ARTS DAY 2009

Tuesday, February 3
Olympia, WA

Meeting with Your Legislators

1. Appointments with Legislators are being made now by the Area Team Captains. A Prime Contact is designed for each group meeting. Please contact your Team Captain and let him/her know that you are planning to attend Arts Day, which Legislators you would like to visit and, if you are comfortable in the role as Prime Contact (if not already assigned).
   
   
2. Be on time, and yet be prepared to wait. If the legislator is tied up in session or in a meeting, they could be late, or you could end up speaking with a legislative aide. This can happen as a result of the day's schedule and should not be interpreted as a slight. Aides provide legislators with valuable advice and insight, so approach the meeting as if meeting with your legislator.
   
   
3. Be articulate and concise. In a group meeting there should be a designated Prime Contact.
   
   
4. Briefly introduce yourself and the constituency that you represent. You very likely represent more than one vote in this district. You may be able to say you are representing:
   
   • Colleagues in your organization
   • Board members
   • Members of your organization
   • Colleagues and friends in other organizations may want you to represent them if they cannot be at Arts Day-call around!
     
     
5. Deliver your message in a positive and helpful manner: The Arts are an integral component of healthy communities and the high quality of life we value in Washington State (or in your district). The Arts bring people together, strengthen our sense of community, enhance education and contribute to a healthy economy. A partnership that includes the public sector, private businesses, individual citizens, artists and arts organizations is necessary to ensure such arts experiences exist and that they are accessible to all Washingtonians. The investment the state of Washington makes in this partnership today will pay off for years to come.
   
   
6. Tie your message to the legislator's district, "The arts are good partners in building healthy communities, in your district, for example…" (Fill in with information about recent arts events or activities. Mention state funds if they were involved, but don't limit yourself. Use any great story about artistic excellence, community building, work with children, seniors, etc. Better yet, bring someone with you who has benefited from your programs and let them tell their own story.)
   
   
7. Listen! This is a dialogue. Your legislator may have questions, concerns, or may want to share his/her own story. If you don't know the answers to a question, tell them so, but offer to find out and get back to them with the answer quickly (and be sure to do it).
   
   
8. Remember the purpose of your visit is to build bridges, not to burn them. You are there as a reliable information source about the arts in your legislator's community. Stay calm if an insensitive question is asked. Your Prime Contact will be there to assist in keeping the conversation productive and amicable.
   
   
9. Present them with your Arts Gift and thank them for taking time out of their busy schedule to meet with you.
   
   
10. Keep the door open for further discussion. Even if a legislator seems to be leaning against your positions, don't write him/her off. Consider your meeting an investment that may pay off in the future.
    
    
11. Follow up your visit. Send a thank you note outlining the points you made, answering any questions you couldn't respond to in your meeting and noting any agreement or understanding about the issue(s). Thank the legislator for her/his time and support.
    
    
12. Add your legislators to your mailing and PR lists! Invite them to special events or programs when the legislature is not in session. Keeping elected officials informed of your activities year-round is definitely worth the effort.