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Hope for Life Toolkit: Engaging Indian Organizations

Outreach to Local Elected Officials and Community Leaders

(Source: Community Toolbox and the Leadership Conference Education Fund)

Step 1 – Identify who to reach out to:

  • Elected Officials: to identify elected officials, visit: https://www.usa.gov/elected-officials(link is external) to find links to how to contact federal, state, and locally-elected officials. To contact your state Elected Officials visit the following: ◦State governor: https://www.usa.gov/state-governor(link is external)

    • State legislature websites: http://thomas.loc.gov/home/state-legislatures.html(link is external)
    • On http://www.usmayors.org/meetmayors/mayorsatglance.asp(link is external), search by Mayor’s name, City, State, and Population to find your local mayor.

 

  • Community Leaders, Organizers, and Activists:the following list includes examples of potential community members to reach out to (from the Community Toolbox): ◦Directors of human service and government agencies

    • Legislative aides
    • Grassroots activists
    • Religious leaders
    • Business leaders and owners
    • Service clubs (Kiwanis, Rotary, Lions, Native American Boys & Girls Club, etc.) or the Chamber of Commerce, who are usually members of the business and financial sector
    • United Way directors and Board members
    • Senior citizen activists

Step 2 – Utilize your network to expand your outreach efforts:

  • Community leaders, organizers, and activists are either already a part of or connected to your network.
  • Among your current community and organizational partners, identify who knows community leaders and/or elected officials as a way to establish new connections.

Step 3 – Secure a meeting:

  • Once you have identified potential new community partners, reach out to them via phone and/or email to explain your cause and request a meeting.

Step 4 – Prepare in advance for your meetings with elected officials, leaders, and organizations:

  • Determine people’s interests: ◦Find out what types of organizations and coalitions the people you plan to meet with have been involved in.

    • Find out if the elected official (or community leader) has recently been in the media and why; this indicates priorities and interests.
    • Consider meeting with community leaders/organizations who have previously supported similar causes.
  • Demonstrate how your goals align with the priorities of those who you’re meeting with: ◦Prior to your meeting, develop a list of common goals.
    • Outline the type of support you need, so that you can be clear and direct about what you’re asking of the person/organization.
  • Anticipate objections: ◦Brainstorm potential questions and/or concerns that could come up during your meeting and have clear answers prepared ahead of time.
    • Examples of potential concerns include: 
    • Expected time commitment: the person may not have enough time to participate, or they may only be able to commit for a short period of time.
    • Alignment of vision and goals: the person/organization you’re meeting with may not share the same values.
    • Concern regarding community readiness and stigma around suicide:
      • This concern can be addressed by providing examples of organizations and community partners who are currently in support of this project.
      • Can also explain that the events will be focused on strength-based approaches and resiliency.
  • Educate, educate, educate:
    • Provide fact sheets, memos, and materials to leave behind with the person/organization you’re meeting with.
  • Power in numbers:
    • Enlist a group of people to attend your meeting with you to provide support and additional expertise; this is more effective for garnering support.
    • Know your message, designate group members who will speak, and have a speaking order.

Step 5: Attending the meeting

  • Acknowledge and thank the elected official and/or community leader for their recent work in the community.
  • Pace yourself: ◦Remain mindful of the time you have set aside for the meeting so that you don’t run out of time.
  • State the purpose of the meeting: 
    • Inform the person you’re meeting with what your role is, why you reached out to them, and what you would like to discuss during the meeting.
    • During this introduction, provide any fact sheets, brochures, supplementary materials/reports.
  • Explain what you are looking for as a result of the meeting: Clearly and directly state your issues and requests.
    • Support your facts by sharing personal stories about how suicide is affecting your community.
    • Be clear about the commitment level you’re expecting from the person/group you’re meeting with:
      • For example, are you requesting a co-sponsorship, co-hosting of events, or help with recruitment and/or event promotion?
      • ◾Provide several options if you do not have one specific thing to request.
  • State the benefits that fulfilling your request will have for your target person:
    • Address why the person or organization you’re meeting with should want to or be willing to do what you’re requesting.
  • Allow time for the person you’re meeting with to respond with any questions or concerns.
  • If you don’t understand your legislator or community leader’s opinion or concerns on the issue, ask for clarification.
  • Be sure to leave behind several copies of your materials, as well as your contact information.
  • Thank the person/organization for spending time with you.

Step 6 – Following up after the Meeting

  • Email or call the person/organization after the meeting to thank them for their time.
  • If they agreed to partner with you or take actions, remind them of their commitment and thank them; be sure to offer assistance as needed.
  • If you promised to give them any additional information or answers to questions, provide the information as soon as possible.
  • Share any information or insights you gained from the meeting with your fellow organization members and/or community partners to plan out additional needed follow-up.
  • Maintain a relationship with people you met with by keeping them updated on your activities.
     
National Action Alliance
for Suicide Prevention

300 Fifth Avenue, Suite 2010
Waltham, MA 02451

info@theActionAlliance.org

Thank you for reaching out to us via email. The Action Alliance is not a crisis line. If we are concerned about an email you send to our inbox, we will forward your communication to 988. Please know that we care about you, and that you don’t have to answer the call from 988, but their resources are always available. If you or someone you know is experiencing a suicide or mental health related crisis, please call or text 988 or chat 988Lifeline.org.