DECISION MAKERS
Influencing
Decision
Makers: Communicating
with decision makers-through meetings, letters, phone calls, faxes, emails,
etc.-is one way advocates may exercise their constitutional right to speak out
on an issue.
Who Are
Decision Makers?: A
decision maker is someone who has authority over policy decisions, such as a
CEO or a corporation, member of a board of directors, city council member,
member of Congress or state legislator.
Decision
makers:
-deal
with a wide variety of issues.
-rarely
has time to devote a lot of effort to your issue.
-are
faced with conflicting pressures from many special interest groups.
-are
typically overworked and understaffed.
-must
always consider the political consequences of their decisions.
*Communicate with decision makers by
personal visits by peer decision makers, personal visits by constituents,
personal letters from constituents, telephone calls from constituents, articles
and editorials in districts’ major daily newspaper.
Tips for Communicating
With Decision Makers: When
communicating with a decision maker always be honest and friendly, never
argumentative or confrontational. Thank the individual for listening to your
views. Remember, you want to build a relationship, even if that person disagrees
with you now. Also keep these tips in mind:
-Establish
your addenda and goals. Remember to keep it simple.
-Be
prepared, you should know the basics of the issue by this point.
-Identify
yourself and your organization. Give relevant contact information to the decision maker regarding any individuals he or she may want or need to get into
contact with.
-Establish
common ground, try telling a personal experience that ties in with the issue at
hand.
-Be
clear and concise. State specifically what you want them to do. However, be
sure not to make demands.
Writing to a
Decision Maker: Decision
makers know that every person who writes represents many others who feel the
same but don’t take the time to write. Your letter can make a difference.
-Technology
gives us more opportunities than ever before to make our voices heard. E-mail
and faxes are effective, immediate forms of communication, especially in time
sensitive situations. Never underestimate the power of social networking.
-If
writing about a certain bill, include the following information: the bill’s
name and number as well as its status.
-Letters
should not exceed one page, make it personal.
*See
the Sample Letter to a Legislator
TIPS FOR
WRITING AN EFFECTIVE LETTER TO A DECISION MAKER
-Use
stationary; make sure a return address is contained within the letter. Letter
should be typed, never handwritten.
-Identify the
county, organization and number of voters you represent, if known.
-Deal with a
specific issue and only write one letter per issue.
-State what you
are asking of them and request a response.
-Be brief.
-Be factual;
include why he or she should or should not support legislation.
-Remain
courteous, be timely.
-Send the AHA Advocacy Director a copy!
__________________________________________________
Sample Letter to Legislator
(DATE)
The Honorable (FULL NAME) The
Honorable (FULL NAME)
United States Senate U.S.
House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20510 Washington,
DC 20510
Dear Senator (LAST NAME): Dear Representative
(LAST NAME):
I urge you to join the growing
number of your colleagues by becoming a co-sponsor of S. 349/H.R. 2130, the
“Women’s Cardiovascular Diseases Research and Prevention Act,” sponsored by
Senator Barbra Boxer (D-CA) and Maxine Waters (D-CA-35), respectively. This legislation
authorizes $140 million for the National Institutes of Health’s National Heart,
Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) to expand, intensify and coordinate
activities with respect to heart attack, stroke, and other cardiovascular
diseases in women.
Specifically, this measure
requires the NHLBI director to conduct or support research to:
- Expand
understanding of the prevention, prevalence, causes, history, frequency, and
gender and racial differences of cardiovascular diseases in women.
- Develop
safe, efficient, and cost effective diagnostic approaches for evaluating women
with heart disease.
- Create
informational and educational programs for patients and health care providers
on risk factors for cardiovascular diseases.
Heart attack, stroke, and other cardiovascular
diseases remain the No. 1 cause of death and a leading cause of disability of
American females. More than 500,000 American females die from cardiovascular
diseases each year. Each year since 1984, cardiovascular diseases have claimed
the lives of more females than males. Cardiovascular disease kills twice as
many American females as all cancers.
More than one in five females
live with the consequences of heart attack, stroke or other cardiovascular
disease. The clinical course of cardiovascular disease is different in women
than in men, and in many diagnostic capabilities are less accurate in women
than in men. Once a woman develops a cardiovascular disease, she is more likely
than a man to have continuing health problems, and is more likely to die. Of
women who have had a heart attack, about 44 percent die within one year of the
attack, compared to 27 percent of men. More than 60 percent of fatal stroke
victims are female. Despite the seriousness of these diseases in women, they
are largely unrecognized by both women and their doctors.
To co-sponsor S. 349/H.R. 2130,
the “Women’s Cardiovascular Diseases Research and Prevention Act,” please have
your office contact Kate O’Malley in Senator Boxer’s Office at 202-224-3553 or
Catherine Atkins in Representative Water’s office at 202-225-2201.
Thank you for the consideration
of this request. I sincerely hope that you will co-sponsor the “Women’s
Cardiovascular Diseases Research and Prevention Act.” I will contact your
office next week to follow up.
Sincerely,
Calling or Visiting
A Decision Maker: Decision
makers usually pay attention when constituents take the time to call or visit
in person to express their views. To be sure you’re making the most of your
time with the decision maker:
-develop
your message and talking points carefully.
-plan
the meeting and prepare participants thoroughly.
-do
your homework on the decision maker(s).
-be on
time, brief, and respect time constraints.
-listen
and ask questions to clarify views.
-send a
thank you letter.
-follow
up with requested information.
-let
your affiliate know the results of the meeting.
PHONECALL/MEETING
WITH DECISION MAKER TIPS
I. The Phone
call
A. Ask to speak
with the legislator.
1. Identify
your position.
2. Be brief.
3. State how
you want the legislator to vote and the bills information.
4. Express your
appreciation if the legislator is supportive.
5. Don’t be
surprised if your representative is unavailable, leave a message.
6.Send a follow up letter restating the
substance of the call and expressing appreciation for their time.
II. The Meeting
A.
Before the Meeting
1.
Arrive 10-15 minutes before your appointment to meet with
your group.
2.
Review your talking points, and what each person will
contribute.
3.
Assign one person to begin the meeting and one to end the
meeting.
B.
Introductions
1.
Everyone should briefly introduce themselves including their
position.
2.
Consider sharing a few details explaining that your group
represents broad cross section from the district.
C.
The Request
1.
Stay on message!
2.
Make a clear request.
3.
Ask for a commitment.
4.
Thank them before you leave.
D.
After the Meeting
1.
Briefly meet with your group to compare impressions and
identify any follow up work that needs to take place.
2.
Remember to get business cards from any staff you meet with,
and send a thank you note soon after your visit. Such notes help you form long
term, business like relations with these offices.
