NFIB

Share Your Personal Story With Your New Jersey Lawmakers
01/07/2003

For the next two years, your New Jersey lawmakers will make hundreds of decisions that will affect your business. Make sure they decide in your favor by getting to know them now, and reminding them how important small business is to the economy.

The 108th Congress convenes Jan. 7, 2003. As your representative and senators begin work on critical legislation, you want your business at the top of their minds. As a member of NFIB, you already wield tremendous clout. NFIB is the top-ranked business lobby in Washington. But nothing is more powerful than your personal story. Here's how to share your personal story with your lawmakers:

1. Meet your lawmakers. Make an appointment to meet your lawmakers or a member of their staff either in Washington, D.C., or in your own area. When they are in your district, attend an event they host. Be sure to introduce yourself, tell them about your business, how many people you employ, that you're a member of NFIB, and your biggest concerns. This is especially important now if you have new lawmakers.

2. Write a letter. Congratulate new lawmakers on the election, or if your district has changed, introduce yourself and let your lawmaker know about your concerns as a small business owner. Keep your letter concise, but mention the same critical points noted above - your business, your employees, your NFIB membership and your concerns.

3. Build a relationship with your lawmakers. Why not invite your representative to a local NFIB Area Action Council meeting to speak? Or invite your senator to an NFIB Leadership Council meeting? Invite your lawmaker to speak at your business, and invite the community to attend. (Let NFIB know if you are working on an event like this - or any contact you have with your lawmakers. We can be more effective when we all work together!)

4. Stay informed. Visit NFIB.com, read Capitol Coverage and MyBusiness magazine to stay abreast of critical small business issues. We'll let you know when your actions can have the biggest impact.

5. Keep in touch. Throughout the session, stay in touch with your lawmakers when you know they are considering legislation that affects your business. This session, lawmakers are likely to consider significant tax and health care bills, among many other measures. It's important to make your voice heard, and you can do that right here on NFIB.com. You can write a letter to your lawmakers or "Tell Your Story" to NFIB so that we can be the most effective advocate on your behalf.

NFIB will be working hard in Washington, D.C., and every state capitol for the next two years, reminding lawmakers that small business is the engine that runs the U.S. economy. Yet every NFIB effort is profoundly more effective when it's echoed by your voice and those of thousands of other small business owners, sharing your stories.

We are here to help you. If you have any questions, send an email to grassroots@nfib.org.