Do: Schedule an appointment well in advance of the proposed time by contacting the legislator’s scheduler or LeadingAge California Policy Communications Coordinator Tyler Cobb for assistance.

Don’t: Refuse to meet with staff if the legislator is unavailable. Members rely on their staff for policy recommendations. These recommendations are based on the pros, cons, proponents, opponents, and impact of a given bill, which your meeting can influence.

Do: Learn as much as possible about the member including but not limited to their committee assignments, voting history, and specialties prior to meeting.

Don’t: Make assumptions about what the member already knows about your issue area. Be prepared to provide a brief background of the issue facing your industry. LeadingAge can provide talking points prior to your meeting.

Do: Convey that you are a constituent and/or you operate within their district. Share need-to-know information regarding your property, community, or business. Provide your legislator or staff with resources (photos, links to website, etc.) for them to get a better idea of who you are and what you do.

Don’t: Discuss campaign contributions with your Legislator or members of their staff. Limit conversation to policy related issues and their impact on your residents or business.

Do: Provide brief explanation of the issue and the desired outcome (introducing or cosponsoring a bill, signing a letter, voting for an amendment, etc.). Relate the issue back to the member’s district. Replace industry terminology with layman’s terms where possible.

Don’t: Try to address all issues facing your industry. Meetings with legislators and their staff typically last 30 minutes. Maintain focus on two or three major points of interest.

Do: Use data or cases to support your case. Be clear and concise.

Don’t: Overstate your issue by rambling during the meeting. This will limit your time to hear from the member.

Do: Send a thank-you letter for the member or staff’s time.

Don’t: Hesitate to reach out to a member of their staff with future questions. Once you determine who handles the policy area that impacts you in their office, email that point person moving forward instead of a general inbox.