Date: Mon, 13 Dec 93 01:14:03 EDT
From: Bob Summersgill <XE605C@gwuvm.gwu.edu>

Lobbying Tips:  The Personal Visit

Personal Visit DO'S
1.  Make an appointment.
2.  Dress neatly.
3.  Introduce yourself.
4.  Stick to the subject at hand.
5.  If you don't know, say so.
6.  Be Honest.
7.  Know something about the official.
8.  Be cordial to the secretary and other staff.
9.  Be on-time, but prepared to wait.
10. Thank the public official.

Personal Visit Do Not's
1.  Be angry.
2.  Be hostile ("I'm a taxpayer")
3.  Threaten ("you'll pay for this at the polls")
4.  Be afraid to be assertive.
5.  Have a lot of material (it'll never be read)
6.  Lose credibility (it will affect everyone who lobbies on the
    same subject after you).

Points:
1.  Most public officials are happy when their constituents
    visit--they'll be friendly.
2.  Public officials want people to like them.
3.  You pay their salay, they work for you.
4.  Cultivate a good rapport with the secretary and staff--They
    can be very helpful.

Common Pitfalls (don't let them throw you):
1.  The public offical doesn't show up for your appointment.
2.  Public official is late for your appointment.
3.  Constant interuptions durring your meeting.
4.  Meeting is cut short.
5.  Public official is not familiar with your issue.
6.  Public official takes control of meeting and you never get
    to make your points.
7.  Public official asks so many questions you find it hard to
    make your points.
8.  Opposition walks in while you are talking.
9.  Public offical says "I always hear from the other side, not
    yours" or "Don't worry, it'll never come to a vote," or "Its
    a lost cause."

Hints:
1.  Confirm appointment, the morning of the appointment.
2.  Know exactly what you want to get from the official (yes or no
    vote, commitment to support or not support proposal, etc.)
3.  Prioritize your points (especially important if the meeting is
    cut short).
4.  Know background (voting record, positions on issues, personal
    history).
5.  Try to find common ground and start with that.
6.  Make yourself available as a resource.
7.  Thank the secretary or staff.
8.  Write a follow-up letter thanking the official and reiterating
    your points.

Remember that every peaceful, law-abiding act that you participate
in to ensure that your rights are not taken away helps.  If
everyone thinks that their speaking out won't help, then it won't.
If each person believes that a single voice can make a difference,
each voice quickly adds up to a chorus.  Each of us need to be
willing to say "I am here, this issue is important to me and I
WILL BE HEARD."

-- From the Fairfax lesbian and Gay Community Association


- Bob Summersgill        |      Xq28 -- Thanks Mom!
  XE605C @ GWUVM.GWU.EDU |