Ginger E Adam, President, Governmental Relations firm,                                                 Ginger E. Adam, L.L.C. (Baton Rouge)

• Define your group
• Name a legislative committee within your group
• Research your issue (examine comparable statutes in other states; compile statistics)
• Know your legislator
• Use the media
• Be consistent
• Work at the grassroots level and use personal contact with your legislator (before the session begins)
• Be aware of the Legislative process, members of the committee(s) to consider your legislation, legislators interested in your legislature, and stay aware and up-to-date of happenings at the Capitol

DO thank the elected official for taking your viewpoint into consideration; be honest and informative in your communications; be concise, positive and attentive; be specific about the action you wish taken (committee vote? speak in favor in the Chamber? affirmative vote?)

DON'T be narrowly ideological or unreasonable; be arrogant, threatening or confrontational; be over technical; use a mobile phone or PDA during your communications with the elected official.