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.