Thank the elected official for meeting with you.  Let him/her know how much you appreciate his/her time and interest in the issue.

Introduce yourself and tell the elected official where you are from and what you do. Make sure to mention that you are a constituent. If you have any family, social, business, or political ties to the elected official, mention them as well.

State clearly and concisely what issue you want to discuss. Let the elected official know your position on the issue and what position you want him/her to take.  Make sure you include facts that support or oppose the issue.

Tell the elected official how it will affect his/her district and the state.  If possible, include a personal story or message that demonstrates why you support or oppose the bill/proposal, etc.

Mention any other organizations, important individuals, government officials, and legislators who support the bill/proposal.  If you are a member of an organization, make sure to let your legislator know how many members you have in your group.

Keep the conversation simple and focused.  Ask the elected official direct questions that he/she can answer “yes” to, such as, “Can we count on your support of the bill?”  Make sure to listen to his/her concerns and try to get a commitment of support or opposition.

Don't be afraid to admit that you don't know.  If you are unsure of an answer, say, “I'll get the information and get back to you with an answer.”  This will give you a good reason to contact your legislator again.

Thank the elected official for his/her time even if he/she does not agree with your position.

Immediately after the meeting with an elected official write down his/her position and any other pertinent information you may have learned in the meeting regarding the issue.

Follow up with a letter thanking the elected official for his/her time and support or opposition on the issue.