1. Connecting With Your Legislators

2. 10 Ways to Contact Your Legislators 1.Send a letter (via fax preferably) 2.Send an email 3.Call on the phone 4.Meet in Washington 5.Meet in their Congressional District Office

3. 6.Participate in local meetings 7.Participate in virtual forums 8.Make a speaking invitation 9.Respond to a survey 10.Get to know staff

4. How To Be Heard

5. Making Your Case Effectively Be factual Be clear and concise Be personal Be inclusive

6. Be constructive Be informed about Congress Be a listener Be courteous Be aware of rules

7. Be open to compromise Be patient Be persistent Enjoy yourself

8. Some Basic Do’s and Don’ts Do: Schedule your appointment well in advance Be punctual for your meeting Dress appropriately for the occasion Prepare adequate materials, handouts and a brief leave behind

9. Do: Stay focused on your issue Provide relevant, specific examples from the legislator’s home district Follow up after your meeting to answer any questions or unresolved issues

10. Don’t: Show up 15 minutes late Wear out your welcome Talk about your recent doctor’s appointment Wear your work boots

11. Don’t: Bring everyone you know to the meeting Get upset if you only get to meet with staff Mix personal and professional agendas

12. Consider Hosting a Conservation Tour Plan tours during Congressional recess periods Send a written letter of invitation to lawmakers and staff, offering multiple dates Confirm the visit

13. Engage your local, state, and national conservation association representatives Invite local news media Invite local government officials Consult the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) Legislative Affairs staff for guidance on current federal issues. (202) 547-6223

14. Develop an agenda and a briefing on the issues Prepare handouts for the legislator and staff Take pictures of the legislator and staff throughout the tour. Send a note of thanks

15. Ideas for Effective Tours Visit local producers who have utilized the services of the conservation district Conduct a boat tour Showcase demonstration projects Coordinate walking tours highlighting Neighborhood conservation practices Sustainable forestry practices

16. Develop Relationships with Legislative Candidates Invitation to your conservation district’s board meeting. Invitation to your annual banquet Invitation to a conservation tour in their congressional district.

17. Minnesota’s Civic Engagement Training

18. Democracy is a work in progress. Will you sit on the sidelines or will you engage in our representative democracy?

19. Sources: Center on Congress at Indiana University www.centeroncongress.org National Association of Conservation Districts “The Resource,” Summer 2009, http://www.nacdnet.org/news/publications/resource/ Minnesota Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts University of Minnesota Extension www.centeroncongress.org http://www.nacdnet.org/news/publications/resource/