by Jonathan Cohn
Reprinted from the website of Progressive Mass, an Indivisible Mass Coalition ally.
The goal of grassroots lobbying is to turn our supporters into champions, the fence-sitters into supporters, and the opposition into bystanders. An essential part of that, beyond calls and emails, is showing up (in person or virtually) to meet with your legislators.
Where to start
Know the Bills. Familiarize yourself with the bills — particularly bills your legislator has not cosponsored — and focus on bills that are important to you. You don’t have to be an expert on everything (your legislator isn’t either!), but the more info you can provide at the meeting to make your case and rebut any counterargument, the better. As a constituent, feel free to prepare your case with examples, stories, and your values. Don’t feel intimidated thinking you need an analysis of costs and evidence. Your legislator can find that information.
Know Your Legislator. Before going into the meeting, try to figure out if your legislator is already a co-sponsor of the bills for which you’re advocating so that you can calibrate your demands accordingly. Find your legislator’s co-sponsorship and voting record at Scorecard.progressivemass.com.
Invite Friends. By showing up, you are trying to make clear to your Legislator that you mean business. You can have an even greater impact by bringing friends and neighbors along with you. First of all, there’s power in numbers. But second of all, each person probably has a different strength or experience to bring to the meeting.
Consider the Setting. You and your activist partners can ask to meet at the Statehouse, at a local cafe, at someone’s home, or elsewhere. Each setting brings a different level of formality, and a different sense of ownership.
Be prepared for common excuses. Check out our guide to common excuses here.
During the meeting
Be Polite. You can be assertive, but don’t be hostile. Don’t burn your bridges. You’ll need additional meetings as additional bills arise over the years, and coaxing your legislator toward more progressive views may well take time.
State Values. Back up your support of the bill by emphasizing a commitment to rights and justice — “Medicare for All is important because healthcare is a right for all citizens” or “we need to provide hard-working people a fair wage for their work.”
Make It Personal. Legislators are more likely to be influenced if you speak about why these issues matter to you. Personal stories or testimony make policy more memorable.
Keep Track of Time. Decide which legislative items are your priorities. It’s preferable to go in-depth on one or two issues than be very shallow on the entire agenda.
Make an Ask. Ask if the representative/senator will support and co-sponsor the bill.
If they’re already a co-sponsor, ask them to send a letter to the House and Senate chairs of the appropriate committee requesting that they report the bill out favorably, and ask to be cc’d on the letter.
Ask about Next Steps. Ask if the legislator needs additional information: What does s/he need to become an advocate? On issues for which the Legislator was non-committal, ask, “When should I be back in touch to find out your further thinking on the issues?”
Thank the Legislator.
Take Notes.
Commitments, questions, squishy spots, other tidbits.
After the meeting
Plan with your team. How will you follow up (consider a long-term outreach plan)?
Schedule a follow-up. Schedule your follow-up plan in your personal calendar.
Write a thank you note. Send out a note or email to your Legislators, re-emphasizing priorities from your conversation.
Keep an eye out. Be in touch with further actions or information that develops.
Share with your networks. Keep using social media to raise awareness of our issues!
Connect with us. Watch for rapid response actions from our team at Progressive Mass. Once legislation starts moving, we sometimes have to act quickly to advocate, without a lot of notice!
For more information on the work of Progressive Mass, see their website.
Jonathan Cohn is Policy Director for Progressive Mass, and among many other roles, represents the organization in statewide advocacy coalitions on voting rights, immigrants’ rights, and economic justice.
