1. Ten Points About: Working with Elected Officials
by Maggie Bergin
Elected and agency officials only work for you if you put them to work.
Government and its policies, at every level, impact virtually every enterprise:
health care, education, workforce development, banking and the green economy
among many. Being unaware of or unengaged in the political process results in
substantial missed opportunities for both you and the legislator.
A handshake still rules. Despite the rise of social media and e-mail, no
electronic form of communication comes close to the power of a face-to-face
meeting with an elected or agency official.
Take the long view. Government Affairs is a repeat business based on existing
relationships. New programs, funding and business opportunities are created all
the time. Your goal is to be ‘top of mind’ when this happens.
Introduce yourself. Always start a meeting by reviewing your company’s
history, overview, focus, size (budget, staff and subcontractors) and relationships
in the elected official’s district.
It’s not the more the merrier! Craft your meetings with elected officials around
one or two specific, attainable and compelling goals. Don't make a shopping list!
You credit worthiness is being judged. Elected officials, like your loan officer,
judge your credit (also known as ‘political capital’). Show off your company’s
specific accomplishments, provide proof that what you’re saying is true (facts,
statistics, etc.) and highlight your community connections.
Be honest. Be prepared to answer any and all questions about your topic, or
bring someone with you who can. If you don’t know the answer to a question
asked by an elected or agency official, say you don’t know and offer to follow-up
with staff.
Be considerate. Answer questions simply and clearly; do not go on ad nauseam.
Treat staff person(s) with respect and courtesy. Show up five minutes early but
expect to wait.
4 Open Square Way, Suite 214 Holyoke MA, 01040

2. Don’t be shy. Did the elected/agency official use an acronym you don’t know?
Ask. Do you have questions about how a particular program works? Ask. She
will be more than happy to answer.
It’s just like mom said. A timely, genuine and specific thank you letter should
follow any meeting you have with an elected/agency official. Address the letter to
the elected official, but send it, electronically and in hard copy, to the staff who
attended the meeting.
Maggie Bergin is Principal at The Art of Politics, a Government Affairs Consulting
Company, where she trains organizations how to have interactions with elected
officials that yield tangible results.
We Teach You How to Navigate the
Political Waters
phone: 413.887.7450
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4 Open Square Way, Suite 214 Holyoke MA, 01040