The following information is reproduced from the
brochure Tools for Faithful Citizenship. How to Lobby and Shape Public
Policy From Home, copyright by the
JRLC (Joint
Religious Legislative Coalition). Permission to reproduce is granted
by the JRLC.
General Lobbying Guide
Two Keys
Strategy
How to Lobby
Dos and Don’ts
Types of Contact:
Use the Most Effective
Checklist for a Meeting
Four Keys
Strategy
Dos and Don'ts
Checklist for Writing a Letter
Four Keys
Strategy
Dos and Don'ts
How to
Address the Letter
Checklist for Telephone Calls
Four Keys
Strategy
Dos and Don’ts
Legislative Information
Who are my
legislators? How can I reach him or her?
How can I
find committee and floor session schedules?
How can I track a
certain piece of legislation?
How can I access
summaries of the previous week’s activity?
Websites
Two Keys
Access -- Your ability to talk to a legislator as someone you know.
Credibility -- Your believability on the subject you are talking about.
Strategy
Gain Access; Protect Credibility -- If you don’t have access you can’t
gain credibility. If you lose credibility, you will lose access. Get to
know your legislator. It may take time but begin now. Personal one-on-one
relationships are the best.
How to Lobby
Schedule meetings. Come prepared to discuss one issue and bring
written information to leave behind. Keep the meeting short; just long
enough to voice your concern.
Write letters. But keep them brief and to the point. Keep them to
one subject and avoid form letters. Neat, handwritten letters have most
impact. Be sure to include your name and address on the letter itself...
envelopes sometimes get tossed.
Use the telephone. But keep in mind it is sometimes hard to get
legislators directly. Talk to your legislator’s staff. They often have
better command of details, facts.
Relax. Be yourself. Lobbying is a perfectly legitimate and vital
right each of us has as a citizen. Democracy thrives on an informed and
active citizenry. If you vote (and you should!), why not follow-up and
voice your concerns? You choose to either assert or abdicate your role as
an active citizen.
Dos and Don’ts
Do know your facts.
Don’t bluff. If you don’t know, admit it and get back with the information
later.
Do be brief and to the point.
Don’t pressure, threaten, or seek to intimidate. You are in this for the
long-run.
Do thank public officials and not just when you’re asking for their
support.
Do leave something behind, such as a fact sheet or copy of a bill.
Do get involved with campaigns, advisory boards, and civic organizations.
Don’t underestimate your right to be heard. Elected officials serve the
public.
Do get to know your legislator.
Types of Contact: Use the Most Effective
Most Effective to Least Effective:
Face to face meeting.
Phone conversation.
Personalized letter (if legible, handwritten is best).
Phone message, often left with staffer.
Personalized e-mail (type “I’m a constituent” in subject line).
Petitions, pre-printed postcards, just-click e-mail, and other ready made
grassroots devices (though better than no contact at all).
Four Keys
Be Prepared.
Be Respectful.
Stay on Topic.
Leave behind written summary.
Strategy
Schedule brief meeting right before key actions. Schedule longer, in-depth
meeting during interim. After social pleasantries, get right to the topic.
Make your case. Ask politely for action. Listen to reply and state what
you hear. Address any objections if you can.
Dos and Don'ts
Do get to the topic. Don't let small talk eat away your time.
Do bring your personal story and stake in the issue. Credential yourself.
Don't threaten electoral consequences.
Do bring fresh, credible information.
Do ask for support of your position.
Don't burn bridges. Keep doors for communication open. Send a thank-you
note.
Four Keys
Be Brief.
Be Legible.
Be Polite.
Be Timely.
Strategy
Write the right legislator at the right time. You want your letter to
reach a decision-maker right before he or she votes on the issue.
Responding quickly to organizational "alerts" is crucial.
Dos and Don'ts
Do keep your letter to a single page and single subject.
Do identify yourself. Make sure your name and address appear on the
letter; envelopes get tossed. If you use letterhead, have a reason for
doing so. If appropriate, cite your involvement or title with an
organization.
Do use bill numbers if you have them.
Don't use form letters. Once you have the basic facts, write the letter in
your own words.
Do ask for a response. How will you vote? What is your opinion on this
issue? What information do you need?
Do send a copy of your letter and any response to your organization. Don't
write after a vote. Your letter counts beforehand.
Don't expect an immediate reply.
How to Address the Letter
Senator Jane Smith
Minnesota State Senate
St. Paul, MN 55155
Dear Senator Smith,
Representative Bob Brown
Minnesota House of Representatives
St. Paul, MN 55155
Dear Representative Brown,
Four Keys
Be Brief
Be Timely
Rehearse
Be Prepared to leave a one-sentence message.
Strategy
If you cannot say what you want to say within three minutes, write a
letter.
Dos and Don’ts
Do make notes and practice what you want to say.
Do identify yourself.
Do use bill numbers if you have them.
Do be prepared to leave a short message such as “Please support House File
100, the Hunger Reduction Bill.
Don’t insist on a call-back.
Do make phone calls before key votes.
Respond quickly to organizational “alerts.”
Don’t rely solely on the phone. Get to know your legislator through visits
and letters.
Do report back to organizations on your phone conversations.
Who are my legislators? How can I
reach him or her?
Senate Information Office
Room 231, State Capitol
(651) 296-0504
(888) 234-1112
TTY (651) 296-0250 or (888) 234-1216
House Information Office
175 State Office Building
(651) 296-2146
(800) 657-3550
TTY (651) 296-9896 or (800) 657-3550
How can I find committee and floor
session schedules?
www.senate.leg.mn.us
or call 651-296-0504
www.house.leg.mn.us
House Schedule Hotline: (651) 296-9283
How can I track a certain piece of
legislation?
You can customize the legislature’s website so that it lists the bill
numbers you are interested in for easy tracking. Or you can call their
staff.
Senate Index, (651) 296-2887
House Index, (651) 296-6646
How can I access summaries of the previous
week’s activity?
The weekly publication Senate Briefly is on the Senate website.
Call House Information to receive a free mail subscription to Session
Weekly.
USE THESE WEB SITES
MINNESOTA
LEGISLATURE:
www.leg.state.mn.us
JOINT
RELIGIOUS LEGISLATIVE COALITION:
www.jrlc.org
