FRAC’s Tips for Lobbying Visits

Weeks Before Your Visit:

• Call ahead to schedule an appointment with the Member or the Congressional Aid assigned to work on your specific issue. Requests to Members may need to be faxed. All information can be found through, www.house.gov and www.senate.gov. The Capitol switchboard is (202) 224-3121.

• Know whom you are meeting
  
  • Do some research: look up their biographical information, resume, congressional committee assignments, etc.
    
  • Study voting record on past issues

• Prepare a concise one-page fact sheet to leave behind. The fact sheet should be simple and to the point. You can include any
  of the following suggestions:
  
  • Descriptions of the problems you want solved and specifically what actions you want the elected official to take to solve them
    
  • Information about your organization
    
  • Local press clippings
    
  • Photographs and easy to understand charts and graphs that make your point. If you have been unable to get your Member to visit your agency, prepare a scrapbook or photo album that captures the services you provide. Pictures of happy children and families consuming nutritious foods usually do the trick! Don't be surprised if it lands on his or her coffee table!

• Research any opposing views and how to negate their talking points
  
  • Know how to respectfully counter an argument that doesn't agree with your position
    
  • Back up your side with facts, not morally or emotionally charged arguments

Right Before Your Visit:

• Keep in mind the purpose of your visit and be organized
  
• Choose one person to serve as a facilitator for the meeting
  
  • This person will make introductory remarks and ask members of the group to introduce themselves
    
• Be on time
  
• Be patient
  
  • It is not uncommon for your legislator and aides to be late because of a hearing, committee meeting, voting session, etc.

During Your Visit:

• Determine the amount of time the group will have with the Member and/or Aide
  
• Introduce all members of the group
  
  • Unless you're an extremely large group, be sure every person has something to say
    
• Stay on topic
  
  • Keep presentation simple and straightforward
    
  • Present your issues briefly and persuasively
• Emphasize the District/State
  
  • Talk about local examples and the local impact on the community
    
  • Tell a story about how it will affect your district, business, the people you serve -- your community
    
• Be Specific
  
  • Have the specific bill/proposal, bill or bill number with you that you want to discuss
    
  • "The Ask" - Be specific about what you want your legislator to do (e.g., Sign letter to the President, cosponsor legislation, vote against a bill/proposal)
    
  • Make sure the legislator knows your future plans and what you want from him or her

After Your Visit:

• Have a Follow-Up plan to monitor progress and build a relationship
  
  • Send a thank you letter for the meeting
    
  • Send any relevant information requested during the meeting
    
  • Add your Member to your mailing lists for newsletters, invitations to local events, etc.
    
  • Invite your Member to visit your agency or tour your facility
    
  • Keep in touch with the Member and their staff with any important developments

General Do's and Don'ts of Lobbying