The Meeting
On the day of your meeting, make sure you do the following:
- Dress appropriately.
- Business attire is always the best choice.
- Be timely.
- Plan to arrive 10 minutes before your meeting.
- Plan to deliver your message during the first 10 minutes of your 15-minute meeting - right after brief small talk and building rapport.
- Be flexible.
- Your meeting may take place standing up in the hallway, on the run to a vote, or may be cancelled with no warning.
- It is not uncommon for members to have to deal with sudden and dramatic shifts in their schedules on a daily basis. Unfortunately, this can affect their planned meetings with you.
- Build rapport.
- Utilizing your knowledge about the legislator’s personal background, accomplishments, etc., may help you to establish points of connection – personal and/or professional.
- Follow Up.
- Follow up a meeting with a thank you note and any additional information you may have promised during the meeting. The best way to send information to home offices might be by email.