The Ten Commandments of Communication with Policy Makers
1. BE HONEST – Be straightforward in presenting your view. Give both sides of the issue. Do not imply facts or authority that you do not possess.
2. BE INTERESTED - Know your policy maker. Familiarize yourself with her specialized interests. Meet the staff. Keep in frequent and friendly contact. Ask to be placed on the constituent newsletter mailing list.
3. BE CONSTRUCTIVE – Don’t just condemn a proposal, but show specifically how it can be improved. Demonstrate a willingness to compromise if compromise can be found and take positive, as well as negative, stands onissues.
4. BE ALERT AND IMAGINATIVE – Sell your position through messages that capture public attention. Be dramatic. Capitalize on news events that pertain to your issue. Use all the media available to you, ie. letters to the editor or a call-in radio program.
5. BE COOPERATIVE – Coordinate your advocacy activities with other groups or organizations that may share your interests. Keep abreast of legislation in other states, plus national studies affecting your industry.
6. PROVIDE INFORMATION – Give your policy maker fact sheets, background studies, position papers and similar research that tells how a proposal affects you. Then provide information on how it affects the public and/or your industry. KEEP IT BRIEF! If the policy maker wants more, she’ll ask for it.
7. PRACTICE WHAT YOU PREACH – Your words are worthless if your acts contradict them.
8. BE PROFESSIONAL – Don’t threaten your policy maker if she disagrees with you. By the same token, never hint at rewards for her support. Never get angry, and never try to “get even.”
9. AVOID STANDARDIZATION – Do no use form letters provided by your associates. Send original letters in your own words.
10. REMEMBER TO SAY ‘THANK YOU’ – After an issue has been resolved, send a note of appreciation to your policy maker acknowledging her time and effort on your behalf. Do this regardless of the extent of the effort. Give the policy maker the benefit of the doubt.
REMEMBER: Doors can be closed to you just as easily as they can be opened.
Oklahoma Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies
