Biker Day at the Capitol

Dear Cuz—I’m hearing alot of buzz on Biker Day at the Capitol. 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

Seat-filler

Dear Seat-filler,

You are just the member ABATE had in mind when we bounced ideas around on how we could improve Biker Day at the Capitol 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 (see the list in this issue of the newsletter) 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 attending 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 knowledge of the “talking points” that will guide us on what we will be covering that day in Madison.

When your bus gets to Madison, it will drop you off right outside 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 (your bus captain may have already filled you in about appointments for your legislative districts). 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 if you need help or a kind word or a hug, 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 set-up of the day, and if they can’t go themselves, 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.” Our Lobby Training workshops have trained almost 200 of our own members to have the skills they need to help others on Lobby Day. 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.” We hope to see you in Madison.! The Command Center will be filled with many people willing to help you throughout the day…