The WHS Guide to Setting Up and Engaging in Effective Political Meetings

Meeting with politicians about concerns close to the heart can be intimidating and anxiety-provoking, especially if you have never done so before. To boost your confidence and ensure a successful meeting, follow our guide on how to set up, prepare for, and engage in meaningful dialogue.

1. Set up the meeting

– Find out who the MLA is in your riding.

– Phone or email the MLA’s office and ask to schedule an in-person appointment or phone call. Share:

- Your name
- That you are a constituent
- Who you represent (if representing a group/organization)
- What you wish to discuss with the MLA
- How you want to meet – in person (most effective) or through a phone call. If you leave a voicemail, send a follow-up email to the campaign office

2. Prepare for the meeting

– Email the MLA relevant information to brief them on the issue(s) you’d like to discuss prior to the meeting. Example: research papers, news articles, WHS content from the web, etc.

– Research the MLA so you can connect on a personal level and build a relationship for future work together. Consider how to present the issue(s) to an MLA that may be different from your political perspective. While you should not abandon your concerns, individuals from different political perspectives will respond best to certain messages.

– Your meeting may be limited to 20-30 minutes. Being clear on what you want to discuss is key. Make notes on the issue(s) you wish to address, what you’d like to see happen, and how that will have a positive impact. Examples and stories are powerful.

3. Have the meeting

– Start by introducing yourself and connecting with the MLA.

– Present your facts, concerns, and ideas in a clear and concise manner. You will likely know more about the issue, so stick to the basics.

– The MLA will likely ask questions. Try to answer them as best you can however, don’t feel like you have to be an expert. If you don’t have an answer, respond that you will look into it. Your job is simply to express your concerns.

– After you’ve shared your position and concerns, ask the MLA to state their position and the position of their party.

– Thank the MLA for their time and leave helpful information behind.

4. Follow up

– Send the MLA an email thanking them for their time and reinforcing the key points you made in the meeting. Send any information you may have promised.

– If representing an organization, you may want to invite the MLA to address your members at a meeting or town hall.

– Stay in touch. Send the MLA updates on issues—especially those in which they took a particular interest.