By taking the time and effort to meet with a legislator, especially if it requires that you travel a long distance, you are proving that you care a great deal about a particular issue. Most legislators and their staff members are very impressed with the strength of conviction that this shows.

You may have opportunities for contact with your state legislator through local business and civic organizations to which you both belong. In addition, your representative generally spends a few days a week in the district, even when the legislature is in session.

All the tips pertaining to writing and telephoning a legislator also applies to conducting an effective meeting.

Here are some additional points to remember when setting up and participating in a meeting with your elected officials.

It is best to write or call ahead to arrange for an appointment. You should list several alternate dates, the purpose of your meeting, how many individuals will be in attendance, and what group you are representing (CEA).

You should be well prepared to present your case, both orally and in writing. Assume that the legislator knows few details about the issue in question when you prepare your presentation. Plan to spend about five to seven minutes briefing the legislator on the issue – providing background information, stating what the legislator will do, and giving specifics about its impact on you.

You might want to prepare, a one-page document for your legislator, in addition to in-depth briefing materials for his or her staff members. (Example, CEA News with the Advocate Summary).

Be prepared to answer any questions that might logically arise, but don’t be afraid to say “I don’t know,” or “I’ll have to get back to you with that information.”

Be prepared and understand the time demands made on legislators. Time demands will occur due to requirements on the chamber floor, at a committee hearing, or at a meeting with fellow members, for instance. If your meeting is interrupted, wait until the legislator is free again, reschedule, or meet with staff members.

Do not get into a heated argument. Follow up promptly after your meeting, and once you have established a channel of communication with a legislator, keep the channels open. Writing periodically with new information on resolved issues or on a new bill coming to the floor will allow you to become recognized and respected as an influential constituent.

Most importantly, always follow up promptly after your meeting; send any information you promised to provide. This allows recapping the important points of your meeting and providing any additional information for the legislator.