Too many times, I've seen constituent organizations launch right into talking about the thorn in their side, or their desperate need for assistance, without giving the elected official a solid and thorough 'forest through the trees' point of view. This is a mistake because elected officials are most comfortable when they have a clear 30,000 foot view.
While it is always satisfying to tell a story about thorns or needs, when meeting with an elected official, givers of good meeting include lots of basic facts. Your elected official should know AT LEAST the following about your organization:
1. Organization's History
2. Where You Are Now, Including
- Programmatic overview and focus
- Size – budget, staff, subcontractors
- Relationships in community
You should have all this information in your take-away material or at the very least, in a tightly worded 30 second elevator speech. After you provide this global view, then your elected is ready to put her seat back.
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