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Advocacy 101: Making the Most of Your Meetings with Lawmakers

Learn valuable tips and strategies for making the most of your meetings with lawmakers. Discover how to craft effective messages, understand your audience, and make a compelling ask.

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Advocacy 101: Making the Most of Your Meetings with Lawmakers

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  1. Advocacy 101:Making the Most of Your Meetings with Lawmakers Michael Petruzzelli, MPA Manager, Policy and Advocacy National Council for Behavioral Health Al Guida President and CEO Guide Consulting Services

  2. What to Expect on Capitol Hill • Who will I be meeting with? • How do I run a successful meeting? • How much knowledge will the staff member have about my issue? • What type of information is helpful?

  3. Crafting Messages that Resonate (Or, the 5 “knows”)

  4. 1. Know Your Audience: WHO Who are you talking to about mental health and addiction? • Legislators • Congressional staff • Community stakeholders • Other important advocacy members

  5. 2. Know Your Audience: WHAT • What do they care about? • What are their goals? • What do they want to accomplish? • What are their pre-existing biases? • What constraints might they have?

  6. 3. Know Your Audience: WHEN • When will they be making decisions? • When should you weigh in?

  7. 4. Know Your ONE Top Goal • Change to federal law? • Revision of state regulations? • Other? “If you say three things, you say nothing.” - President Bill Clinton

  8. What Makes a Good “Ask?” • Specific • Framed as a yes/no option • Within the policymaker’s realm of influence

  9. Do’s and Don’ts Do say “Please vote YES on H.R. 1, to support the growth and sustainability of Clubhouses in our district.” Don’t say “Please keep Clubhouses in mind when you vote on this bill.”

  10. Hey, it’s ok… Say, “Can we count on you to support ______?”

  11. 5. Know Yourself

  12. Figure Out the Human Element • Why must your problem be solved? • What impact is it having on the community? • Can you quantify the impact? • What one story can you tell as an example? • How will your solution solve the problem?

  13. Tips for Telling Your Story to Congress • Start with the human impact • Explain impact on their district • Have a clear ask • Show legislators how THEY can make a difference AND… • Be honest • Be a good listener • Ask for support, don’t demand • Treat staff with respect • Show appreciation

  14. Questions?

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