Legislative AdvocacyLegislative AdvocacyDo’s and Don’tsDo’s and Don’ts

Graham L. Sisson, Jr.Graham L. Sisson, Jr.SRC LiaisonSRC Liaison

AlabamaAlabama

OverviewOverviewLegislative Advocacy takes time- it is not a short Legislative Advocacy takes time- it is not a short sprint, but a marathonsprint, but a marathonKnow your facts/never lie/be preparedKnow your facts/never lie/be preparedBuild a relationship with your legislators- Build a relationship with your legislators- homecookinghomecookingWork with everyone regardless of partisan Work with everyone regardless of partisan politics- disability issues are the right thing to dopolitics- disability issues are the right thing to doDo not get discouraged even if the legislator Do not get discouraged even if the legislator forgets your name or you have to meet with a forgets your name or you have to meet with a stafferstafferFollow up with your legislatorsFollow up with your legislatorsPractice good etiquette/follows rules of decorumPractice good etiquette/follows rules of decorumBe preparedBe prepared

Know Your FactsKnow Your FactsKnow material before Know material before meetingmeetingFacts, figures, legislative Facts, figures, legislative and/or regulatory history, and/or regulatory history, etc.etc.Example: ADAAA purpose, Example: ADAAA purpose, when ADA was passed, etc.when ADA was passed, etc.If you do not know the If you do not know the answer, do not be afraid to answer, do not be afraid to admit that ; state that you admit that ; state that you will research question and will research question and get back to him or herget back to him or herNever lie or even fudge on Never lie or even fudge on the truth; otherwise your the truth; otherwise your credibility will be at stakecredibility will be at stake

Build RelationshipsBuild RelationshipsGood HomecookingGood HomecookingMeet your legislators in Meet your legislators in your home districtyour home districtGet to know them and Get to know them and local stafflocal staffInvite them to local eventsInvite them to local eventsPoints to learn about Points to learn about legislators:legislators:– Political party/ideologyPolitical party/ideology– Committee assignmentsCommittee assignments– DistrictDistrict– Voting record on disability Voting record on disability

issuesissues– How long in elected How long in elected

positionposition– http://thomas.loc.govhttp://thomas.loc.gov

Work with EveryoneWork with Everyone

Disability issues are not measured by Disability issues are not measured by political party or ideologypolitical party or ideology

Advocate from a position of fairness, Advocate from a position of fairness, the right thing to do, not partisanshipthe right thing to do, not partisanship

Do not alienate any potential Do not alienate any potential supportersupporter

Build bridges, do not burn themBuild bridges, do not burn them

Be PositiveBe PositiveDo not get Do not get discourageddiscouragedLegislators may Legislators may forget your name forget your name at first- wear a at first- wear a name tagname tagSometimes you will Sometimes you will meet with a staffer meet with a staffer when another when another event arisesevent arises

Follow upFollow upSend follow up letter thanking for Send follow up letter thanking for meetingmeetingDo not send form letter or letter of Do not send form letter or letter of more than one pagemore than one pageResend one page fact sheet or other Resend one page fact sheet or other concise information (outline of concise information (outline of information)information)If possible, schedule a follow up visit If possible, schedule a follow up visit in the home districtin the home district

Follow RulesFollow RulesSchedule meetings in Schedule meetings in advanceadvanceBe on timeBe on timeDesignate one person to Designate one person to be spokesperson if be spokesperson if meeting as a groupmeeting as a groupIntroduce yourself and Introduce yourself and state name of hometownstate name of hometownDress appropriately-Dress appropriately-business casualbusiness casualDo not speak negatively of Do not speak negatively of other politicians or groupsother politicians or groupsAlways follow up with your Always follow up with your promisespromises

MiscellaneousMiscellaneous

Practice, practice, practice.Practice, practice, practice.

Do not be afraid: legislators are Do not be afraid: legislators are people too.people too.

Keep discussion to 15-20 minutes Keep discussion to 15-20 minutes and do not get sidetracked with an and do not get sidetracked with an inordinate amount of small talk.inordinate amount of small talk.

The EndThe EndQuestions?Questions?

Comments?Comments?

Thank you.Thank you.