Meeting with Elected Officials and Stakeholders
Learn how your elected officials operate. Some don’t have offices or staff, so keep this in mind when reaching out to them. Also, some offices prefer in-person rather than online meetings.
- Receptionists and staffers are your allies, too. Get to know their names and ask for their email addresses, so that you can thank them for their help.
- Patience is a virtue. Persistence and follow-up are often required.
- When meeting with your member of Congress, an in district meeting is not only fine — it’s often preferred.
This can also be true for state lawmakers.
- If your lawmaker is in a leadership position, it will be challenging to get a meeting directly.
- So you’ll likely meet with their staff — and that’s OK.
- If you’ve met with an aide, feel free to ask if they would help you set up a future meeting directly with the lawmaker — you won’t insult them.
If your meeting is virtual, be sure to determine the best technology platform (Zoom, Microsoft Teams,
FaceTime, etc.) for you and the lawmaker’s office and identify who will set up the meeting link.
Check out a great training, tips and handouts for meeting with elected officials.
Framing Meetings:
- Open the meeting by thanking the lawmaker (or their staff) for meeting with you.
- Let them know who you are and that you’re an advocate for the National Collaborative for Infants & Toddlers
- Then explain why you requested a meeting and what you hope to discuss.
- Ask your member for their position on prenatal to 3 issues.
- Make it personal — share your expertise and why their support matters to you.
- Ask your member for their support on prenatal to 3 issues.
- Offer yourself as a resource to them and their constituents.
- Thank them for their time and ask for a photo opportunity.
- After the meeting, send a note thanking them for their time.
- Don’t forget to send your photo to your NCIT or local organization staff partner, so your efforts can be promoted in communications and social media.
