Guidelines for Meeting
with Your Representative or Senator

1.  Setting Up the Meeting

·        Contact your state representative/state senator's office at the State House or in their district offices.

·        Explain the purpose of the meeting is to exchange views on the MCAS test and the MCAS graduation requirement

·        Indicate the length of the meeting will be approximately 1/2 hour and, if meeting in the district, provide the location.

·        Time is of the essence because we want the legislature to take action on this issue as soon as possible.  Try to see your legislator(s) the week of February 10 or no later than the end of February.

2. Goals of the Meeting

·        To invite legislators to meet with their constituents who can help offer real solutions while establishing a basis for an ongoing dialogue

     To ascertain the knowledge and position of legislators with respect to

the MCAS.

3. Initial Message

·        Parents, teachers and informed citizens in the Legislator’s district are deeply concerned about the effect of the MCAS, particularly the effect of the MCAS graduation requirement, on students in the district, as well as the effect on educators and the schools.  We are asking that legislators vote to repeal the MCAS graduation requirement as soon as possible.

4. Who Should be at the Meeting?

·        Constituents of the legislator who are interested and knowledgeable about the issue and/or those who have an individual story to share, as a parent, teacher school official or administrator, or even as an affected student. 

·        Do NOT invite the press to the meeting.

·        Hold a pre-meeting prior to meeting with the legislator to review the agenda and make sure that everyone understands the issues and roles the active participants and spokespeople will play.

5. Meeting Etiquette - Building a Relationship

·        Designate one person to chair the meeting who will be responsible for starting and ending the meeting on time, keeping to the agenda, leading the post-meeting discussion and collecting evaluations from all in attendance.

6. 10 Tips for Successful Lobbying

 
·        Do your homework on issues to be discussed.

·        Be friendly, but issue-oriented.

·        "Localize" your arguments (tell your own stories to illustrate the need to repeal the MCAS
graduation requirement).

·        Ask for clarification when you are not sure what the legislator is saying.
·        Don't argue, just present your rationale clearly and honestly.
·        Don't make indirect threats or promises.
·        Don't compromise your position or make concessions.
·        Don't open old wounds.  Deal with the current issues.

7. Meeting Agenda

       Welcome the legislator.

       Introductions. 

       Purpose of the meeting 

To provide a two-way opportunity to learn more about the issue of the MCAS test and the MCAS graduation requirement.

Issues Discussion/Talking Points

It is wrong to limit the life opportunities of so many young people based on the results of a single test.  It is bad for these students, it is bad for our society and it is bad for education.

(See, Talking Points In Opposition to the MCAS High School Graduation Requirement, included in the packet)

The Question - After you have presented your case, be sure to ask the legislator whether or not he or she will vote to repeal the MCAS graduation requirement.  Listen carefully to the answer and take notes if you need to, but do not fill out the form in front of the legislator.

Be sure to clarify the answer, but do not be dismayed if the legislator says he or she has not yet decided.  This means that this legislator is a potential vote for our position and should be on our priority list.

Conclusion 

Whatever happens during the meeting, be sure to thank the legislator for his/her time.

Follow Up

A follow up letter or email to again thank the legislator for her time and to confirm her positions (if it was positive) and/or to send additional information that the legislator requested would be appropriate and helpful.

8.   What Can Go Wrong?

To help you anticipate some of the things that can go wrong and what to do about them, a few typical situations that might occur are outlined below.  Be on the lookout for them and politely interrupt in order to cover the meeting agenda within the time scheduled.

·        The Legislative Filibuster

Rather than coming to listen, the legislator attempts to dominate the meeting with his/her thoughts and positions.

·        Personal Attack

A frustrated participant in the meeting vents with an attack on the legislature or an individual legislator.

·        The Expert

A participant or legislator who pontificates at length about his/her view of the issues in a "know-it-all" manner.

·        The Story Teller

A participant or legislator who misses the point and/or tells an off-the-point story in detail.
 

9.   Legislative Meeting Report Form