Tips & Pointers

When calling your legislator, DO:

-Ask to speak with the aide handling your issue. Aides have the legislator’s ear, and are often very knowledgeable about your issue. Be sure to take down their name in case you need to reach your legislator again. 

• Be prepared and be brief. Keep notes handy and try to limit conversations to five minutes or less. And get your main points covered as close to the beginning of the conversation as possible.

• Leave your name and contact info and make clear you’d like a reply. This helps aides respond with information on the legislator’s position. 

• Follow up your phone call with a brief thank you note, a concise summary of your position and additional information if it has been requested.

When calling your legislator, DON’T:

• Bluff. If the legislator or aide asks you a question that you cannot answer, say that you will get back to him/her and then do the appropriate follow-up.

Tips & Pointers

1. KISS: Keep it short and simple. Know why they should care, and what you want. If you’re in a group, designate one spokesperson. If you come to Advocacy Day, we’ll provide simple information to convey.

2. Have your facts straight. Familiarize yourself before you meet legislators. Talk about how constituents are benefiting from what you want. If asked something you don’t know, don’t guess – find out and send it later. Learn your legislator’s position on arts issues with MCA’s Legislator Survey.

3. Be on time, polite and patient. Your legislator is busy and may be late. Just be grateful for the time and make the most of it. Don’t show up unannounced or assail those who oppose your issue. 

4. Introduce your team members and note their connections. Make sure that the legislator knows your connection to his or her district – whether you are a constituent living in the district, an artist working in the district, etc.

5. Make your issue personal. Tell stories about how your organization or other grantees have benefited the people in the legislator’s district.

6. Be a resource. If your legislator needs more information than you have on hand, offer to obtain it. Let MCA know if you need help, and be sure to follow up with information in a timely manner.

7. Say “thank you” again. Leave some information for the legislator to read, but keep that information simple, too. Be direct by asking at the end of the meeting, “Will you support my cause?” His or her answer will determine your future efforts.

8. Make notes about what happened. It’s important to share what you learn with MCA. Take a few minutes to write down your impressions and any specific statements of support or opposition. Did they give any advice or display knowledge of any specific arts organizations or issues?

9. Maintain relationships with your legislators. When you get home, send a thank you note along with other information that may be of interest. Invite them to local arts events, openings or other activities.

10. Provide publicity opportunities (photo opportunities, events, occasions to meet people). Invite your legislator to your organization’s annual meeting, an opening night gathering or other arts related events.

Tips & Pointers

A letter documents your views and reminds your legislators that their decisions have a direct impact on you. Write to the legislators who serve on the committees that affect the arts. MCA can tell you who they are, or you can find yours online.

For issues that need more immediate attention, there may be a fax number. Check out our Arts Alerts to see if any prompt action is required right now.

When Writing:

• Use the correct address and salutation, e.g. Dear Senator [last name], or Dear Representative [last name], or Dear Governor [last name]

• Type or write your letter clearly. If your letter is not easy to read, it could be discarded. Be sure to include your return address on the letter. Non-constituent mail may also be thrown out.

• Use your own words and stationery. Legislators feel that personal letters, rather than form letters, show greater personal commitment on the part of the writer, and therefore carry greater weight.

• Be brief. Choose a few bullet points that are direct and succinct; however, include enough information to explain why you are writing.

• Be specific and keep your message focused. Avoid writing a “laundry list” of issues so that your most important message stands out. If possible, give an example of how the issue affects your district.

• Know your facts. It is important to be accurate and honest in your letter. You can seriously hurt your credibility by offering inaccurate or misleading information.

• If you can, find our how your legislators voted on this issue or similar issues in the past. Personalizing your letter to reflect the viewpoint of your legislator can be very effective. If the legislator has voted in favor of your issue in the past, express your thanks. MCA can help you track down this information.

• Be timely. Contact your legislator while there is still time for him/her to consider and act on your request. Respond quickly to MCA’s Arts Alerts.

• Be persistent. Do not be satisfied with responding letters that give a status report on the bill, promise to “keep your views in mind” or otherwise skirt the issue. Without being rude, write back and ask for a more specific response.

• Say thank you. Like everyone else, legislators appreciate a pat on the back. If, however, your legislator did not support your position, let him/her know that you are aware of that, and explain why you think he/she should have decided differently. It might make a difference the next time.

• IMPORTANT: DO NOT use a negative, condescending, threatening or intimidating tone. You will only alienate your legislator and cause bad feelings that might hurt your case. Only write in tones that you would care to receive in the mail! Be nice.

Tips & Pointers

Through MCA’s Desktop Lobbyist tool, arts advocates can learn about current issues affecting the arts in Minnesota, learn who their legislators are, and send emails in a matter of moments.

When emailing a legislator, make sure to include a note in the subject line indicating that you are a constituent, such as “Message from an Arts Supporter in District XX.” 

Legislators want to hear from their own constituents, but often don’t have the time for others. Within the body of the e-mail, sign the message and add a home address. Make sure to ask them to write back. “I’m looking forward to your response on this important issue,” for example.