Ten Tips for Talking to Elected Decision Makers
reposted from the NC Toxic-Free Schools Update, Issue 1, Volume 1

Whether you need to meet with a County Commissioner, School Board member, City Council representative or State Legislator, it is often useful to think of your task as a concerned citizen as being, in part, to correct the imbalance of information and power between yourself (the informed) and decision makers (the powerful).

Perhaps the most effective way to express your thoughts to your elected representatives is to meet with them in person, though for many people that can also be the most intimidating way! Here are some tips to help you stay cool and get the most out of meeting with elected officials and other decision makers. The most important thing to remember is that your elected officials work for you, so be polite, but don't be shy about telling them exactly what you want.

Ten Tips for Meeting with Elected Officials:
Adapted from the ACLU's Tips on Meeting with Your Elected Officials

1) Request a meeting first in writing, then follow up with a phone call. Make sure to mention that you are a constituent, and the specific issue or policy you want to discuss.

2) Be prompt and patient. Be sure to show up on time for your appointment, and be patient - it is not uncommon for elected officials to be late or to have your meeting interrupted by other business.  

3) Start the meeting by introducing yourself and thanking the representative for any votes he or she has made in support of your issues, and for taking the time to meet with you. Be sure to bring up any personal, professional or political connections that you may have to this person. 

4) Keep it short and focused! Make the most of your brief time with your representative's attention by sticking to your topic. You can do this by preparing talking points before the meeting, and sticking to them very closely.

5) Provide personal and local examples of the impact of the issue you are discussing - how does this issue affect you, your children, and your neighbors? Make it real. This is the most important thing you can do during your meeting.     

6) Tell your representative exactly what you want, and ask point blank if he or she will do it. For example: "Will you vote for a policy on safer pest control in our school district?" Don't be shy, get the information you came for!

7) Set a deadline for response. Often, an elected representative will not commit to one a particular position in the middle of a meeting. If he or she has to think about it, or if you are meeting with a staff member, ask when you should check back in to find out what your representative intends to do about your request. If you need to get information to them, set a clear timeline for when this will happen. That way, you won't be left hanging.

8) Don't be afraid to say "I don't know." You need not be an expert on the topic you are discussing. If you don't know the answer to a question, it is fine to tell your representative that you will get that information for him or her. This gives you the chance to put your strongest arguments into their files, and gives you a perfect reason to contact them again about the issue. Never make up an answer to a question!  

9) Promptly send a personal thank you note to the official after your meeting.  

10) Follow up in a timely fashion with any requested materials and information. If the representative or staff member doesn't meet the deadline for action you agreed to during the meeting, ask him or her to set another deadline. Be persistent and flexible!