Relationship Building with Policymakers

Advocacy is really about building relationships with people so that you can provide information to them in an effort to get them to make decisions that you think are the appropriate decisions. You have to understand how decisions are made and who is making the decisions in order to effectively influence decision-making. It helps to have concise, relevant information about issues, particularly if you can show either positive or negative impact. Style is also important. Your reputation as an advocate will influence how policymakers perceive you and is directly related to how effective you can be. Being honest, factual and polite will help you build positive, long-term relationships. There are several factors that are crucial, whether you are trying to impact local, regional, state or federal decision-making. Tips are outlined below to increase your effectiveness as an advocate.

1. Establish visibility and ongoing relationships with policymakers and key staff.

Know your legislator.

• Find out personal information (occupation, personal interests, family).
• Learn his/her legislative profile (tenure, committee assignments).
• Learn his/her political profile (Democrat, Republican, swing voter, votes with the party).
• Understand the demographics of his/her legislative district (rural, urban, income level).

At home

• Contact legislators before the General Assembly goes into session.
• Invite them to lunch or to a meeting; have a small group meet informally with the legislator.
• Identify members who know the legislator personally and involve them.
• Visit or call newly elected legislators.
• Make sure they are on your mailing list for newsletters, annual reports, etc.

At the Capitol

• Find out the best time to meet. Make an appointment or be prepared to wait.
• Get to know their staff.
• Be brief - 15 minutes at the most, five minutes is better.
• Limit the size of the group.
• Have someone experienced go with the inexperienced.
• Know your subject; be prepared for questions.
• Explain what you want; be concise, present solutions, talk about what works (have success stories), be honest.
• Thank them and follow-up with a note.

During Election Season

• Register and vote.
• Participate in or organize candidate forums.
• Assist candidates with fundraising, yard signs, making introductions.
• Invite them to an event or membership meeting.

2. Build consensus around a realistic agenda.

Understand the importance of compromise.

• Promote strategies adaptable to compromise while not sacrificing your principles.
• Be tolerant of the legislative process.
• Have realistic expectations.
• Don't get angry; find common ground.

Build Consensus

• Conflict or disagreement among advocates can make legislators unwilling to work with you.
• Have realistic goals for a coalition of partners; it takes time.
• Work in coalition with likely and unlikely partners.
• Know your organization's position and what you have in common with partners.
• Understand the big picture.

3. Develop a broad base of support.

Build constituent support statewide (grassroots efforts).

• Use "the folks back home" to contact legislators.
• Legislators respond to voters from their district.
• There is strength in numbers.

Involve new voices and new leaders.

• Broaden the base of support (include likely and unlikely partners such as garden clubs, business groups, neighborhood groups, civic clubs).
• Make sure members and interested people are registered to vote.
• Involve some people who have clout with the policymaker.

Have bipartisan strategies.

• Have strategies that cut across party lines and ideologies.

4. Provide factual and compelling information in a useable form.

Provide well-researched and accredited information.

• Be factual; be thoughtful.
• Provide examples of what has worked in other places.
• Use common language; no jargon.
• Use simple facts (2 out of 3 rather than 66%).
• If you have real data from a legislator's district, use it (a name, a person, a business that has been impacted; examples that are meaningful to the legislator).
• If you give them written information, make it concise and readable.

Communicate effectively.

• Be honest.
• Be nice and polite.
• Don't get mad or threaten.
• Be prepared; be able to say your message in a concise sentence.
• Repeat your message clearly using different wording.
• Know the bill number or budget item.

Tips for effective letters

• Put your name, address and phone number on the letter; envelopes may be thrown away.
• Get to the point quickly, with a bill number if possible.
• Try to keep it to one page.
• Avoid form letters. Petitions, pre-printed postcards, group letters, etc., are not nearly as effective as a personal letter.
• Handwritten letters are fine.
• Ask their position on the issue and ask for a reply.
• Be courteous; include at least one sentence of appreciation.