4/14/2003
Note: For an outline on how to lobby NC legislators on a pro-life bill,
click here.
For do's and don'ts of effective email advocacy, click here.
For the pro-life
bills that need your support in 2003, click here.
If you've never "lobbied" at the Legislature, this is a great time to start! Phone calls are great, but a personal visit has much more impact than a phone call, perhaps 10 times as much!
North Carolina’s legislature is called the North Carolina General Assembly (NCGA). Legislators occupy two buildings in downtown Raleigh: the Legislative Building (“LB”), and the Legislative Office Building (“LOB”).
Appropriate dress at the Legislature is a suit, or a sports coat and tie, or a dress or skirt.
The ideal number of people to visit a legislator at once is two. Two sets of ears reduces the chance that you will mishear something important. Four or more people at one time is probably too many, because the legislator might feel "ganged up on" (and most of their offices are too small for that many people).
The appropriate conversational tone when lobbying at the Legislature is polite but strong and earnest concern. Do not let yourself get angry, and never be insulting or threatening.
Always be completely truthful and accurate. Never exaggerate. If you make a mistake, admit it immediately. If you later discover that something you told a legislator was incorrect, write or call him to correct your error. If your legislator asks you something that you do not know, say that you do not know but that you'll try to find out and get back with him, then do so. Your credibility is key to your effectiveness! Nothing will destroy your effectiveness like the dissemination of misinformation, whether accidental or purposeful.
If you are a constituent in that person's district, be sure and say so. If not, there's no need to mention that fact unless you are asked. (Tell the truth.)
If you know that the legislator you are lobbying has done something that you appreciate (perhaps last session), thank him for it. It enhances your effectiveness when he knows that you pay attention to what he does. (Don't bother to complain about what he has done wrong, unless you spoke with him about it before he did it. If you didn't tell him what you wanted him to do, you have no right to complain.)
Phrase your statements in such a way that you elicit a commitment. Do not simply express your opinion and accept sympathetic nods and polite conversation as "yes," lest he be able to say "I never promised" after doing the wrong thing. Try to get the legislator to tell you that he will do what you are asking. For example, instead of saying, "Please do xyz," say "Will you please do xyz?" or "Can I count on you do xyz?"
If necessary, be polite but be direct and persistent: if he says, "that seems reasonable" or "it sounds like a good idea," he has not promised you anything! Follow up by asking him, "then can I count on you to do xyz?"
If you get a commitment from him, thank him, saying, “I really appreciate that commitment" or "Thanks, I thought I could count on you" or whatever. Then move on in the conversation. There's no need to make him say it twice, if what he said was clear. Also, it is worthwhile to immediately drop a thank-you note in the mail, saying, "thank you for promising to do xyz."
If you feel too intimidated to lobby on your own, and you'd like company for your first "lobbying" visit to the Legislature, please call us. We can find someone to accompany you.
Often, the person you are trying to lobby will not be in, or will be too busy to meet with you. Be understanding: they have hectic and often-changing schedules. It may help to try to make an appointment in advance, by telephone. Do not miss your appointment, and do not be late. If you cannot make it, call to cancel it. Do not "stand up" the legislator.
If you have time to do so, you may want to stop by the Printed Bills office on the first floor of the Legislative building, to pick up a couple of copies of the bill. Just ask for them, they are free. The legislators should all have copies of the bill, but if you have a copy with you it may be handy when discussing the bill.
Bring a tablet of paper with you when lobbying at the Legislature. If the person you want to see is unavailable leave him a handwritten note saying something like, "Dear Rep. Xxx, I'm sorry that I did not find you in. I came by to ask you to do xyz. Will you please call me at xxx-xxxx? Thank you, -My Name"
For questions or suggestions regarding this document, please
contact Dave at 919-244-3316.