1. Legislator Etiquette 101 or Unraveling the mysteries of the Kansas legislature

2. Agenda Composition of House and Senate Legislative timelines Important dates Legislature 101 Written correspondence Electronic communication Telephone Face-to-face Contacting your legislator Learn your legislator Hear from Hill veteran Learn from lawmaker

3. Legislature 101

4. DemocratsRepublicans 92 Representatives 31 SenatorsGovernor 33 Representatives 9 Senators Kansas: The Red State

5. Timeline Jan. 10 Session Begins Apr. 2 – First Adjournment Return to Districts Apr. 27 – Wrap Up Session Adjournment Sin Die

6. Important Dates for 2011 January 10 Opening Day of the General Session January 25 Classified Senate Day on the Hill February 8 SGA Day on the Hill February 15 Southeast Kansas Day on the Hill February 26 – March 1 Not in session March 1 Pittsburg Day on the Hill March 24 - 27 Not in session April 2 Last Day of General Session First Adjournment April 3 - 27 Not in session April 27 First day of wrap up/veto session

7. Contacting Your Legislator Personal Greater impression Room for detail Allows signature Not electronic Easy to get off topic Written Correspondence

8. Contacting Your Legislator Written Correspondence Be specific State your position Ask for a response Follow up

9. Contacting Your Legislator Written Correspondence The Honorable (Full Name) State House, (Room Number) Kansas Senate Topeka, KS 66612 State Senate The Honorable (Full Name) State House (Room Number) Kansas House of Representatives Topeka, KS 66612 State House Legislature in session: January 10 – May 10

10. Contacting Your Legislator Fast Portable Convenient Can be sent from anywhere Delete button Lacks personal touch Not preferred by some E-mail Use written correspondence guidelines

11. Contacting Your Legislator Fast Portable Convenient Keeps personal touch Legislator rarely answers Easy to get off topic Message mis-direction Telephone State switchboard 785.296.0111

12. Contacting Your Legislator Telephone Identify yourself Explain why you are calling Request a written response Say “thank you”

13. Contacting Your Legislator Effective Personal Great impression Demonstrates support Easy to get off topic Difficult to schedule Time is limited Face-to-face Schedule an appointment by calling the legislator’s office

14. Contacting Your Legislator Face-to-face Schedule appointment Be polite. Be prepared. Be brief Say “thank you” Send follow- up note

15. Contacting Your Legislator Here come the Gorillas! Be informed Read GLN Newsletters Know your legislators Know who they are Know where they are Know how to contact them Take action Support PSU through your contacts Pay attention to email alerts Contact legislators