Preparing to Meet with Your Council Member
Your meeting's on the books
You've identified the council member you'd like to work with and gotten time on their schedule to discuss their resolution. Congratulations! Now, let's make sure you're prepared to have a successful meeting.
Remember, your job is not to convince your council member that they should support the resolution, but instead to convince your council member that supporting the resolution will help them tremendously in the eyes of the electorate.
Things to remember before the meeting
Be flexible. It's possible your meeting date could change or shift as the council member's schedule changes. Don't be alarmed! This happens. Be willing to roll with the changes, and stay positive.
Be prepared. Have copies of your sample resolution printed for this meeting so you can share with your council member.
Bring your community. Who you bring to the meeting can be just as important as what you bring. Bring key people with you who can show why this resolutions matters to every part of your community. Showing the broad support for your resolution will reinforce that this measure is worth your council member's time.
Don't be afraid to say "I don't know." If your council member asks you a question you don't have the answer to, that's ok! Let them know you'll follow up with the answer. It's just another opportunity for follow up after the meeting.
Be prepared
Your council member is likely to have some questions. Make sure you've thought through the following, and be prepared to answer these and other questions.
What is your goal?
Why is passing this resolution important important?
The Far Right continues to try and put themselves in power, regardless of the outcome of an election - by changing state laws, threatening state officials, and packing election administration offices so that they can have the final say over election results. We must hold those involved in this ongoing criminal conspiracy accountable – no matter if they are former Presidents, members of Congress, or other federal and state officials. This is the only way we are going to protect our right to vote and choose our own leaders, and stop the current campaign to overturn future elections.
What relevance does this have for our community?
Is there public support for a resolution like this?
Our Council is bi-partisan or more conservative – can we get something like this passed here?
We have created a document of Conservative Talking Points that outlines reasons why conservatives should support a resolution to protect our democracy.
What is the point of passing a resolution that is symbolic?
Local resolutions on issues of state and national significance can build public momentum and discussion on the need for reforms. We will work with you to get media coverage on the passage and are doing this as part of a nationwide effort to pass similar resolutions.
Once your council member agrees to introduce a resolution, discuss a timeline and a strategy for getting the resolution passed. Ideally we would like to have these passed by mid-September, but understand that most likely councils will pass the resolutions throughout the fall and into the winter. You will want to know when the resolution is going to be voted on and if there will be any public hearings prior to that so that you can organize your community and the press for maximum visibility.