HOW TO FILL OUT THE LEGISLATOR'S FORM

• Make sure other attendees can make the date/time or be prepared to present on your own.
• Ask how long you will have to speak?
• Reconfirm.

Research Your Representative

• What party does your representative belong to (Republican or Democrat)?
• Newly elected or a veteran? (# of terms and years).
• If a veteran, any leadership positions? Committee Chair?
• Is your representative a member of a key committee? 
• Is your representative a Sponsor or Co-Sponsor of key bills?
• Representative Office Location, Phone Number, etc.

Prepare your presentation

• Provide a meeting agenda. (Plan on 30 minutes).
• Introductions (5 minutes) 
• I represent a Nonpartisan all Volunteer Group, FixProp19
• Introduce Topic (5 minutes)
• “I/we are here today to discuss amending Proposition 19 of 2020, which enacted ill-fated changes to the California property tax laws, causing dramatic financial hardship on seniors, disabled, renters, and small business owners.”
• We are here because - 1 minute impactful statements, such as, I will lose my home! Let me share a 2 minute story. 
• Real life impacts realized by Californians (5 minutes)
• Property tax protections and safeguards stripped away
• Unforeseen escalated property taxes
• Losing homes because of Prop 19
• Potential homelessness
• Misleading Ad-Campaigns (5 minutes)
• $40M funding from CAR
• Funds have not been given to organizations mentioned
• Our Ask (5 minutes)
• Reinstate Props 58, 193, and roll back assessments to pre-Prop 19 levels.
• Provide “Legislative Proposal” documents and other relevant handouts. 
• Follow up (5 minutes)
• Action Items if any
• Meeting close

Before the Meeting

• Know the location, parking, building, room number, time.
• California State Capitol 10th and L Streets. Sacramento, CA 95814.  Know which of the 4 entrances to use. 
• Arrive early, allow time for parking, security screening. 
• Consider wearing a name tag. Makeshift: cut up paper and tape to safety pin.
• Take materials with you and a notepad, pen. 
• Take a computer and bookmark web pages.  
• Provide a copy of key documents for the Representative.
• Make sure everyone in your group has a copy of the key documents and videos.
• Ask your team members to take notes. Designate one team member to observe reactions of the state team and for specific talking points during the meeting. 
• For any location, check on Wifi if showing videos or needing internet access. (HINT: do not rely on Internet connectivity.  Download any presentation you wish to show and run it from your computer.”
• Practice any videos so you know how to play immediately. And volume.

• Dress appropriately.
• Silence cell phones.
• Formally address the representative, ie as “Assembly Member ______” or “Senator ______.”
• Introduce yourself and have others who are with you to do the same.
• Be confident and serve as the knowledge resource for your cause.
• Be energetic, positive attitude, show enthusiasm, positive body language.
• Be cordial, state your case, ask questions then listen, take notes.
• Do not record the session unless you ask for permission to do so.
• Speak clearly and provide your “ask.”
  • Provide subject of the “ask” in a simple sentence.
  • Provide summary in bullet points.
  • Make a “case” for your ask.
• Know your cause, demonstrate your expertise, but do not mislead or give false information.
• Make sure you capture the names (with correct spelling) and positions of those who represent the Assembly Member or Senator.  Ask for their business cards. 
  • Distinguish between key items you will hand over during the meeting vs additional docs/notes you may need to answer questions. 
  • Do not let the paperwork be the focus. Suggest something like, “I brought this for your records and hope you will review it after our meeting.” 
  • For documents that you will turn over, put them in a manila or folder and put a title on the folder, include the date. 
• If in public location, make sure you provide directions to legislator.
• If in public location, make sure room is accommodating and comfortable.
• Allow your representative to ask questions and engage in the conversation.
• Allow for your team to provide very brief statements. You as the presenter should provide the bulk of the ask.
• Ask if the Representative is open to further discussion and/or being a Sponsor or Co-sponsor of your cause.
• If the Representative cannot commit, ask if they need more time or information.  
• If the Representative is onboard with being a Sponsor or Co-Sponsor, ask if you can take a photo and post it.
• Ask for “next steps” and “dates for follow up.” 
• Thank the Representative and their staff for attending the meeting.

• Send “thank you notice” to the Representative.
• If you are conducting follow up action items, state that in your email/letter and give an estimated time for when your tasks will be completed. 
• Debrief with your team.
• What went well.
• Where could you have been stronger.
• General sense of meeting.
• Action item assignment amongst you and your team members for follow-up.
• Let us know what happened.