BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS
WITH YOUR LEGISLATORS
eryone realizes that the effectiveness of your
Become a fountain of facts. Know the specifics
work often depends on the quality of your
needed to accomplish the goal curing myeloma and
Erelationships, like the bond you form with relatedissues.Alsobeawareoftheadvocacyplat-
your myeloma care providers. It is similar with
form and important issues identified by the IMF, as a
elected officials, as you must develop relationships
coordinated effort is needed to accomplish these
with legislators and their staffs long before you turn
goals for curing myeloma.
to them for assistant on an important issue you care
about. Strong interpersonal relationships are the best
Phases for relationship-building for effective legislative
means of influencing legislative decision making. Per-
advocacy include:
sonal visits, letters, phone calls, faxes, filling out web-
site forms and e-mails also are important, especially
1. Write and/or call legislators on current issues.
when they come from constituents who are well-
known, highly regarded, and have gone out of their
2. Make personal visits either in Washington, D.C.,
way to be helpful in a variety of ways in the past.
your state capitol, or in the home district offices
Building these relationships takes time and effort, but
on current issues or broad problems.
it's the most effective way to shape the thinking of
those who shape public policy.
3. Organize group visits on issues of mutual impor-
tance.
So how do you go about building these strong rela-
tionships with legislators? In much the same ways as
4. Invite legislators to support group meeting to
you cultivate friendships: by being personable and
learn more about the latest research and issues
helpful. Being helpful to a legislator cannot be over-
facing myeloma patients today. These events
emphasized. Become a useful and trustworthy
might result in legislators becoming a cancer ad-
source of sound information on issues impacting
vocate.
myeloma patients. Utilize your unique insight as a
cancer survivor, family member or caregiver to pro-
5. Get personally involved politically in legislators'
vide elected officials with contributions of your time
campaigns and the activities of your political par-
to help them with their own professional and political
ty.
needs and interests. Party affiliation (Democrat, In-
dependent or Republican) should not restrict you or
IMF is seeking your help in advocating for the pre-
your efforts as elected officeholders represents an
vention of and a cure for myeloma. Specifically, here
entire state, legislative district, or local government
are some ways you can work with IMF staff to build
and all the voters in those jurisdictions, You don't
relationships at the federal level:
have to be a member of the legislator's political party
1. Develop relationships with your elected officials
to work together and even to become friends.
so they can use you as a reliable and authorita-
tive source on myeloma issues.
Be sure to do some homework about the key issues
your elected officials are interested in and working
2. Participate with IMF in advocacy activities and
on currently. Try to tie in personal connections or
with other coalitions who are on similar missions
interests when speaking with elected officials whose
to cure cancer and approve health status.
opinion you are trying to influence with your facts
and personal story. Additionally treat their staff with
3. Where appropriate, provide financial support for
the same importance as the elected official as staff
legislators' campaigns by making individual
can hold valuable sway with their boss and influence
contributions.
your relationship and success on issues.
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These steps will progressively build your credibility
5. When talking to legislators, try to be concise, well
with the officeholder. Establishing a reputation as an
organized, and mindful of the other person's time.
objective data source, for example, builds credibility
State your view firmly, but be attentive to the
for subsequent communications expressing opinions
elected official's position also.
on issues. Political activity establishes you as a friend
whose views are likely to receive more weight than
6. Open the discussion by reminding the legislators
those of someone who writes from time to time.
who you are and why IMF and you are seeking
assistance related to curing myeloma. If your visit
PERSONAL VISITS
is about a specific piece of legislation, know the is-
Personal meetings with legislators and their key staff
sue and the bill number. Clearly state your con-
members are the most effective way to make your
cern about the issue, how it will affect you perso-
case on an issue. Such visits also are a good way to
nally and others in your similar situation, their fam-
introduce you as a constituent. A personal meeting
ilies, caregivers, etc. Avoid harsh accusations. Be
can be difficult to accomplish with the elected officials
polite and respectful. Often, we forget how we
themselves, but remember that you are offering an
sound when we are particularly passionate about
important contact. You can arrange the meeting with
an issue.
the legislator directly or through staff aides.
7. Always be truthful and never mislead. Your per-
The following suggestions will help make the best
sonal credibility and that of IMF is at stake. If you
use of your time and the legislators:
don't have the answer to a question, do not im-
provise. Promise to get back to them with the ne-
1. Always make an appointment. Arranging the first
cessary information, and be sure to do so
meeting may require patience on your part, but
promptly.
be persistent. Later, as you become known as a
resource, gaining appointments will be less diffi-
8. Come prepared with a brief (one-page) position
cult. This situation will occur especially if you also
paper that summarizes your points with facts, and
become known as a campaign contributor, poli-
leave it behind with the legislators or staff aides. If
tical activist, or myeloma leader who can muster
a lengthier document, or answers to questions, is
support on the issues from a variety of groups
relevant, send them later with a thank-you for
through your coalition activities.
taking the time to meet with you.
2. Be prepared to meet with key legislative person-
9. To gain a favorable vote, follow up with letter(s)
nel or committee staff members if the legislator is
and calls to legislators and their key staff advisors
unavailable at the last moment. Briefing these
at appropriate points as the issue progresses.
people before your visit also may be useful so that
they can prepare the legislator. Staff aides are of-
10. Maintain the relationship. Get your name on
ten more knowledgeable about details of a spe-
legislative e-mail lists. Find occasions to see the
cific issue than lawmakers themselves.
legislators again in appropriate circumstances,
and write to them on the issues from time to
3. If several individuals join you in the visit, decide
time. If you obtain reports or data that will be
in advance who will be the principal spo-
useful to legislators and their aides and that you
kesperson. That individual, of course, should
can share with them, send those documents
encourage others to participate in the discussion
with a brief personal cover note. Eventually,
to share particular expertise or experiences.
you may even find the legislator coming to you
for information, help, or your point of view on
4. If you want to discuss a specific issue, make sure
new issues.
you are thoroughly familiar with all aspects of it
before going into the meeting.
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