• Greet the legislator and thank them for their time. Be respectful but informal. You are sharing this time with them—make it as personal as possible.
  
  
• Have the parent hosts and the legislator gather in the place you have arranged for introductions and a cup of coffee. Providing something to eat may also help everyone feel more relaxed. After introductions, briefly outline the group’s activities and objectives for the day.
  
  
• Follow your schedule for the visit and use the time at a meal or between events to point out successes and challenges of your school—art or history projects in the halls, an intervention program that has been particularly effective, the academic and economic diversity of your school population, etc.
  
  
• Tell your stories.
  
  
• End with a meeting with the legislator and the parent hosts to wrap up. Does the legislator have any questions parents can answer (or find out the answers)? What did they think of the school? Have parents ask what the legislator thinks s/he can do to address challenges. Pose the issues as problems to be solved and help legislators feel they are part of the solution.

Tips for Positive Communication

• Be friendly, sincere and informal. Be appreciative of their time.
  
  
• Be familiar with your legislator’s viewpoints so you know what to expect and can politely challenge their arguments, if needed. (Parents United can help you with this.)
  
  
• If you disagree with your legislator, say so, but continue to be friendly, so you leave the way open for future conversations.
  
  
• If you don’t have an answer to a question, just say so. Assure them you will find the answer and get back to them (you can do this in a follow-up phone call or in your thank you letter).

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