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Presenting Your Message
Let the legislator know who you represent, what you want to talk about, what your position is, what you want and why they should help you get it.
Thank them for their legislative work and their support
- Give them an update on the success of your program, and that it was money well spent.
- If you don’t have a home visiting program in your area, express your desire to—and the necessity of creating one.
Know your facts
- Statistics for your county can be found at the NYS Kids' Well-being Clearing House
- Express facts accurately and positively.
- When many people participate in an advocacy campaign, errors can occur. Correct these errors immediately.
Be as specific as possible
- Let the legislator know how the issue relates to her or his constituent or legislative committee responsibilities.
Avoid being a zealot
- Be clear and firm, but remember fanatics impress no one. A reasoned approach and your committal to an issue can take you much further.
Be proactive during the meeting
- If the legislator has reservations that you don’t have an immediate answer for, make a note to follow-up.
- Also make a note of the staff person in attendance at the meeting, as you’ll likely correspond with that individual rather than the legislator him/herself.
- Leave a one-sheet summary with the legislator including information about your program. Leave a second copy with staff.
Follow up on your visit
- No matter how the meeting went, it’s essential that you follow it up with a thank you letter, including a brief summary of your discussion and any additional information you may have promised.
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