[keltic63]

Originally Posted by Zerbie

I can try. . . though I've only ever done one lobby meeting (for ENDA and hate crimes.) The meeting was not with the legislator, it was with staffers.

What I did for my (so far, only) lobby meeting was print out a list of important facts and "talking points" so that I would have them in my hand if, in the pressure of the moment and my nervousness at the new situation I forgot anything, the info was all right there in my folder. Info included statistics on percentages of people who supported our legislation, organizations who endorsed it, and such like. More important, imo, was the list of reasons why our legislation was needed. I also included a bulleted list of rebuttal points to arguments against our position that I anticipated might be made. I tried to think of every opposition statement I could, but even so, the staffers raised an opposing point that I had not considered. I think that's going to happen - you try to prepare for everything, but they're always likely to throw something new at you.

If, like me, you walk out of that meeting and hours later you think, "OH, I should have said X Y and Z. . . !!" there's a simple solution. Type and mail a thank you note, thanking the legislator for their time. In your thank you note, state "In addition to what we discussed on Tuesday, another important point to consider is Point X, because of Reason Y, therefore I hope you will support Conclusion Z. Again, thank you for your time on Tuesday. Respectfully, Keltic63."

Thanks Zerbie! I just got an appt with my state representative. the House of Reps is discussing a bill that will add orientation, gender expression, and gender identity, to our existing Human Rights laws (anti-discrimination) The appt isn't as soon as I'd like it to be, but I do have the one! w00t!