Involving Congregations in Advocacy Now (ICAN) Introduction My Faith and Advocacy The How-tos of Advocacy How to bring advocacy to my congregation Resources Miscellaneous Activities and Handouts

Involving Congregations in Advocacy Now

• Introduction to Advocacy
• ELCA Washington Office: History
• The Mission Statement
• What is an Advocate?
• Ways to Influence Public Policy
• How to Visit a Legislator
• Make Your Letters Count
• How to Write a Letter to the Editor
• Tips on Telephoning Your Legislators
• "I can't get to see my legislator, now what?"
• Attending a Town Meeting
• Sample Role Play I: Social Concerns Committee
• Sample Role Play II: State Senator and Legislative Assistant
• Tough Questions Role Play

How to Visit a Legislator

A personal visit with your Representative or Senator, either at home or in your state/federal capitol can be anxiety-creating, exciting and rewarding. The following are some steps and tips to make such a visit most effective.

BEFORE YOUR VISIT:

1. Make an appointment:

   a) By letter or by phone, for home district office or the capitol office.
   b) Confirm appointment by phone or mail.
   c) Appointments with legislative aides are also valuable.
    

2. Brief yourself about your legislator:
    
   a) General extent of the district.
   b) Committee assignments.
   c) Number of terms served.
   d) Professional background.
   e) Voting record on issues of your interest.
   f) Views stated publicly on issues of your interest.
     

3. Define the objectives of your visit:
    
   a) Is your objective to get acquainted, express general views, or discuss specific
   issues?
   b) Limit the number of issues to be discussed.
   c) Brief yourself on the facts surrounding the issue and your views on it.
   d) Briefly outline your comments and/or prepare written summary.
     

4. Anticipate:
    
   a) Appointment may start late.
   b) Legislator may be in session and unavailable - Plan to either wait, meet with
   staff, make new appointment, meet legislator at place of meeting.
   c) Lengths of meeting may range from ten minutes to an hour.
   d) Going as a group has advantages, especially if representing a broad base of people and organizations. But, remember they are often in tight office space, so keep your group manageable.
   e) Who (if group) will be spokesperson, introduce group, guide conversation, provide summary of issue, etc. Assign specific roles to each participant.

WHILE YOU’RE THERE:

1. Introduce yourself, giving BRIEF information on:
     
   a) Place of residence and that you are a registered voter.
   b) Length of residence.
   c) Church membership.
   d) Occupation, student status, volunteer involvements, etc.
   e) Voter/political involvement.
   f) Group you are representing (if any).
   g) Your experience and expertise relevant to the issue for discussion.
    

2. Set climate of visit:
    
   a) Be on time.
   b) Be positive and friendly - not argumentative.
   c) Acknowledge areas of agreement.
   d) Acknowledge areas of appreciation.
    

3. State reason for visit:
    
   a) Be concise, accurate, and specific.
   b) State position and recommendation on issue.
   c) Identify your position or that of group which you represent.
   d) Leave a written summary of your position (if available), reference material,
   calling card, but don’t overwhelm them.
   e) Ask for related legislative materials: copy of bills, analysis of bill, brochures on
   Senate or House, etc.
    

4. During the conversation:
    
   a) Meet and write down names of staff person assigned your issue of concern.
   b) Don’t let questions or comments derail your purpose.
   c) Admit you need to think more about a new point raised; ask if they will consider
   written response later, find out who to get back to.
   d) Ask specific questions; request specific responses.
   e) Explore options of attending committee meetings or hearings, visiting galleries, etc.
    

5. At the close:
    
   a) Make sure your ‘ask’ has been clearly stated.
   b) Review what will be done next (information to provide, etc.).
   c) Express thanks for their time and interest.
   d) Make no promises you can’t keep.

AFTER YOUR VISIT:

1. Debrief:
    
   a) With members of group or another person about the experience.
   b) Determine possible next steps.
   c) Inform others about what learned.
    

2. Write letter:
    
   a) Thank legislator for visit.
   b) Summarize the visit, comment on what was said by all parties present.
   c) Identify follow-ups steps committed by legislator and self.
   d) Respond to points unaddressed in visit.
   e) Reiterate issue, position, and recommendations.
   f) Express intention to continue dialogue.
   g) Itemize names, addresses, phone numbers, etc. of all participants in visit.

GOOD LUCK!