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Effectively Connecting with Legislators

Facts make you credible. Stories make you memorable.

Direct communication with decision-makers can be a powerful, cost-effective advocacy tool. This may be done through emails, phone calls, social media, in-person meetings, and letters.

Find Your Legislators

Be Prepared

• Just as your time is limited, so is a legislator’s. Know the bill number and issues. Have facts and stories ready.

Identify Yourself

• Introduce yourself as a nurse and a voter from a specific city or county. Keep in mind, you are speaking on behalf of yourself as a nurse, not as a lobbyist for any organization.

Keep it Simple

• State your position clearly and succinctly. Expect questions and be responsive, not argumentative. It is alright to say, “I don’t know the answer” and offer to get the information as quickly as possible. Always follow up with the legislator.
• Stay on target. Restrict yourself from bringing up other issues and focus on the issue at hand. If possible, get a commitment.

Facts and Figures

• Facts and figures are useful but use numbers carefully – using too many it can overload and confuse your audience.
• Balance statistics with stories that convey the message.

Using Research

• Using action-oriented and up-to-date research is a crucial way of showing decision makers and the broader public why an action is needed. It helps with credibility and confidence and adds weight to your argument.
• It is often beneficial to use research to make positive recommendations and proposals, and to cite examples of good practice.
• Research produced by your audience, such as a government or health body, will be a particularly powerful way of strengthening your messages and arguments.

Real-life Stories

• Remember that you are competing for attention in order to create support for change. It is often crucial to capture hearts first, then minds. Real-life stories and your messaging are keyways to achieve this.