NFIB members holding meetings in person with elected officials is the most effective means of political advocacy. Here are some important "dos" and "don'ts" to ensure that your lobbying meeting is successful and effective.
DO...
Do make an appointment in advance.
Contact the legislator's scheduler in advance to arrange a meeting. It's best to make your meeting request in writing and follow up with a phone call. Be clear about who will be attending the meeting and the specific reason for the meeting.
Do your homework.
Prepare carefully and thoroughly for your meeting. Take the time to know your legislator: What, if any, leadership positions does he/she hold? On which committees does he/she serve? Use NFIB Voting Records to review past votes on key small-business issues. Know NFIB/Ohio talking points in advance and be prepared to make your case for small-business owners around Ohio. Use talking points and NFIB Member Ballot statistics to develop an agenda that all your participants clearly understand. Research the opposition's arguments against your position and, if possible, acknowledge and rebut those arguments in your presentation.
Do stay on message.
Effective legislative meetings should be narrow in scope. Stick to one or two issues, have one or two specific examples or statistics that support your positions, and make a definite request for action. Have a message and stick to it.
Do go local.
Your effectiveness is based on geography. Legislators want to hear your thoughts and opinions because you are a constituent and a small-business owner. One of your most useful strategies is to relate the issue and your position to your community and your business. Legislators have many other avenues to get national or state analysis, reports and statistics. Local statistics and stories are important, and you can be a key source for such rich information. Don't be afraid to humanize the issue by relating it to your local community or personal experience.
Do make a clear, actionable request.
Many people are afraid that it's impolite to make a direct request. But, don't forget that the purpose of your meeting is to secure support for your issue. It is appropriate and expected that you will make a request at your meeting. The key is to make sure that your request is clearly articulated and actionable by the legislator. It is usually not enough to ask for generic support for an issue or cause, rather make a direct and specific request that is tied to pending legislative activity (if possible). Keep in mind that your request should be consistent with the legislative process and NFIB/Ohio's position.
Do leave a packet of information with your legislator.
Providing important information, such as newspaper clippings quoting NFIB/Ohio staff or relevant statistics relating to small business in Ohio, can help to ensure the legislator best understands NFIB/Ohio's position on various issues. Be sure to include business cards of all NFIB members who participated in the meeting so the legislator has the ability to contact you in the future.
Do follow-up.
What happens after a meeting is almost as important as the meeting itself. Remember: Even if the legislator does not agree to support your request, you are building a long-term relationship. Send a thank-you letter after the meeting that not only expresses appreciation but reinforces your message and any verbal commitment of support made by the legislator or staff. If you promise during the meeting to get back in touch with additional information, be sure that you do so. Failure to follow up on your promise will call your credibility into question. Also, don't forget to report the results of your meeting back to the NFIB/Ohio staff. This information is vital to coordinating overall legislative strategy and evaluating the effectiveness of the NFIB/Ohio Adopt-a-Legislator program.
DON'T...
Don't go "off-message" or discuss unrelated issues.
You must deliver a unified message during your meeting. Sending different messages or discussing unrelated subjects will only undermine your ability to secure support. Use the talking points provided by NFIB/Ohio and limit your advocacy to one or two issues. Legislators meet with many groups and constituents so it is important that your message(s) and request(s) be clear and are consistent with NFIB/Ohio's position.
Don't engage in partisan critiques.
Remember: NFIB is a nonpartisan organization. It is best to keep the discussion based on the merits of the policy or issue. Avoid characterizing your position in strictly partisan terms. Worse, do not make snide or disparaging partisan comments. You are working on behalf of an issue, not a party. So, you want legislators of both parties to support your position. Be careful not to alienate legislators or staff based on partisanship.
Don't use threats.
While it may be tempting to tell a legislator who has rebuffed your request that "you'll never vote for him/her again" or that "you pay his/her salary," such discourtesy only ensures that your arguments will be discounted -- now and in the future.
Don't be late.
Time is a valuable and scarce commodity for legislators and other NFIB members. Punctuality conveys professionalism and demonstrates your commitment to your issues, which is after all the reason for the meeting. Arrive early and, if you are meeting as a group, allow time to calm nerves and make a final review of the talking points and message.
Don't get too comfortable.
Advocates are sometimes surprised by the courteous reception they receive, even from lawmakers who disagree with their position. As a constituent you will be accorded respect by the legislator and staff. Don't mistake this respect for agreement. Don't let the comfortable nature of the exchange deter you from making your request.
For more information about the Adopt-a-Legislator Program, please contact NFIB/Ohio at 614-221-4107.
