With the 1996 Legislative Session upon us, your association
is busily reviewing legislation that will impact your industry
or profession and formulating positions on that legislation.
As executive director and/or lobbyist you are no doubt feeling
a bit overwhelmed as you read the hundreds of legislative
bills being printed daily, and hear about other issues coming
up in the months ahead that will impact your association.
Your members' input on legislative issues and your
assistance in getting your association's message out about the
impact of those issues is critical to your association's
success in the legislative arena. Any legislator will tell you
that a voice from home carries a great deal of weight. In
fact, Rep. Les Miller, D-Tampa, was quoted in a recent St.
Petersburg Times article as having said, "The constituent
is the top priority. They are the ones who put you in office
and they are the ones who say, 'I want you to handle my
issues'." This is a view all legislators share. So, your
members' voice brings great credibility and impact to your
association's efforts to protect your interests.
The following are some tips you can pass on to your
members:
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Do not underestimate your value
as an advocate for your profession, association, organization,
or cause. You are a constituent, a taxpayer, a voter, and a
potential campaign supporter. If you're not registered to
vote, do so.
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Make sure you fully understand
the issue you want to discuss with your legislator and be able
to explain it clearly, concisely, and in an organized manner.
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When explaining your position on
an issue, tell your legislator what the opposition's position
will be, if there is any, and why. Be ready to refute your
opposition's position.
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When providing written
information to your legislator about your issue, limit it to
ONE page and put it in bullet format.
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Meet personally with your
legislator. When visiting your legislator in Tallahassee
during the session, make an appointment BEFORE you arrive, and
be flexible. Do not ask for more than 15 minutes with your
legislator during the session and be able to relay your
message in a clear and concise manner within that timeframe.
Understand that scheduling changes and delays will occur. |
We recommend meetings with your legislator three times a
year: once prior to the session, once during the session and
once during late summer or early fall. Meetings with your
legislator prior to and after the session can take more time
and be more informal. During your first meeting you should
keep it general and tell your legislator about you and your
business. It is beneficial to you and your association if you
can get to know your legislator before you go to him or her
with a problem.
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Write sincere, individualized
letters to your legislators, and be sure they're legible.
(They do not have to be typed.) Do not use form letters. Keep
your letters short and state your concerns clearly. Include
your name and home address so that your legislator can see
that you are indeed from his or her home district.
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Do not hesitate to call your
legislator before his or her vote on issues that concern you.
ALWAYS be courteous when talking with your legislator or the
staff. Be prepared to leave your name, home address, and phone
number when you call.
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Do not take it as a personal
failure if your legislator will not support your position on
an issue. While your legislator may not be able to support you
on one issue, he will likely support you on another, and it is
important that you work to keep the lines of communication
open for future discussions. While you can certainly relay
your disappointment, never threaten your legislator.
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Never lie to a legislator or legislative staff.
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If you don't know the answer to a
question you've been asked, don't be afraid to say that you
don't know the answer. But tell your legislator you will get
back to him or her with the answer, and then make sure to
follow up with that information.
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Get to know your legislator's
assistant for he or she is the gatekeeper of your contact with
your legislator.
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ALWAYS coordinate your
legislative contacts and your message with your association
Executive Director and your lobbyist, if your association has
one.
Each of these tips is
equally important and can serve as a guide as you work with
your legislator. While it's never too late to get involved in
the legislative process, we strongly encourage you to contact
your association now so that you can participate fully in its
legislative program for 1996! u
Keyna Cory and
Allison Tant serve on the Florida Society of Association
Executive Governmental Affairs Committee and lobby the Florida
legislature for a wide variety of trade association and
corporate clients. Keyna Cory is with Public Affairs
Consultants and Allison Tant is with Holland and Knight law
firm. |
