1. Engaging Your Legislators
Jess Smithers
District III Program Advisor

2. Access
Rule: Legislators think differently in Springfield, than they do back home.
More effective – back home.
90 / 10 Rule – Legislators talk 90% of the time, you 10% of the time.

3. Access – 1st Meeting Introduce Yourself. Don’t ask for anything.
Make a request of legislator – to come visit you.

4. Access – 2nd Event Legislator visits your school.
Be sure the legislator leaves with a gift of appreciation (small gift – pen, plaque, etc.)

5. Educate Legislators Send a note.
Clip out news articles – send with a note.
Make requests in home office.
Be specific in requests.
Close a deal at home – remind them in Springfield

6. Educate Legislators Email Subject Line – Position Request
Body – Reasons Why
Identify yourself – name, contact info, address.
Don’t say that you are a constituent or voter in their district – sounds like intimidation.

7. Educate Legislators
s, letters, phone calls, postcards – not as effective as personal contacts.
More weight given to things that are most difficult to do.
Personalized letters, no form letters.