1. Advocacy 101: Tips for a Productive Meeting
Accurate
Only state things that you know to be true. It’s okay to say “I don’t know or I’ll get back to you”
Brief
Clearly articulate the reason for your visit. Avoid bringing up extraneous issues it dilutes the message
Choose your facts and figures carefully. You want to make the biggest impact in a short amount of time.
The session is very busy so try to be respectful of staff and member time.
Courteous
Be respectful and on time
Listen and gather information
This is the first step toward building a long-term relationship
What are your key points? You may find it helpful to write down a few notes as talking points and review these before your meeting.
. Listen and gather information. Ask for your legislators’ view on an issue. Be patient; don’t react angrily if you don’t get the response you want. Stay calm and be polite always.

2. Advocacy 101: Example
Challenge: Identifying victims and keeping them safe
1 out of 5 human trafficking victims passes through Texas via the I-10 corridor.
One out of three runaways is lured into sex trafficking within 48 hours of leaving home.
The illegal commercial sex trade in Dallas generates $98 million dollars
Solutions
Protect and rehabilitate, rather than criminalize, the victims
Focus on demand for illegal commercial sex
How can the member help?
Sign on to HB 188, Senfronia Thompson, requires the local law enforcement agency, district attorney, or county attorney that assists in the prevention of human trafficking to collect statistical data with respect to cases involving human trafficking or prostitution; and, requires the human trafficking prevention task force to develop recommendations for addressing the demand for human trafficking.

3. Advocacy 101: Dos
Introduce yourself, your organization and explain the reason for your visit.
Leave a business card or packet with more information
Consider how to frame issue
Is this member a former school board president? Use that in your presentation.
Do they have a shelter for trafficking victims in their district?
Be specific
What do you want to accomplish with the meeting?
What are you asking them to do?
Send a thank you note and keep in touch.
The goal is to build a relationship.
Is this member on Public Safety: so talk about law enforcement issues or was there recently a big trafficking bust in their district?
Also if the member has been supportive of the issue or specific legislation thank them for their work.
Make a specific request. Rather than something generic like “I want you to support mental health,” a more effective ask is to request support for a specific bill or legislative action. Give several brief points why your member should support this legislation. Avoid a long philosophical debate about the issue; be concrete.
For extra impact, mail a thank you card after your visit! Include a brief reminder of who you are and what you spoke about.
c. Call the advocacy organization you have a relationship with and share what you learned from the visit!
d. Feel free to call your legislators frequently to follow-up on your request or to ask for progress updates on the issues you care about. Remember your elected officials work for you.
You can look all of this up on the Capitol website.

4. Advocacy 101: Don'ts Start with politics!
Stretch the truth
Only say things you know to be true. It is okay to say “I don’t have an answer right now but, I will look in to it and get back to you”
Get into partisan politics
Be condescending or rude.
Don’t overwhelm them with information (view this as the first of many interactions.)
Don’t quit!
Sometimes your legislator will not be available and a staff member will meet with you. That is OK! Educating staff is very important for influencing policy because they are the ones who elected officials rely on for information. Developing a relationship with staffers can be of great value.
Don’t be condescending: be aware that issues have two sides—yours and that of the opposition. Be the first to acknowledge an opposing viewpoint. Conflict closes communication
Start with politics!
Demonize those with whom you disagree
Embrace win at all costs
Engage in partisan politics…ever!
That means endorsing or opposing candidates from the pulpit, website or official church publication
Forget the central mission of the church, advocacy will always be only a small part