Utilize this resource to research your legislators (or any elected official), what power they hold, and (most importantly), what influences them. This worksheet’s goal is to help you create a complete picture of your elected officials as you prepare to engage with them on civil liberties issues.

Knowing a little bit about your legislator’s political and personal history can go a long way to ensuring you can build rapport and have a successful meeting. Use our “How to Get to Know Your Legislator” worksheet to complete this critical step. You don’t have to be an expert, but make sure you’ve done some research on the specific issue and/or bill you want to talk to your legislator about. The more you know, the more your legislator can learn too! Visit our website throughout the legislative session as we identify the bills we are working on. If possible, identify an issue for which the legislator could be thanked as well.

It’s helpful to be able to provide your legislator with details about who will be there (if it’s a group meeting) and your preferred meeting format (in-person, virtual, phone) from the beginning to streamline the process and show you’re prepared. There are a couple different ways to do this:

• Reach out to your legislator directly using the contact information available on the Iowa Legislature website: legis.iowa.gov.
• From Monday-Thursday during the legislative session, you can request an in-person meeting with your legislator at the Capitol. The entrance to each chamber (House & Senate) has a bulletin board in front of it with instructions on how to do this. Staff are often present near these entrances and can help you with this process as well.

Decide on when and how you will connect before the meeting. Designate a group leader who will ensure your agenda is followed and a person who can take notes during the meeting. Find out how much time you have for the meeting and allocate it among your group members. Make sure you are all on the same page with what you are asking the legislator to do. Obtain the names and contact information of everyone who will be in the meeting to send to the legislator afterwards.

When the legislator arrives (or calls in), introduce yourself and any other people in your group. Make sure the ask is repeated clearly several times. Facilitate flow of conversation among all group members. During the meeting, it is critical to keep to the agenda (see sample) by calling on members of the delegation to speak and prompt the legislator to ask questions.

Share a personal story about why this issue matters to you. You don’t need to be an expert—your legislators work for you and care about your opinions. Telling your story is an important way to connect with the values and priorities your legislators care about, and it can help change their minds. Ask follow-up questions to learn more about the members’ position on the issue. Keep to the time your group decided on for your section of the meeting. It can help to have a watch or clock on hand to keep time.

Follow up by email with the legislator within 3 days. Send them the contact information for everyone in your group and any ‘leave behind’ materials you have. The ACLU of Iowa would love to hear about your visit! Please let us know what you learn by emailing us at outreach@aclu-ia.org.

• Be persistent! Lawmakers are very busy during session and can’t always respond right away. Follow up with a phone call if you sent an email. You can always go to the Capitol and ask to meet with them, too.
• Remember: Legislators work for YOU!
• Always be polite and respectful. This meeting is part of building a relationship.