Auntie ABATE / “Cuz” Report

Dear Cuz — What can you tell me to convince me that it’s worth my time to go to Lobby Day when I don’t have any experience dealing with politicians? I also don’t know a whole lot about the issues we will probably be telling them about. Am I just wasting a seat on the bus?

Seat-filler

Dear Seat-filler,

You are just the member we had in mind when we bounced ideas around on how we could improve Lobby Day for the average member and therefore improve attendance. What the legislative committee was trying to build with our current lobby day set-up was an event that everyone could take part in, no matter what skill level they were at when it comes to legislation.

Each bus has a bus leader. This bus leader is someone that “knows the ropes” and can answer many of your questions on the first phone call you make to reserve your seat. All the bus leaders are people who have “been around the legislative block,” have attended lobby training, and have been to Madison (and some to Washington DC) a number of times. Not only can they answer many of your questions, they will have the “talking points” sheets on the bus and can fill the bus riders in on what we will be covering that day in Madison.

When your bus gets to Madison, it will drop you off right outside the hotel we have chosen as our “Command Center,” a room filled with information and other ABATE members very willing to help you. You’ll be able to look at a chart to find appointments that have been made with your legislators. If there isn’t a group meeting already scheduled to cover your legislative districts, you will not have to go alone. We will have people available to go with you. At any time you need help, look around you and find one of the MANY ABATE of Wisconsin members that will be wearing RED lanyards around their necks with an ASK ME sign on them. These are people who also know the ropes, know the setup of the day, they will find someone to go across the street to the Capitol with you.

ABATE of Wisconsin will have a packet of information ready for each legislator’s office. The packet will contain information about ABATE of Wisconsin and all of the information about the topics we wish to bring before the legislators this year.

One of the most important tools you have when meeting with a legislator is the fact that other ABATE of Wisconsin members “have your back.” Chances are very good that you will not have to speak at a meeting unless you wish to do so. If you want to give it a try, we have people that are ready and willing to help you feel comfortable with the process at any level. Never forget that you always have the option to say, “I don’t know the answer to that. Let me find out and get back to you.”

Hope to see you in Madison.!

Your ever loving “Cuz”