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• Know who your legislator is before making initial contact on an issue. Do not confuse state legislators with their federal counterparts. There are many ways to find out who your state legislators are:
  -- Visit CapWiz, OPA's Grassroots Advocacy tool
  -- Website www.legislature.state.oh.us
  -- Contact your local County Board of Elections
  -- Call OPA (1-800-783-1983) or Ohio Legislative Information at 614-466-8842
  -- At your public library use a computer to access web sites above
• Find out the legislative committees on which your legislator serves (listed at the bottom of the legislator's screen found above). For OPA members, "Health, Human Services & Aging" and the "Insurance, Commerce & Labor" Committees (in the Senate) and "Health & Family Services" and "Insurance" Committees (in the House) are of the greatest interest to psychologists. Legislators on these committees have significant impact over issues that affect our members and clients.

RULE #1: ALWAYS BE COURTEOUS TO THE STAFF MEMBERS!

• When speaking to the legislator or staff member, quickly identify yourself, who you are representing, the issue you would like to discuss and the fact that you are from the legislator's district.
• Chances are that when you call the legislator's Columbus office, you will speak to the legislator's Legislative Aide or Administrative Assistant. A legislator's Legislative Aide or Administrative Assistant is your entry point in conveying information to the legislator. Because legislators are busy attending committee meetings and voting sessions, the staff will often take care of your inquiries. Learn the staff members' names, develop relationships with them and always be courteous. Remember, it's always more pleasant for you to deal with clients who are friendly. Legislators and staff have that same attitude.
• Don't be offended if you leave a message with the legislator or staff and it is not returned promptly. Like you, legislators are very busy and will return constituents' calls as soon as possible, If you do not receive a timely response, call the legislator's office again and remind staff that you are still trying to make a contact.
• Ask when the legislator will be back in the district for the purpose of scheduling an appointment.
• Always leave a phone number where the legislator can return your call.

RULE #2: REPETITION, REPETITION, REPETITION

• Gentle repetition in contacting a legislator is key. Stick with it. The hardest part of getting to know and establish a relationship with a legislator is the initial phone call or meeting.
• Repetition. If a legislator senses that an issue is of great importance to many of his/her constituents, that issue increases in importance to the legislator.
• Don't be offended if the legislator does not return your call promptly. With all the activities going on in Columbus, legislators often cannot get to their constituent requests until late in the day. Don't be surprised if you receive a phone call from the legislator at home during the evening. Even if the legislator does not return your call within a few days, be patient (unless there is a required deadline such as an upcoming vote on a bill). Place another call to both the local and Columbus offices and remind staff that you recently called and would like the opportunity to discuss an important issue.
• Personalize your correspondence. Form letters get answered with form letters.