Office of State Representative Geraldine Thompson Florida House of Representatives District 39—Orlando How the Legislature Can Work For Your Association

Part I Do Your Homework!

Know Your Legislator Go and Bio Address Phone Fax Staff Information

Form Your Committee Small group (2-3) of Good Will Ambassadors Identify Your Issues Recognize “Hot” Issues to Support Create “Your Organization Day”

Check the Schedule September Committee Meetings October 1-5—Committee Meetings November 5-9—Committee Meetings December Committee Meetings January 7-11—Committee Meetings January 22-25—Committee Meetings February 4-8—Committee Meetings February 18-22—Committee Meetings March 4—Opening Day of Session

Make Contact Call Staff Persons Identify Yourself Set up to Visit Staff or Member Bring information about your organization

Make contact…again Set up Appointment with Staff for Tallahassee Bring Committee Discuss how you can help member/staff Road Trip!

Part II Making Capital Influence

Make Friends Arrive Early Respect the Time Slot Given to You Usually minutes with member Distribute your Short Agenda Meet with Opponents Find Common Ground with All Get Introduced on the Floors with a Resolution

Follow Up Bring Back Information to Group Letters, , Faxes, Phone Calls to “Right Persons” Study Weekly Progress Set Realistic Goals Send Thank You Note to Legislator/Staff Repeat as often as necessary

The Icing on the Cake Develop relationships with member and staff Create a “buzz” about your attendance Take an Official Position on your issue. Convince a Member to Sponsor Legislation. Develop a Political Action Committee Work on Political Campaigns Invite legislator/staff to events and meetings Join with similarly-minded organizations/lobbyists.

Contact Us State Representative Geraldine Thompson 511 W. South Street, Suite 204 Orlando, Florida

Thank You! Questions? Comments? Ideas?

Office of State Representative Geraldine Thompson How the Legislature Can Work for Your Association