Plan a Successful Lobby Day

Tips for Effective Lobbying

Prior to a legislative visit:

• Learn legislators' committee assignments and where their specialties lie as well as general biographical information which is usually available on their Web page.
• Determine legislators’ leadership roles within the legislature and their party caucuses.
• Develop relationships with your legislators and their staff.
• Provide legislators and staff with preliminary information.

During a legislative visit:

• Introduce yourself.
• Start on a positive note by finding some common ground. For example, if your legislators recently voted in support of an ACS issue, thank them.
• Clearly describe the issue and the Colon Cancer Alliance’s position. This is key if your meeting is cut short.
• Use personal anecdotes. Explain your position with facts, and use personal stories when possible. Make sure legislators understand the personal ramifications or benefits resulting from their actions.
• Focus on only a few issues to avoid overloading the legislator with too much information, and keep the conversation simple and polite.
• If you don’t understand something, ask for an explanation.
• Have the legislators clarify their position and/or vote on the issue.
• Show openness to the knowledge of counterarguments and respond to them.
• Firmly and fairly direct the conversation especially if the conversation begins to veer off track.
• Ask the legislator to take some specific actions such as sponsoring a bill, voting for or against a pending measure.
• If you don’t know the answer to a question, say so, but offer to get an answer.
• Express thanks as you leave.

After the Visit:

• Write a thank you letter summarizing your priority points.
• Share the results of your meetings, including insights about legislators’ concerns. Inform the CCA membership through the newsletter.
• Maintain ongoing communication with legislators and their staff through letters, calls, and visits.
• Find out when legislators will be at home in the district and organize a local visit.