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. |