Masonry Magazine March 2003 Page. 13
Become an insider, a trusted ally of that member, and he or she will look to you for advice on certain issues. Believe me, not everyone has that privilege or for that matter, makes the attempt to earn it. Yet I promise you it reaps huge dividends, not just for you and your company, but for the organization you're a part of and want to help.
Aside from getting to know your elected officials on a more personal basis, you should know that staffs are vital to the process. They are the people that do the leg work, the research, respond to your letters and phone calls, and make things happen for the member. Sure the member makes the final decision about how to vote, what legislation and initiatives to support, etc., but if you get to know a staff member very well, I can guarantee that you'll have much more access to the member when you absolutely need it.
So do yourself a favor. If you can't get in touch with your local representative immediately, find out who it is on their staff that deals with issues of interest to you and your organization. Take them to lunch. Send the staff donuts one morning. Take them to a sporting event. Have pizza delivered if you find out they're going to work late. They won't forget you. Staffs work long and hard.
In Washington, for instance, sometimes staff schedules are such that they hardly have time to eat anywhere but at their desks because they are required to monitor everything that's going on in the House or on the Senate floor. If there's an important committee hearing going on, even if the member is attending to other duties, staff are required to stay at the hearing and apprise the member of what transpired. Hearings can last a lifetime; they're often boring. So if staff come in one morning after a late night the day before and have breakfast waiting for them or a lunch, dinner or sporting event to look forward to, you'll be at the top of their list! Forever! They'll take your call before anyone else's and return it sooner than anyone else's.
I know. I worked on the Hill for 22 years. When you are in a position to do people favors, to draw attention to matters important to them, and they treat you how you know you should be treated, you remember it for a long time. Let the staff know how important they are to you.
Now, I can probably predict how some of you are reacting to these suggestions. I DON'T HAVE TIME FOR THIS! The image of Charlie Brown yelling that very phrase comes to mind!
PHOOEY! MAKE TIME! All it takes is one phone call. Mr. Davis
When it comes to cleaning & protecting concrete,
from Louisiana did, and I bet he's never regretted it!
Marian Marshall was named director of the MCAA Government Affairs office July 1, 2002. She has nearly 25 years experience working with the Congress and Executive branches of the U.S. government and oversees all MCAA legislative, regulatory and political action activities.
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March 2003
Masonry 11