How to Lobby your MPP in your Lobby
Arrange the Meeting
- Be prepared to make a number of phone calls to set up your appointment. Convince the assistant that you have a constituency behind you that cares about the issues.
- Get the administrator/assistant on your side: Be nice
- Once you have an appointment, confirm the date and time and who will be attending a few days in advance of the meeting
Prepare for the Meeting
- What are the key issues for tenants? What is your MPP's position on the issues?
- Be prepared to respond to questions
- Cover all the key points, and don't repeat yourself
- Know what you want the outcome of the meeting to be
- Decide well in advance who will attend the meeting, and make sure conveys the same message
- Create handouts about your issue, about your organization.
- Be clear and concise.
Meeting Tips
- Be friendly, prepared, concise and clear
- Leave time for questions
- Let your MPP know what it is you want them to do for you
After the Meeting
- Write a thank you letter to the Member and re-state your key points
- What went well?
- What should the next step be? (media, more meetings, events, etc.)
- Be Persistent