics other than the one you came for. The time for your meeting will be very limited and you must make sure you are able to convey your concerns to the legislator.
   3. Make a list of your most important 3-4 points and stay on message.
   4. Make a specific request. Ask the legislator to support or oppose a particular bill, sponsor legislator, support a budget request, or attend an event.
6. Tell Your Story
   1. Your personal story is by far the most important thing you can share.
   2. Explain how the legislation might affect you and your school, and your family.
7. Be Honest
   1. Never make up an answer or give intentionally wrong or misleading information. This can permanently damage your credibility.
   2. If you don’t know an answer, say so. Do not make something up. Instead, offer to find the information for the legislator.
8. Always Treat the Legislator and Staff with Respect
   1. Do not be confrontational or argumentative.
   2. Address the legislator as “Representative” or “Senator.”
9. Say “Thank You” and Follow Up
   1. Thank the legislator at the beginning and end of the meeting.
   2. Always follow up with a written thank you note, capitalizing on the opportunity to restate your major points in your letter.
10. Report on your meeting
    1. Please take the time to send GCSA an email about your meeting. If you met with a staff member, please share that person’s name and contact information with us.
    2. Let us know about areas of agreement and disagreement and whether the legislator had any particular interests in areas of children’s policy about with we should be aware.
    3. Let us know if the legislator or staff person requested additional information or asked questions that require a follow up communication.