This presentation was given at FMCC on April 7, 2014. It focused on "pulling it all together." The presentation served to summarie how to make the key family medicine "asks" and connect them to your story.

1. Listen Up Legislators!
Getting the Family Physician Message Across in
Washington, D.C.

2. • Former DC Staff
Director for Rep.
Blumenauer
• Former Lobbyist
National Public
Radio
• Author 5 books on
Advocacy
Who’s Speaking?
Stephanie Vance

3. Why Your Voice Matters: What
Influences Legislators?
Their ______________ & ___________
Their Policy _________ & ___________
The _______________
Money?
But Most Important…

4. Their Constituents!

5. Basic
Logistics
• Where am I
going?
• What am I
wearing?
• What am I
eating?
• Where are
the
bathrooms?

6. What You Bring to the Policy Table
Your Story
The Asks
How to Find You or the AAFP GR Team

7. What You Don’t Need to Stress About

8. Notes on Meeting With Staff
It’s BETTER to Meet
with Staff Than the
Legislator
• Avoid the “Grip
and Grin”
• MORE Time and
Expertise
• The Eyes and Ears
of the Member
What’s Different? – PRONOUNS!

9. When Meeting with Staff
Instead of…
• Will you cosponsor this
bill?
• Where do you stand on
this issue?
• How do you think you’ll
vote?
• I saw you introduced
legislation on [XYZ]
• I noticed on Facebook that
you [met with such-and-
such group, etc.]
… say
• Will your boss cosponsor
this bill?
• Where does your boss
stand on this issue?
• How do you think your
boss will vote?
• I saw your boss introduced
legislation on [XYZ]
• I noticed on Facebook that
your boss [met with such-
and-such group, etc.]

10. Remember to “SPIT”
Use the S.P.I.T. Technique
Specific, Personal, Informative and Timely

11. But What Are the Specifics?
They’re Right Here at Your Fingertips!
The FMCC “Cheat Sheet”

12. Let’s Practice!

13. Addressing Concerns
Talking to
legislators with
whom you disagree
“Agree to disagree”
is a great phrase to
practice

14. Addressing Concerns
Legislators / staff will
be mean to people of a
different party
With advocates,
legislators are more
interested in
constituency than party

15. Addressing Concerns
I don’t want to look
foolish
Congressional
offices do not
expect advocates to
be policy experts

16. Addressing Concerns
I’ll say something that
will ruin it for
everyone else
There’s rarely anything
you can do, besides
being rude, that will
ruin it for everyone

17. 10 Things NOT to Say
• “But you’re not important”
• “How much campaign money did you
get?”
• “I assume you know all about H.R.
1234”
• “Here’s our 300 page annual report”
• “I don’t have an appointment – I just
want to take ½ hour of your time”

18. 10 Things NOT to Say
• “I don’t really have anything specific to
talk about”
• “We have 25 people in our group”
• “What do you mean we have to stand
in the hall?
• “What you’re telling me can’t be right.
I heard Jon Stewart say…”

19. Number 1
“No, I’m not from your state. I just
thought you’d be interested in what I
have to say.”

20. Perhaps Most Important?
Have Fun!
Fun Is Good
Dr. Seuss
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