Perfecting connecting: reaching out to constituents is vital to bringing people into the political process and keeping them involved.

AuthorRose, Gene
PositionTools Of The Trade

Summer may be the perfect time to get out of the capital and reconnect with your constituents. Maintaining "face time" with the folks you represent is vital to forging successful relationships, bringing people into the political process--and keeping them involved. Specifically, most people believe:

* They hear from their legislators only when it's re-election time.

* Only people who donate money to a politician's campaign get their voices heard.

Legislators with good community relations find it mutually beneficial to get constituents "plugged in." It is up to you to reach out, educate constituents and keep a dialogue going about the issues. It will help you understand their thinking, and it will let them know their opinions matter. Community events provide a tremendous opportunity to get more involved and raise your visibility. Take advantage of these opportunities. Carry 3 x 5 cards while meeting constituents to write down requests. And have cards to hand out with your name, your district boundaries and ways people can reach you.

DON'T WAIT TO BE ASKED!

Think creatively about ways you can be proactive in reaching out to constituents. Participating in parades and county fairs is an obvious choice. You may want to restore or rent an old car to stand out at the fair. You could invite a local official, radio personality, state official or other local celebrity to join you for an hour or two. Consider taking out ads in the local paper or sending out cards or short newsletters containing useful information about state government, district boundaries--and your telephone number and e-mail address.

Take a tip from your local carpet cleaning company and send out refrigerator magnets, jar grippers or other giveaways with your phone number and e-mail address. Once you are in office, it is easy to get so caught up in what's happening in the Capitol that you forget about staying in touch with "the folks back home" who put you there.

Other ways to reach out include:

* Participate in a walk for charity.

* Have monthly breakfasts with the editors of local newspapers or school principals.

* Make an appearance at neighborhood picnics.

* Set up a booth at the local farmer's market.

* "Hold court" at a local coffee shop at the same time each month.

* Attend PTA and neighborhood association meetings.

* Help build a house for a low-income family.

ESTABLISH REGULAR OFFICE HOURS

Office hours provide a way for your constituents to talk to you privately, one-on-one...

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