Advocacy Tips

Federal and State Issues for Museums:
Museums on the Mall Advocacy Session Notes & Resources

Find your legislative district and congressional district:
Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission http://www.azredistricting.org/

Track legislative bills, Read about your Legislator, Book an appointment:
Arizona State Legislature www.azleg.gov

Get to know public officials BEFORE they get elected. As a PRIVATE CITIZEN (not as a representative of your organization) volunteer for their campaigns, offer to walk neighborhoods, work a phone bank or staff an election site. Better yet, find a candidate already pre-disposed to your point of view to run for office (or run yourself!)
Be a useful and reliable resource. Don’t EVER provide incorrect information – if you don’t know, say so and get back to them with answers later. If you lost them once, you’ve lost them forever.
Use the "catch more flies with honey" approach. Don’t be angry or argumentative. Be someone they enjoy (or at least don’t mind) to see coming.
Call for an appointment – don’t just drop in.
Identify bills by number & tell personal stories.
Focus on a single issue at a time, and leave the rest of your personal political agenda at the door. If you’re there representing the museums, don’t wear your "Save the Whales" button.
Practice reconnaissance: What are your elected official’s priorities, and how can you connect your issue as a solution to those needs?
Know your audience and act and dress accordingly. When your meeting is done, follow-up quickly with a hand-written thank-you note.
Make deposits of good deeds and information – you never know when negative things will pop up.
Do some "friend raising." Help your elected official meet constituents from their district and important members of the community.
State your position clearly, get to the point, and make your ask. Be polite but not too chatty- these folks don’t have a lot of extra time on their hands. Don’t leave the meeting without asking for your elected official’s commitment or vote for your issue.
Speak in a united voice. If you have disagreements within your special interest, leave that dirty laundry outside of your meetings with elected officials. Share information with the appropriate advocacy organization and other constituencies.

Helpful Web Sites

Humanities Advocacy Network, http://www.humanitiesadvocacy.org/

Arizona Capitol Times, www.arizonacapitoltimes.com

Arizona Secretary of State’s Office, www.azsos.gov

Arizona Commission on the Arts, www.azarts.gov

College Art Association, http://www.collegeart.org/advocacy/c9/

*Courtesy of Arizona Citizens Action for the Arts, www.azcitizensforthearts.org.