Guidelines for Meeting with a Policy Maker

Prepared By: Robert Silverstein
Center for the Study and Advancement of Disability Policy
1660 L Street, NW, Suite 701
Washington, DC 20036
Email: Bobby@CSADP.org
www.disabilitypolicycenter.org

1. Prepare for Meeting

* Get ready to meet with a policy maker by following the guidelines contained in the Top Ten Tips on How To Influence Policy Makers and the Policy Making Process Prepared by Bobby Silverstein

2. Beware of Filibusters

* Don’t be sidetracked by long introductions and chit chat because before you know it the meeting will be over
* Goal is to control the agenda (policy maker would prefer chit chat about mutual friends back home in the district and you prefer to accomplish your agenda)
* Ask for picture at the end of meeting if possible (so doesn’t interfere with advocacy objectives)

3. Describe Purpose of Meeting/Topic Area

* Limit time period for introductions but use opportunity to demonstrate the status of participants (e.g., part of a disability group with 5,000 members which has a newsletter, go to same church)
* Limit agenda items
* Explain the subject matter of the meeting

4. Share Personal Stories and Explain How Personal Stories Relate to Policy Objectives and Policy Options

* Strategically select who will make the presentations
* Get to policy maker’s heart before get to his/her head
* After get to policy maker’s heart, get to his/her head
* Frame the issue--explain why personal story is important by explaining how it impacts others (i.e., it is an issue of general applicability)
* Share policy options
* Share support for your position by opinion leaders the policy maker trusts/respects
* Explain the research bases for position
* Offer to provide additional information for staff

5. Make Specific Requests of Policy Maker

* Explain why it is important for policy maker to get involved
* Request specific action by policy maker (such as co-sponsor a bill, oppose a certain amendment, speak in support of or in opposition to an amendment, visit a program in the state, give a speech)

6. Ask Policy Maker to Articulate His/Her Position and Suggest Follow-Up Activities

* Ask for the policy maker’s position
* Solicit reasons/rationales for position
* Be aware of nonverbal communication of policy maker and staff
* Offer to provide additional information
* Propose a meeting or visit to program in home district

7. Take Picture

* Take picture
* Share with policy maker distribution strategy

8. Provide Feedback to Government Affairs (GA) Staff

* What you said to the policy maker
* The policy maker’s response/reaction/concerns
* The response/reactions/concerns of the policy maker’s staff
* The nonverbal communications by the policy maker and staff
* What you promised to provide to policy maker and/or staff in response to issues raised

9. Write Thank You

* Use thank you as excuse for summarizing the themes/major points raised at the meeting and your understanding of the policy maker’s position or needs (e.g., more information)

10. Follow-Up

* Ask government affairs staff what follow-up is appropriate
* Take responsibility to carry out agreed on tasks\

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