NAMI Smarts for Advocacy: Meeting Your Policymaker Module Three NAMI Smarts for Advocacy Rev May 2012

Ground Rules Participate fully Help keep us on time To help everyone get the most out of this training, we ask you to agree to the following: Participate fully Help keep us on time Turn off cell phone

Agenda Why meetings are important Tips for meeting with legislators Note: This training builds on skills from NAMI Smarts: Telling Your Story Why meetings are important Tips for meeting with legislators Listen to an example meeting What makes a meeting “work” Prepare for a meeting Practice a one-on-one meeting Practice a group meeting

Why meet your legislator? Because meetings build support for mental health issues.

Help you make a connection In-person meetings… Help you make a connection

But, some meetings make a stronger impression than others.

We’ll start with some tips… Know your issue

Tip #2 Know your legislator

Tip #3 Plan your meeting

Tip #4 Nudge, don’t push

Use person-first language Tip #5 Use person-first language

Tip #6 Manage spin

Tip #7 Expect resistance Don’t argue, don’t react

Tip #8 Facts support, stories move

With our tips in mind, let’s get started… Listen to our sample meeting Notice the roles people play Notice where you hear the “tips” in action

Let’s look at what made our sample meeting work… Find your Checklist for Meeting Your Legislator What did you observe during the demo?

The Briefing Sheet Know your issue Describe the problem Identify a solution Make your “ask” Good to know: Key players and where the action is

The Backgrounder Know your elected official How long in office? What committees? What is their background? Do you have anything in common? What are their key issues?

The Meeting Roles The “lead” The “messenger” The “storyteller” In a one-on-one meeting, one constituent fills all three roles In a two-on-one meeting, one constituent fills two roles, the other fills one role

Plan your meeting… Find your Meeting Plan sheet Using the Briefing Sheet as your scenario, script out your meeting Add a highlight from your own story or experience

Practice a one-on-one meeting… Find a partner Using your scripts, take turns playing the part of a legislator and constituent

Plan a two-on-one meeting… With your partner, divide up the three roles Note which script or parts of your scripts you will use in a two-on-one meeting

Practice a two-on-one meeting… Find another pair to practice with One pair will play the role of legislator and his/her staff; other pair plays part of two constituents

What did you learn?

The Follow Up Writing a thank you… Makes a good impression Gives you another opportunity to advocate

What did you discover today? Congratulations! What did you discover today?

Please turn in your evaluation form We value your feedback Please turn in your evaluation form

Authors Angela Kimball Valerie Hunter NAMI National Consultant for Organizational Learning vhunter@nami.org