Building Relationships With Your Legislators

Elected officials view their constituents as a resource and they want to hear from you. Building relationships with your legislators is a critical step to advocating the Chamber's pro-business agenda.

Plan a Visit:

A good way to build your relationship with your legislators is to schedule a visit. Plan your visit carefully:

• Make an appointment.
• Be prompt and patient.
• Take advantage of any opportunity to discuss the issue with the proper staffer.
• Let them know you are a Chamber member. That way they know you are active in the community and that you stay up to speed on legislative news.
• Be prepared and try to focus one issue. Organize your thoughts and make notes to keep you on track.
• Be direct and ask for their support.
• Prepare a one-page fact sheet with your main points to present them. Legislators deal with many people regarding many issues, it is helpful to leave a written reminder.
• Thank them for their time and follow up with a thank you note.
• Share the information you gained with the Chamber. Contact the appropriate member of the public policy team.

Additional Relationship Building Tips

Invite your legislators to your place of business: This will enable you to familiarize them with your company and its products and/or services. It will also provide an excellent opportunity to let them know what issues have the most impact on your business's operations.

Personally invite your legislators to attend Chamber events: The Chamber promotes all legislative events on its website. From Business Day in Annapolis to Issue Breakfasts and the Business Policy Conference, invite your legislators to attend the Chamber events you will be attending. In addition, a list of political events is also available on the Chamber's website for your review. The Political Events Calendar is a list of events submitted to the Chamber by those service in public office or running for public office.

Understand Maryland's ethics laws: Review and understand Maryland's laws governing individuals that attempt to influence legislative or executive action. Visit the Maryland State Ethics Commission's website at http://ethics.gov.state.md.us.