Tips On Meeting Your MP

From Fair Copyright Toronto

Remember that these are just suggestions - nothing catastrophic will happen if you disagree with or forget some of them.

1. Be prepared for a shorter meeting than you planned. Legislators and their aides are busy, and they purposely schedule meetings where they arrive late and leave early.
2. Provide the names and affiliations of all attendees in advance in a confirmation letter or email.
3. Pump yourself up! Get excited.
4. Arrive early. Dress appropriately. Show respect.
5. Dont be intimidated. These are public servants, and you represent the public.
6. Speak so all can hear and at a clipped rate. Sit and stand erect. Use gestures, facial expressions and eye contact. Have fun!
7. Begin by introducing everyone in the room. Introduce yourself even if you've met them before—they meet a lot of people.
8. Feel free to engage in small talk, but remember that you have a finite amount of time, so don't get carried away.
9. Start off on a positive note. Find some previous action of theirs that you support, or thank them for a supporting vote in the past.
10. State the reason you are there and what you want. What do they want? What will your opponents be saying? Why are they wrong? We are advocates. We are expected to be advocates. Advocate!
11. Unless you've had previous dealings with this office, expect that they know nothing about the topic and about our stance. Point out examples of how the problem affects real people.
12. Try to limit it to three points. Don't try to articulate technical data. Leave behind information that can fill them in.
13. Keep the discussion focused.
14. Mention other organizations, important individuals, government officials and legislators who support our position.
15. Stick to what you know. If they ask you a question and you dont know the answer, thats ok! Offer to get back to them with the answer.
16. Listen. Don't interrupt. Ask clarifying questions. Be polite. Remember, you are there to provide them with information and also to ask for their assistance.
17. Ask them if they have questions.
18. If the lawmaker is not on our side, ask why. It is appropriate to ask what it would take for them to change their mind. Make a note of their concerns and/or reservations so you can respond to them in a follow up communication, if necessary.
19. Offer to gather additional information. (Delivering the material may give you the opportunity to speak with the lawmaker again.)
20. Set future dates, times, and locations of any follow up.
21. End the conversation on a positive note. Thank them for their time. Ask that you be included in future discussions on this topic.
22. One member of the group should be assigned to send a thank you note. If possible, everyone should send one.