Building Relationships with Decision Makers
3 Reasons to Get to Know Your Lawmakers
- Help your lawmaker get to know you and your community.
- Establish yourself as a credible source for information and connections in the community.
- Share vital stories of community members you want them to remember.
Sharing Your Story
Your story can have a significant impact! It helps bring an issue to life for your listener.
By sharing your story, you can:
- Put a face on facts and figures.
- Connect lawmakers to constituents and what’s happening in their district.
- Provide the human-interest side of an issue.
- Help gain media coverage of an issue.
- Inspire new advocates to join the effort.
When sharing your story with a decision-maker, you need a clear objective and some details to illustrate your point. Consider using transitions such as “if … then” or “since …then” and be sure to finish with an “ask,” meaning what you want your lawmaker to do regarding the issue.
View a worksheet to help develop your personal story.
Remember, sharing your personal experience is compelling, demonstrates passion for an issue and is “sticky” — it helps people remember you!
