Cultivate your Champions Build Relationships

Goal Find a Champion(s) to sponsor and advocate for your bill Build a relationship that lasts – You want them to trust you – Rely on you for information and advise – You want to trust them

Who should it be? Think strategically Senate or House The power of the “home district” Playing offense or defense

Start as early as possible... But think strategically Educate them about your intentions and issues Learn about their issues and concerns Find out what they are going to need from you – Explicit – Implicit Active listening is crucial Build trust

Where to start What resources do you already have – Who already has a relationship? – Can you get an introduction? Decide who in the “coalition” will be the main contacts – Make sure everyone is on the same page – A great reason to get an informal coalition together

Goals of any meeting Build a relationship of trust Make an “Ask” Gather information

Meeting with potential champions Home office or DC Make a meeting— – Find out who the staff person who works on public lands or environment is – Ideally that’s your person – Try to meet with the same staffer—build a relationship Do not be disappointed if you are meeting with staff not their “Boss”

Be prepared Develop key points Make it short and sweet—time is precious Frame it—make it as simple as possible – But be accurate – Be as technical as the staffer or member You want to communicate; not impress them with your knowledge Have the elevator speech ready!

Keep it Civil & Build Credibility: Don’t Assume you know their position Lie or misrepresent anything Threaten to not support Talk about election politics Get angry Be hostile (“You work for me!”) Have too much information Fail to treat everyone with respect Gossip or speak ill of the meeting—it will get back Make unwarranted inferences – If they are late, cut meeting short, there are interruptions, etc.

Be Professional & Build Relationships: Do Make an appointment—Be on time! Thank them (begin and end) Dress the part Match their energy Be clear about what you want—a wilderness bill Be honest—if you don’t know something say so Acknowledge opposition to you position Be cordial to everyone in the office Ask questions Establish next steps (set follow-up appointments) Follow through—send “thank you” note with summary of meeting – Do what you said you would--build relationship Remember you represent all of us

Ask questions! They should talk as much as you—sometimes more You need to know their concerns and issues You are finding out what they need from you

More things to Do Find out if they know about the area(s) in question – Have they been there? Do they like the outdoors? Invite them to the area? – Think this through – Plan it strategically – Media or not

Work together Keep lines of communication open – But don’t be needy Coordinate efforts with your champion Make sure they know what you are up – How are you cultivating other supporters— (especially on the hill) What help can they offer back home – Can you say that they support the bill when talking to locals (especially local elected officials)