By Wes Glinsmann Director of State Legislative Affairs Oklahoma State Medical Association President Kinetic Consulting, LLC

Who is making the decisions about your practice?

• 1st Chamber Committee

• 1st Chamber

• 2nd Chamber Committee

• 2nd Chamber

• Governor

• Individual contributions

• PACs

• Time

1. Personal visit • Invite to your office

• Meet at Capitol

• In-district time

2. Phone call

3. Handwritten letter

4. Personalized Email

5. Form letters/emails

6. Petitions

• It depends.

• Don’t threaten.

• Don’t say you’ll make/withhold a campaign contribution based on vote.

• Don’t insult or impugn lawmakers’ motives.

• Don’t underestimate staff.

• Know who you are calling.

• Be polite.

• Be sure to announce you are a constituent.

• Stick to the facts.

• Share your story.

• Be brief.

• Include the bill number and brief summary of the issue.

• Get an answer.

• If you get a yes, SHUT UP!

• Send a thank you note.

• You have more power than you realize.

• But power that is not put into practice is worthless.