Be An Advocate

Dos and Don'ts

Do's And Don'ts When Meeting With Legislators

Do:

• Work with legislators on a one-to-one basis.
   
• Be concise and clear about your interests.
   
• Be a good listener and hear out what the legislator has to say on the issue.
   
• Respect the right of a legislator to disagree with you and vote against your issue but try to establish a common interest.
   
• Ask the legislator if there is another issue on which you can help.
   
• Offer to serve as a resource to the legislator on early literacy issues.
   
• Be polite. If you are told a legislator cannot see you, then make another appointment.
   
• Keep your visit to the allotted time as agreed upon in advance unless it is obvious that the legislator wants to spend more time.
   
• Provide written materials and follow up immediately on any commitment made during the visit.
   
• Be sure to thank the legislator for his or her time and interest in your issue.

Don't:

• Don’t visit the same legislator more than once on the same issue unless you have something very different to say.
   
• Don’t say “You promised me …” If anything, say “I understood you to say …”
   
• Don’t be sarcastic, critical or threatening, and don’t embarrass the legislator in any way.
   
• Don’t try to tell a legislator how to vote on a bill. Instead, tell him/her how a vote one way or the other will affect his/her constituency.
   
• Don’t show anger or resentment toward a legislator who votes against you. Instead, say, “Maybe you can help me next time.” And make a next time happen!
  

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