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

2. Part I Do Your Homework!

3. Know Your Legislator Go to @ www.myfloridahouse.gov and www.flsenate.gov www.myfloridahouse.govwww.flsenate.gov Bio Address Phone Fax E-mail Staff Information

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

5. Check the Schedule September 17-20--Committee Meetings October 1-5—Committee Meetings November 5-9—Committee Meetings December 10-14-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

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

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

8. Part II Making Capital Influence

9. Make Friends Arrive Early Respect the Time Slot Given to You Usually 10-15 minutes with member Distribute your Short Agenda Meet with Opponents Find Common Ground with All Get Introduced on the Floors with a Resolution

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

11. 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.

12. Contact Us State Representative Geraldine Thompson 511 W. South Street, Suite 204 Orlando, Florida 32801 407-245-1511 Geraldine.Thompson@myfloridahouse.gov Kenneth.Pratt@myfloridahouse.gov www.myfloridahouse.gov

13. Thank You! Questions? Comments? Ideas?

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