Lobbying 101

While we're on the subject of the First Amendment, let's look at another part of it. For the past several weeks we have been debating the Establishment Clause and the Free Exercise Clause, and we all know about the freedom of speech and the press. Often overlooked - perhaps because we take it for granted - is the petition clause, i.e., "Congress shall make no law...abridging...the right of the people...to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

If you emailed the selectmen about a pothole, you exercised your right to petition.

What most folks don't realize is that the right to petition, like our other rights, is an umbrella under which a variety of activities are protected. Not only can you petition the government to right wrongs, but you can sue the government. Lobbying is yet another activity protected by the First Amendment.

Before I was elected, I lobbied the way most people do. If there was something near and dear to me, I would write a letter to the appropriate elected official. Sometimes I would call, email, or send a fax. It was almost always a one-time thing. The letter/email/fax got sent and I would forget about it.

So would my elected official.

Now that I am in office, I've learned that a significant part of my workload is determined by my constituents. Requests for my time come from all directions. Issues often seem to appear out of nowhere, and some of the decisions I make can create still more issues and demands. As much as I try to prioritize these requests, things still get lost in the cracks. It is never intentional, rather it's simply a byproduct of the rat race.

With that in mind, how does a citizen keep something from getting lost in the cracks? How do you get things done without annoying your representative?

I met Mr. G last year, after my election. He is the perfect constituent. Mr. G is new to politics; he only recently got involved in his neighborhood association and contacted me about a couple of issues. Over the past several months, Mr. G and I have developed a good rapport, in large part due to his approach.

Mr. G and I usually communicate via email or telephone, and occasionally in person. His communications are always...

1) Persistent. He regularly updates me, or requests updates. Email is his most frequent method of communication, and those might come my way once a month or once a week. The communications are not excessive, but they are regular, and he is always...

2) Polite. His communications are never rude, and his requests are never demanding. He acknowledges that I am busy, and he is always thanking me for my time and support. Moreover, while he may be persistent in his communications, he is also...

3) Patient. His emails often include a statement such as, "Call me when you have a moment." If I do not reply immediately, he doesn't send yet another email or pick up the phone demanding a response.

Because Mr. G is new to politics, I don't think he honed this technique from years of experience with difficult politicians. It seems to come naturally to him, but it works. It is truly a pleasure working with him.

So there you have it folks, Lobbying 101. Want to get your representative to act on something? Be persistent, polite and patient.