Meeting with Legislators

While face to face meetings may take more time to plan and follow up, they are the most effective way to communicate. The following organizations provide tips for meeting with legislators:

• American Library Association—Ways to Communicate
• National Council of State Directors of Adult Education—Guidelines for Advocacy
• Pennsylvania Association for Adult and Continuing Education—Stand Up and Be Counted

The Stand Up and Be Counted guide, in particular, provides in-depth information on preparing for the meeting, scheduling, researching, planning what and who to bring, what to say, and tips for follow up.

The ALA also provides a useful tool called Pocket Checklists that may be helpful when preparing for a meeting with your legislator (and to take with you!).

Scheduling a Meeting with Your Congressman on Even Start
This resource outlines quick steps for scheduling a meeting with your Member of Congress (MoC) while he or she is home on Congressional recess. It offers links to Congressional calendars and MoC’s contact information, and it suggests alternatives, should your MoC not be available for a meeting.

Program Visits

Many programs invite their legislators to the program when they are home on recess. Check the Congressional calendar to find out when legislators will be home and invite them to meet with adult learners and program staff. Carefully prepare for the program visit. See Building Relationships with Elected Officials Through Program Visits
to learn about one program’s experience setting up and hosting program visits with legislators.

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