Lobbying Do's and Don'ts

Do

DO Identify yourself as a specialist in the field of sexual assault.
DO learn members' committee assignments and where their specialties lie.
DO present the need for what you are asking the Member to do. Use data or cases that you know.
DO tell what survivors need to have laws work better for them.
DO relate situations in their district.
DO tell how you are utilizing funds now.
DO ask the Representative or Senator's position and why.
DO tell what proposed legislation could do to help your clients.
DO — in case of voting records — ask why they voted a particular way.
DO show openness to the knowledge of counter-arguments and respond to them.
DO admit when you don't know. Offer to try to find out the answer and send information back to the office.
DO spend time with a Member whose position is against yours. You can lessen the intensity of the opposition and perhaps change it.
DO spend time developing a relationship with the Members' staff.
DO use the Legislative Agenda in your lobbying visit.
DO show how your program works together with those addressing related issues.

DON'T overload a visit with too many issues.
DON'T confront, threaten pressure or beg.
DON'T be argumentative. Speak with calmness and commitment so as not to put them on the defensive.
DON'T overstate the case. Members are very busy and you are apt to lose their attention if too wordy.
DON'T expect Members to be specialists. Their schedules and work loads tend to make them generalists.
DON'T be put off by smokescreens or long winded answers. Bring Members back to the point.
DON'T make promises you can't deliver.
DON'T shy away from meetings with legislators whose view is opposite your own.
DON'T be offended if a legislator is unable to meet and requests you meet with their staff.