Making Your Case

How To Effectively Educate Legislators And Policymakers

•Vote – whatever you, whoever you vote for. Get registered, get your

friends and family registered, get out and vote.

•One of two most effective ways to get attention of policy makers

Before We Begin …

“The world is run by those who show up.” – Anonymous

Remember:

•These folks we’re talking about work for you – it’s called democracy.

•That having been said, you need to know the process and how to

effectively work within it.

Remember:

• Why• Partners in Policymaking Minnesota Governor’s Council on Developmental

Disabilities • Vitally important to do this – look at

the current situation

Making Your Case

•Aide to member of Congress – if they hear from 5 – 10 people about a

particular issue or piece of legislation, that’s a lot. On most issues/legislation,

they hear nothing from constituents.

You can make a difference.

•Credibility•Credibility•Credibility

•Get it out of your head that you can do anything else, even a little.

Keep your eye on the ball.

Honesty - page 3

•Remember that civics class in high school? This is the real life, high

stakes version.•It’s very important to understand the

rules of each body you’re approaching. Find someone, usually another

advocate, to give you a run down. You can pick up a lot quickly. This is the

ocean the policy makers and staff swim in – you have to get to know it.

The Rules - page 5

•The Network•Manners / be polite

•Gossip/Threats•Keep in mind – you’re trying to get them to do something for you. Act

accordingly, no matter how passionately you may feel. If you can’t do this, find someone else to take the

point and wait until you’re ready. If you don’t, you can kill your cause.

The Rules - page 5

•Schedule in advance – be aware of the calendar. Take what you can get.

•Staff – key to the process•Research – know your stuff cold

•Offer to be a resource for the policy maker and their staff

•Gifts – don’t. Probably can’t take it.•One pagers.

•Close the deal – ask for their support•If there’s time, take a photo. Nice way to end.

•Thank yous

Legislative Visits - page 7

•Hone your message so that you can deliver it in 30 seconds in a hallway walking to an elevator, if you have to – because you will probably have to at some point.

Legislative Visits - page 7

•Sign in•Formality in presentation – know the drill – “Mr.

Chairman, members of the committee . .”•Not listening / transcribing – don’t worry about it.

Get your comments on the record.•Kids are great – Governors pay attention

•Make issues real – don’t let people be turned into numbers

•Answering questions•Written testimony

•Don’t push it – “waive in support” can sometimes help more than 10 minutes of testimony

Committee Testimony - page 13

•Personal, personal, personal•Handwritten

•Never form letters•Always note bill / statute citation•Give the policy maker something

he/she can use – seen them waved on the floor.

•Emails are easy – too easy. Faxes are better.

Letters - page 17

•Everything can and should be organized or formatted in this style

Letters – page 18

•Vital when used properly.•Timing is crucial.

•Be aware of the infrastructure. You can have a great impact

when you act at the right time.

Phone calls – page 19

•Meet as group prior to seeing legislators to get run down

•Appointments in advance•Prepare applicable materials

•Staff / aides•Cookies

•Have a business card and leave it•Thank you

•Debrief as group at end of day – schedule it and commit to it. Very

important.

Day at the Capitol - page 21

•Frontline•They Do ALL the work

•Friend or foe – act accordingly•Help them help their boss

•Florida House – 1 aide, who also acts as assistant, etc., during session

•Florida Senate – 2 aides. Maybe assistant if they’re chair of a

committee.

STAFF - page 25

•President, Governor, Mayor•Department Secretary

•Commissioners•Council members•Agency Directors

•On and on down the line

Policymakers - page 28

•Meetings more informal•More time with the official•Same format as page 18•Don’t forget District staff

•When you go to Tallahassee/Washington, you won’t be

just another face•Congressman’s cell phone numbers –

meeting lasted maybe 5 minutes

In the District - page 31

•Why not to use it•When you have to use it•Get to the right person

•Lots of information available for free on the Legislature’s web site – bills, amendments, committee

packets, videos of committee meetings, etc. Know your way

around this.

Technology - page 35

•Vote•DEADLINE TO REGISTER FOR

NOVEMBER ELECTION: OCTOBER 6•Don’t complain about the problem unless

you are a part of a solution•Vote

•Just do it•Vote

VOTE - page 38

Rich La BelleExecutive Director

Family Network on Disabilities2196 Main St, Suite K, Dunedin, FL 34698

richlabelle@fndusa.orgwww.fndusa.org727 523 1130800 825 5736

Thank you !