HomeShare International

Private Members

Government Relations

GOVERNMENT RELATIONS TIP SHEET
Communicating with elected officials

PLAN AHEAD

  • Reach out to municipal, provincial, or federal elected representatives months in advance of a campaign.
  • Be clear about what you want.
  • Work with their staff; make sure the staff understand your position so they can explain (and, hopefully, support) it accurately to the elected representative, and to their colleagues.
  • When meeting with an elected official, make sure a board member, senior volunteer or other supporter is present.

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO ACHIEVE?

? To inform the official about (topic/issue/campaign) and your planned activities.
? To inform them about the work that you perform in your community and its impact.
? To ensure they understand the value of Homeshare.
? To make them aware of the impact of their policies on Homeshare and the people in your community.
? To develop a good working relationship so that your programme can be a source of information about issues related to Homeshare.
? Other…

Provide elected officials with the information they need to make good decisions that affect Homeshare.

TO DO:
? Know what issues they make policy on or can influence.
? Make yourself aware of elected officials’ positions on issues that affect Homeshare in your area.
? Be flexible if you are meeting with an elected official. Their schedule may change on short notice.
? Prepare a concise one-page handout summarizing your main points.
? Explain the impact of their government’s policies and programs on Homeshare.

Tips for new programmes

Don’t rush to make matches; be very careful about your first matches.

Your beginnings establish your reputation and your first matches become the benchmark that people use to define what they expect to experience.