One of the most effective ways to influence your legislator is to make a personal visit. A direct conversation--whether with your legislators or their staff--enables you to establish a real relationship. You can share your concerns directly, ask questions about important policy issues, and hear what your legislator has to say. Understanding why a legislator holds a particular position opens the door for education.
No time to go to Washington DC?
Capitol Hill is not the only place where you may meet with your legislator. All members of Congress have offices in their home state or district. Constituent visits to the home offices are valued. They will be reported to the Washington office and will help raise the visibility of the issues you discuss in both offices. Summer recess (August) and other, shorter recess periods are great times to try meeting directly with your legislator. See FCNL's Calendar or www.house.gov or www.senate.gov for schedules.
Who can lobby?
Almost anyone can be an effective lobbyist. An advanced degree in government or public policy is not needed. Your concerns, expressed simply and sincerely, can be very persuasive. Above all, what counts is being a constituent with a vote.
Preparing for a Lobby Visit
See our flyer, Eight Tips for a Successful Lobby Visit ( PDF)for more information to print out and take with you
Choose your issue
Pick the legislative concern that is most important to you. You will have a more effective conversation with your legislator or staffer if the team focuses on a single issue rather than discussing a broad legislative agenda.
Choose your team
Assemble a small group that represents the diversity of your community and is interested and knowledgeable about your issue. A group can demonstrate the breadth of support for your position. Are there people in your meeting, church, or congregation who share your concerns? Do you belong to a professional or service organization where these issues are addressed? Just be sure to keep the group small, three to four members, to have an effective visit.
Schedule an appointment
Find out more about scheduling a lobby visit from our scheduling how-to. You can also go to FCNL’s Legislative Action Center to find the contact information you need. You can also call the Capitol switchboard at 202-224-3121 or check the government pages of your phone book.
Do your research
Review the legislator's voting record ( PDF), committee assignments, and any views that have been publicly stated. Check your legislator's web site: www.house.gov and www.senate.gov.
Establish a message and goal
Be specific about the desired action: vote for or against a pending bill or amendment; sponsor a bill; insert an article into the "Congressional Record," or raise a specific concern. FCNL’s Legislative Action Center and weekly Legislative Action Message are sources for current actions. Also, FCNL staff can assist you in selecting the most effective and timely request.
Choose roles
Meet with your team members ahead of time to discuss your approach to the issue. Then designate someone to lead the discussion in your lobby meeting and another to take notes. Decide who will handle which points so you cover everything from the introductions to the political issues. Discuss which angles will be most effective with this member. Look at their voting record, their committee assignments, even their personal background (pre-Congress profession or activities, religious faith, area of education).
Holding the Meeting
Be on time to the meeting. Be positive, constructive, friendly, and brief. Relax. Remember that you have an advantage in this meeting. You prepared on one issue, while your legislator or staffer must handle dozens of issues daily, and you are a constituent with a vote come election time.
How to start
You should each introduce yourselves and mention where you live and a brief reason for your involvement in the issue. Also add if you are representing any organizations and how many members those groups have to show the reach of your small lobby team. Then express appreciation for anything (big or small) you can find in the public record. A "thank you" helps establish a cordial meeting.
Discussing your issue
Clearly articulate the purpose of your visit. Be concise when you present your position. Ask questions about it. Allow plenty of opportunity for listening to your legislator's views and concerns. Listen closely to what your legislator says -- there may be hints that will enable you to follow up with resources. And, even if your legislator is not won over to your position on this issue, she or he might be supportive on another issue.
It is a good idea to leave printed material that summarizes the points you made or provides additional background information on your concern. FCNL provides materials on our issues on the web site or by mail.
You don’t need to know everything
Many people are put off by the idea of a lobby visit because they do not feel sufficiently expert on a given issue. So long as you have the basics down, simply be honest when there is something you do not know, and offer to send the information after the meeting. FCNL’s web site and staff can help you find what you need.
Ask for a specific action
Discussing an issue is important, but the goal is action. Be ready with a concrete request. Some examples: “Senator, will you vote for this bill?”; “Will you make a floor speech against this legislation?” or (to a congressional staff member) “We would like your boss to co-sponsor this bill.”
Promise to follow-up
Say when and how you will be in touch to follow-up your request. (Example: “I will call your staff next week to follow up.”)
After the Meeting
As soon as possible after the meeting, ideally immediately, your lobby team should spend time debriefing. Take notes to help with future work with your legislator. Follow-up with a thank you letter, recapping your key points, adding any additional information. Plan other ways to work with this office on your issue, such as generating letters and calls from other constituents.
Help strengthen FCNL’s work
We encourage you to send a brief report on your meeting to FCNL. Knowing how your legislator responded during your visit can help us in our work on Capitol Hill.
An Alternative: Hold a Public Event
Organize a local event focusing on an issue of concern during a recess and invite your members of Congress to speak. A delegation representing a broad and diverse local constituency or the promise of a large audience will help get you on your busy member's schedule. Leave plenty of lead time to organize such an event.
Reviewed:
02/07/2007
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