1	Holding Elected Officials Accountable
2	Tonight’s Trainers
3	Democracy is everyday, not just election day Our elected officials work for us. We hired them, we pay their salary, we can fire them Citizen lobbying is how we ask them to do their job
4	It works! Arctic Wildlife Refuge Citizen groups fought successfully against Big Oil and other interests to block drilling in the refuge. Social Security Pressure from citizen groups blocked Bush’s plan to privatize Social Security
5	Goals of this session Learn how to get effective action from your elected official Learn how to plan, execute, and follow up on a constituent meeting with an elected official
6	We All Have Issues
7	Tangible Goals, Specific Asks Ask for one simple thing
8	Target Relevant Decision Makers Who makes the decisions? What impact do these people have? What access do you have? Prioritize!
9	What Makes Your Target Tick?
10	One Target, Many Tactics Master one, move on to the next Layered Communication Our Focus Tonight: The Constituent Meeting Tactics Emails Petitions Demonstrations Phone calls Letters Local media & Letters to the editor Town Halls and Meetings
11	Choosing and Layering Your Tactics Prove that constituents care Combine tactics for greater emphasis Necessary when elected officials are on the fence or leaning against you on an issue
12	Scheduling to Meet Your Representative
13	Preparing For Your Meeting Know the issue All politics is local Stake holders Your Representative’s view on the issue Know the solutions Prepare a specific and direct ask Anticipate reactions Role play the meeting
14	Having Your Meeting 1) Introduce yourself Introduce everyone and where they are from. State your purpose for being there. Tell your stories Speak from the heart, but be brief 3) Stick to the facts 4) Don’t leave without asking! 5) Follow through Listen to the official’s answer, respond and work out a plan to follow up.
15	After the Meeting Thank them Get the word out Follow up as planned Maintain the relationship
16	Homework
17	What’s next?
18	Thank you for joining us!