Legal
Perspectives on Parenting©
by Nancy Lambert Davenport


Nancy Davenport's Column:
For Richardson News 06-25-00
Copyright Nancy Lambert Davenport 2000


"Tips gathered at legislative 'boot camp'"


Most of us, at one time or another, find ourselves reading the newspaper and making remarks like these:

  • "Someone should do something to stop that." or
  • "I can't believe he got away with that." or
  • "I wish the people in Washington (or Austin) would pass a law about that."

    Most of us do a lot of talking along that line, but seldom do we follow through and act. It's sad because those people, from whom they do hear in Washington or Austin, are listened to-if they do it right.

    I recently went to a "legislative boot camp" at the Arc of Dallas. Their suggestions on how to best contact our legislators apply to any subject we might want to address. This is the suggested order of things if we want to visit our legislator about an issue:

    1. Ideally meet with the legislator in person or at least a representative of that person.
      Make an appointment well in advance, be on time, and be brief-ten minutes, max.
    2. Greet them with thanks for something they have done right. Do a little homework.
    3. Give your name, whom you represent if appropriate, where you live, and tell them whether you live in their district.
      They like to hear from constituents.
    4. Tell a small bit about yourself (your story briefly-remember you want to limit your time to ten minutes,total and stick to it) and why the issue is important to you. Information that might otherwise be boring comes alive when included in a personal story.
    5. Be very specific about what you want the legislator to do.
    6. Have your concerns prepared in writing as well.
      Leave a copy along with basic information about your issue.
    7. Thank them for their time and leave without lingering.

    The Boot camp also had some hints to help it go smoothly:

    1. Practice (role play) your presentation. Have a dress rehearsal.
    2. Don't try to talk to the legislator when he or she is obviously in a hurry. In other words, it is a waste of your time
      (and his or hers) to catch him or her walking down the hall or in the parking lot.
    3. Don't go in with a smorgasbord of issues.
      Pick one and stick to the subject.
    4. Don't use acronyms or jargon. They won't be able to follow your thoughts.
    5. Avoid venting.
    6. Talk to the staff as well as the legislator.
    7. Follow up with a thank you note and request for feedback.

    This is a simple and basic technique which legislative assistants and lobbyists, who have been doing it and hearing it for years, gave us. The hardest part is picking up the phone and making an appointment.

    For information on legislation or to find out who your representatives are in Washington and Austin, check the web at congress.org  and capitol.state.tx.us  at your leisure.




    Return to  Top of Page
    Return to  Table of Contents
    Return to  Home Page

    Nancy Lambert Davenport
    EMAIL: ndavenport@ticnet.com
    URL: http://www.nancyldavenport.com