THE DEMOCRACY CONVENTION - DAY 4

The following was a highlight from onE of yesterday's workshops/symposiums, entitled "Engaging State Legislatures in Move To Amend", delivered by Lee Ketelson, Kaja Rebane, and Mark Halvorson. They did a wonderful job of helping attendees understand how to best tackle working with your state legislators. It includes tips from former Representative Bill Hilty. Here is a top ten list of what to, from that seminar (This list is, stricktly, my interpretation of what transpired) :

THE TOP TEN THINGS MOVE TO AMEND MEMBERS SHOULD DO TO BEST ENGAGE THEIR STATE LEGISLATURE!

1. Carefully choose who your chief author is.

2. Develop a solid relationship with the majority, minority leadership, and all committee chairs.

3. Know your opposition so you are prepared to address the points that may, or may not arise.

4. Know what your bottom line is. Especially those who are not supportive of your position will surely, explore that line.

5. Know your organizational strengths, and weaknesses, as that will help you develop your bottom line and help you know what you can, or cannot, threaten/cajole to those legislators you are working with.

6. Be strategic about picking your partnerships as not to step on the toes of fellow oranizors and fellow members.

7. Don’t take our supporters for granted. "Thank you's", and repeated "thank you's", of your legislators, and fellow members will pay dividends in the end.

8. List your access to your legislators so that it can be shared with fellow members.

9. Know that legislators almost always make up their minds before the committee hearings and committee votes. Spending time, effort, and money, aligning people to address committee meetings may be better spent before those hearings and meetings.

10. In person contact is best. Remember that the time and effort you take in addressing our legislator, the more impact you will have. Robin and Laird Monahan (Robin Monahan attend this session) gained tremendous capital due to the time and effort the put into their efforts. Personal letters are better than emails but every contact can be the contact that made the difference.

The spirit of Bill Hilty was called upon several times during this session. Bill's favorite quote was read, and discussed: "Once you know something, you can not unknow it. It is a burden that can never be given away." That is a quote from Alice Hoffman that emphasizes that people who know something, and fail to act, sit on their hands, are just as much of an activist, through their inactivity, as those who carry signs in protest…perhaps they are even more effective!