Tips and Tools for Hosting Your Lawmaker
Sample Email: Invite to Legislator
First find your legislator’s contact information: http://www.gis.leg.mn/OpenLayers/districts/
Dear Senator/Representative [LAST NAME]:
My name is [NAME] and I am the [TITLE] at [NAME OF ORGANIZATION]. At [NAME OF ORGANIZATION] we serve over [NUMBER OF CLIENTS] older adults and employ [NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES]. We are located at: [ADDRESS]
On behalf of [INSERT NAME OF ORGANIZATION], I would like to extend an invitation to come visit and tour our organization during the month of February. During this visit you will have the opportunity to hear firsthand the positive impacts of the new payment system for care centers, and ways we can work together and continue to improve the quality of life for our aging population.
Please let us know a date and time that work for you and we would be happy to host the tour. I can be reached via email at [EMAIL] or by phone at: [PHONE NUMBER]
Thank you and we look forward to visiting with you!
[INSERT NAME AND POSITION]
Sample Phone Script: Invite Your Legislator to
First find your legislator’s contact information: http://www.gis.leg.mn/OpenLayers/districts/
When you call you will be directed to their legislative assistant.
“Hello, my name is [NAME] and I am the [POSITION] at [NAME OF ORGANIZATION]. Our facility falls under the district in which Senator/
Representative [LAST NAME] represents.
I would like to extend an invitation to Representative/Senator [LAST NAME] to visit our organization during the month of February. During this visit, he/she will have the opportunity to hear firsthand the positive impacts of the new payment system for care centers, and ways we can work together and continue to improve the quality of life for our aging population.
If you let us know a date and time that work for the Representative/Senator, we would be happy to host the tour.”
Talking Points for When the Legislator Visits:
A great way to start the meeting/tour is to sit down with the lawmakers and give them an introduction to your site (i.e. services you offer, number of seniors you serve, number of people you employ).After this introduction then take a tour of the site. As they tour, if there are employees or caregivers you would like them to meet, or if there are residents that would like to meet the lawmakers that would be great.
Here are some potential talking points:
· Lawmakers are very interested in hearing from providers what they are doing with the money for the new payment system or the scholarship program. Try to provide them with as many details as you have so far. If you have not made final decisions on the new payment system – state your goals for the system. Examples of details and/or goals for the new system:
o What are you doing for wage increases? Insurance benefits?
o What is your goal or timeline for fewer vacant positions? What are you current vacant positions?
o How you plan to increase quality?
o Are you doing any equipment updates?
o How many employees plan to use the scholarship program etc.
· As 60,000 seniors turn 65 each year from now until 2030, it is crucial that we continue this system to ensure quality care now and in the future. Talk about how the new payment system will help your organization plan for the future
· Workforce. Workforce. Workforce. Although the new payment system will aid in attracting and retaining more individuals into the field with higher wages, we need to ensure a strong workforce pipeline (i.e. funding to promote careers in LTC, support training programs in high schools, ensure nursing programs are maintained in our colleges, etc.)
· Talk to them about any barriers you are experiencing in care delivery (Technology, unnecessary regulations, etc.)
Tips for When the Legislator Visits:
1. INVITE THE MEDIA. Before the visit, contact your local reporter and invite them to the tour. This is a great way for the public to become more aware of topics that impact older adults. If you would like assistance with involving the media please contact Jodi Boyne at
2. TAKE PICTURES. When your legislator is on site, take pictures of their visit, and interactions with clients, caregivers and others.
3. SHARE THE PICTURES WITH THE LEGISLATOR.Legislators are always on the lookout for good photographic evidence of themselves interacting with constituents – please help them out! Sending the photos following their visit is also a good way to reinforce our message.
4. USE SOCIAL MEDIA!If your organization is on Facebook or Twitter, please post pictures of the visit and tag your lawmakers or use the hashtag: #mnleg
· Sample Facebook Post: Representative/Senator [LAST NAME] toured [NAME OF ORGANIZATION] to hear about the positive impact of the new payment system and ways we can continue to improve the lives of older adults.
· Sample Tweet: Thanks Rep/Sen. [LAST NAME] for touring our community today and listening to the ways we can improve the lives of MN seniors #mnleg
5. ALERT THE ASSOCIATION.Let us know when and where the visits are taking place and send us pictures of the visit. We will include these visits in our Advantage newsletter, and follow-up with the legislator when they return to St. Paul.
Sample Thank You to Your Legislator for Visting
First find your legislator’s contact information: http://www.gis.leg.mn/OpenLayers/districts/
Dear Senator/Representative [LAST NAME]
I want to take the opportunity to personally thank you for meeting with me, our senior residents and the staff of [NAME OF ORGANIZATION] on [DATE]. We appreciate you taking the time out of your busy day to listen to the long-term care topics that truly matter to your constituents.
I look forward to continuing this relationship with you and I look forward to future meetings with you. In the meantime, if I can be of any assistance please do not hesitate to contact me.
Thanks again,
[NAME]