BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS
WITH YOUR LEGISLATORS
veryone realizes that the effec-
lator's political party to work together
tiveness of your work often depends
and even to become friends.
Eonthequalityofyourrelationships,
like the bond you form with your myelo-
Be sure to do some homework about the
ma care providers. It is similar with
key issues your elected officials are inter-
elected officials, as you must develop re-
ested in and working on currently. Try to
lationships with legislators and their staffs
tie in personal connections or interests
long before you turn to them for assis-
when speaking with elected officials
tance on an important issue you care
whose opinion you are trying to influence
about. Strong interpersonal relationships
with your facts and personal story. Addi-
are the best means of influencing legisla-
tionally, treat their staff with the same im-
tive decision making. Personal visits, let-
portance as the elected official as staff
ters, phone calls, faxes, filling out website
can hold valuable sway with their boss
forms and e-mails also are important, es-
and influence your relationship and suc-
pecially when they come from constit-
cess on issues.
uents who are well-known, highly re-
garded, and have gone out of their way
Become a fountain of facts. Know the
to be helpful in a variety of ways in the
specifics needed to accomplish the goal
past. Building these relationships takes
curing myeloma and related issues. Also
time and effort, but it's the most effective
be aware of the advocacy platform and
way to shape the thinking of those who
important issues identified by the IMF, as
shape public policy.
a coordinated effort is needed to ac-
complish these goals for curing myeloma.
So how do you go about building these
strong relationships with legislators? In
Phases for relationship-building for effec-
much the same ways as you cultivate
tive legislative advocacy include:
friendships: by being personable and
helpful. Being helpful to a legislator can-
1. Write and/or call legislators on current
not be over-emphasized. Become a use-
issues.
ful and trustworthy source of sound infor-
mation on issues impacting myeloma pa-
2. Make personal visits either in Wash-
tients. Utilize your unique insight as a can-
ington, D.C., your state capitol, or in
cer survivor, family member or caregiver
the home district offices on current is-
to provide elected officials with contribu-
sues or broad problems.
tions of your time to help them with their
own professional and political needs and
3. Organize group visits on issues of mu-
interests. Party affiliation (Democrat, In-
tual importance.
dependent or Republican) should not re-
strict you or your efforts, as elected of-
4. Invite legislators to support group
ficeholders represent an entire state, leg-
meeting to learn more about the lat-
islative district, or local government and
est research and issues facing myelo-
all the voters in those jurisdictions, You
ma patients today. These events
don't have to be a member of the legis-
might result in legislators becoming a
cancer advocate.
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1. Always make an appointment. Arrang-
5. Get personally involved politically in
ing the first meeting may require pati-
legislators' campaigns and the activi-
ence on your part, but be persistent.
ties of your political party.
Later, as you become known as a re-
source, gaining appointments will be
IMF is seeking your help in advocating for
less difficult. This situation will occur es-
the prevention of and a cure for myelo-
pecially if you also become known as
ma. Specifically, here are some ways you
a campaign contributor, political activ-
can work with IMF staff to build re-
ist, or myeloma leader who can muster
lationships at the federal level:
support on the issues from a variety of
groups through your coalition activities.
1. Develop
relationships
with
your
elected officials so they can use you
2. Be prepared to meet with key legisla-
as a reliable and authoritative source
tive personnel or committee staff
on myeloma issues.
members if the legislator is unavailable
at the last moment. Briefing these peo-
2. Participate with IMF in advocacy ac-
ple before your visit also may be useful,
tivities and with other coalitions who
so that they can prepare the legislator.
are on similar missions to cure cancer
Staff aides are often more knowledge-
and approve health status.
able about details of a specific issue
than lawmakers themselves.
3. Where appropriate, provide financial
support for legislators' campaigns by
3. If several individuals join you in the visit,
making individual contributions.
decide in advance who will be the
These steps will progressively build your
principal spokesperson. That individual,
credibility with the officeholder. Establish-
of course, should encourage others to
ing a reputation as an objective data
participate in the discussion to share
source, for example, builds credibility for
particular expertise or experiences.
subsequent communications expressing
opinions on issues. Political activity estab-
4. If you want to discuss a specific issue,
lishes you as a friend whose views are like-
make sure you are thoroughly familiar
ly to receive more weight than those of
with all aspects of it before going into
someone who writes from time to time.
the meeting.
P
5. When talking to legislators, try to be
ERSONAL VISITS
concise, well-organized, and mindful of
Personal meetings with legislators and
the other person's time. State your view
their key staff members are the most ef-
firmly, but be attentive to the elected
fective way to make your case on an is-
official's position also.
sue. Such visits also are a good way to
introduce you as a constituent. A per-
6. Open the discussion by reminding the
sonal meeting can be difficult to accom-
legislators who you are and why IMF
plish with the elected officials themselves,
and you are seeking assistance related
but remember that you are offering an
to curing myeloma. If your visit is about
important contact. You can arrange the
a specific piece of legislation, know the
meeting with the legislator directly or
issue and the bill number. Clearly state
through staff aides.
your concern about the issue, how it
will affect you personally and others in
The following suggestions wil help make
your similar situation, their families, ca-
the best use of your time and the legisla-
regivers, etc. Avoid harsh accusations.
tors:
Be polite and respectful. Often, we for-
4
get how we sound when we are par-
ticularly passionate about an issue.
7. Always be truthful and never mislead.
Your personal credibility and that of
IMF is at stake. If you don't have the
answer to a question, do not improvise.
Promise to get back to them with the
necessary information, and be sure to
do so promptly.
8. Come prepared with a brief (one-
page) position paper that summarizes
your points with facts, and leave it be-
hind with the legislators or staff aides. If
a lengthier document, or answers to
questions, is relevant, send them later
with a thank-you for taking the time to
meet with you.
9. To gain a favorable vote, fol ow up
with letter(s) and calls to legislators
and their key staff advisors at appro-
priate points as the issue progresses.
10. Maintain the relationship. Get your
name on legislative e-mail lists. Find
occasions to see the legislators again
in appropriate circumstances, and
write to them on the issues from time
to time. If you obtain reports or data
that will be useful to legislators and
their aides and that you can share
with them, send those documents
with a brief personal cover note.
Eventually, you may even find the
legislator coming to you for informa-
tion, help, or your point of view on
new issues.
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