STORYTELLING
WITH LEGISLATORS
It’s important for elected officials to hear from their constituents so that they are reminded how their decisions impact real people in real places. Legislators pay attention to which programs work in their communities and which ones don’t. Sharing stories will help the elected officials you are engaging with understand how the issue you raise is changing, affecting, or improving lives.
01
Choose one story to tell:
Meetings with legislators are often short and you may only have a few minutes to tell your story. Pick one story that is clear and concise.
02
Personalized / Unique:
Focus on the personal aspects of your story by sharing one or two details to make it unique and memorable. Elected officials and their staff hear countless stories during a day and details will help you and the issue you bring up stand out.
03
Connect the Story to a Request.
Connect your individual story to your larger request/ask by sharing a piece of data about the bigger issue it represents. But, this is the icing on the cake. The real purpose of your story is to make your audience care about your issue as much as you do.