Cascades East AHEC Quick Tip Sheet
Steps To Making Contact With Oregon Legislators

Meeting Preparation

1. Identify Your Legislators! Use the current Cascades East AHEC Legislative Contact List to identify your state senator and representative. The list provides phone numbers and addresses for your legislators.
   
   
2. Make a phone call to your legislator(s) to schedule an appointment.
   
   
3. Get details on the best time to meet with your legislator(s). Find out when the legislator will be back "home" or when you can make an appointment to visit them at the capitol. Some legislators will set-up phone appointments during the busy months of a legislative session. While this can be a good initial conversation, always try to follow up with your legislator when they are back "home". Even during the session, many legislators have set up community meetings on weekends. If you can’t get a private meeting, arrange to meet your legislator for a few minutes after they address a community audience.
   
   
4. Provide a General Overview of Why! Be prepared to provide general information about what you want to meet with your legislator about in this phone call.
   
   
5. Review Your Message. Before your visit with your legislator review your message. What is the key story of AHEC in your community? Use the bullet points about your community from the AHEC handout; choosing an issue that is very personal to you and your community! Why should legislators keep the program? What are key health care issues facing your community. How will this program help you be successful in maintaining quality and safety of health care in your community? For more message points use the Green AHEC folders to highlight the basic points of importance. The CEAHEC Legislative Committee already has created some good talking points for you. The main thing is to keep your communication simple and direct.

Making the Contact

1. Introduce yourself to your legislator(s) and any guests you have with you. Let the Legislator know what your role in the community is; and your involvement with the Cascades East AHEC Advisory Board.
   
   
2. Share! Share your story, concern and what you want the legislator to do. Many people forget the last part! The legislator is listening particularly to what it is you would like them to do about your concerns. Keep it simple and concise!
   
   
3. Ask to be informed. Ask the legislator to let you know when legislation that will affect your issue will come up for discussion. You can even offer to be available to testify for a committee hearing if appropriate.
   
   
4. Provide written material! Be sure to give the legislator one of the Cascades East AHEC green information folders! (contact our office to receive a new set). Let him/her know that CEAHEC staff are available to answer additional questions. You can also let the legislator know they could stop by and visit your facility or office in the future if you feel it would be appropriate.

Following Up

1. Write a thank you note! Just a short note thanking your legislator for taking the time to meet with you and or address your issue is a nice follow-up. The more personal the better ( a quick hand-written thank you goes a long way!)
   
   
2. Take additional opportunities to brief your legislator(s) on key issues. Offer to give them a formal tour or your facility or invite them to a give an opening address/remarks to a group already scheduled to meet. Don’t be afraid to pick up the phone when you have something to share or discuss with a legislator. Establishing long-term relationships with legislators is a good plan. They need to know what their communities are concerned about in order to accomplish their goals!
   
   
3. Relationship Building. Ideally your visit is either the start or the continuation of an ongoing relationship you are building with your legislator and his or her aide. You want your face to be familiar and your counsel to be trusted. You know you are getting somewhere when your legislator starts calling you for information. Providing accurate information builds trust!
   
   
4. Remember to let us know about your contact! Drop an e-mail letting us know about the highlights of your conversation and any follow-up actions you need us to take.