Representative Rachel Storch, a member of the Missouri Arts Council, gives tips on grassroots advocacy.

1. Stay Informed on the Issues – The Missouri House and Senate convene for the regular legislative session every year between January and May. During this time, the Legislature is making important decisions on legislation that may have a direct impact on you and your organization. You can’t lobby what you don’t know!  Stay abreast of the issues through the local media.

2. Get Personally Acquainted with Your Legislators – Make it your business to become personally acquainted with your senator and representative. Take a sincere interest in them and get to know their political philosophies.  You should also identify the legislators who may have extra impact on your issues (for arts supporters, this often means the members of the Budget Committee!).  Focus on these legislators and your own legislators first.

3. Get on Your Legislator’s Mailing List – Then you will receive newsletters and other communications from your legislator’s office.

4. Express Yourself – Surprisingly few people ever contact their legislators. This reluctance usually results from the belief that legislators have no time or inclination to answer their phones or read their mail, and that one single contact won’t make any difference anyway. In most cases, these views are wrong. Thoughtful, factual, persuasive contacts can change legislators’ minds and cause them to review their positions. Be sure to have accurate facts and good arguments about any issues you discuss with your legislators. Make sure you understand the particular bill in question.

5. Use the Local Media – Schedule meetings with the editorial board members or staff of your local newspaper to discuss legislative issues and positions. Schedule sessions on local television and radio shows to discuss the legislative issues and the impact to your city. Invite your legislators to participate in this event.6. Find your allies and identify your opposition – Build coalitions with other organizations and people who share your goals and objectives. Find out who’s likely to be against you on an issue, and determine whether there is any common ground.

7. Prepare, prepare, prepare – You are presenting a “case” to a difficult jury. If you don’t know your stuff, no one will pay any attention to what you say.

8. Say Thanks – Remember to thank legislators regularly and publicly for their time, work, support and votes. Never discount the importance of a thank you; it can really make a difference.

9. Attend a Legislative Action Day – Legislative action or awareness days are held at numerous times throughout the legislative session.  This is an opportunity for individuals to visit with their legislators on issues that are being considered by the Legislature in an organized fashion.

10. Know your next steps – In the meeting, ensure that the next steps for follow-up are clear (what your group will do next, what the legislator/aide will do next) and that you know which aides to contact for follow up. After the meeting, send a prompt thank you note and follow up on requests with the aide.