How To Work Effectively With Legislators
How To Work Effectively With Legislators Understanding where they are coming from will help you.
Ray Coyne of Hutchinson, Shockey, Erley & Co.
4/11/14
One business manager cultivated a relationship over the years with his Democratic Senator and his Republican State Representative that was so strong they signed a letter endorsing a Debt Service Extension Base creation referendum without even reading the letter. This business manager goes to their fundraisers and finds other ways of relating to their constraints so they care about his constraints.
Ray Coyne of Hutchinson, Shockey, Erley & Co.
4/11/14
Supporting your referendum is an example of what they can do for you if you cultivate a relationship. Relationships work best as two way streets that have lots of time invested but even if you are just getting started you can make some headway.
Ray Coyne of Hutchinson, Shockey, Erley & Co.
4/11/14
First Commandment of Working With Public Officials l Honesty
is the best policy. l Never lie or mislead a public official about the relative importance of an issue, the opponent’s position or strength, or any other matter.
Ray Coyne of Hutchinson, Shockey, Erley & Co.
4/11/14
Second Commandment of Working With Public Officials l
Look for friends in unusual places. In politics, a friend is someone who works with you on a particular issue-whether a Democrat or Republican, liberal or conservative-even if that person or group opposes you on every other issue.
l
Most of them are afraid of you. Get to know them ahead of time.
Ray Coyne of Hutchinson, Shockey, Erley & Co.
4/11/14
Third Commandment of Working With Public Officials l Never
cut off anybody from contact. Do not let a public official consider you a bitter enemy because you disagree; today’s opponent may become tomorrow’s ally. l Search them out ahead of time. Have coffee, find common ground.
Ray Coyne of Hutchinson, Shockey, Erley & Co.
4/11/14
Fourth Commandment of Working With Public Officials l Do
not grab credit. “Nothing is impossible if it does not matter who gets the credit.” l Try to sit in the public official’s shoes. What is in it for them? Maybe solving your problem could be good PR for them.
Ray Coyne of Hutchinson, Shockey, Erley & Co.
4/11/14
Fifth Commandment of Working With Public Officials l Your
word is your bond. Never promise anything you cannot deliver. l Do not promise a photo opportunity at graduation if you cannot deliver.
Ray Coyne of Hutchinson, Shockey, Erley & Co.
4/11/14
Sixth Commandment of Working With Public Officials l If
someone is already publicly locked into a particular position, go after neutral, open minded, or moderately committed people.
Ray Coyne of Hutchinson, Shockey, Erley & Co.
4/11/14
Seventh Commandment of Working With Public Officials l Never
forget to notice and thank anyone who has helped you. “The good ole boy/ good ole girl” system is alive and well in Springfield and in your home community. l Gratefulness works wonders in a world where you have to keep coming back, and back. l If an official votes right tell him or her so.
Ray Coyne of Hutchinson, Shockey, Erley & Co.
4/11/14
Eighth Commandment of Working With Public Officials l Do
not gossip. Knowing public official’s peculiarities and peccadilloes is one thing; talking about them is something else. Remember that discretion is the better part of valor.
Ray Coyne of Hutchinson, Shockey, Erley & Co.
4/11/14
Ninth Commandment of Working With Public Officials l “When
you are crossed politically, don’t get mad. Get even.” (Bobby Kennedy) The power of the ballot box is yours.
Ray Coyne of Hutchinson, Shockey, Erley & Co.
4/11/14
Tenth Commandment of Working With Public Officials l Treat
public officials respectfully. Be clear about what you want them to do. Tell them clearly and concisely about ramifications for you, your district, and your community.
Ray Coyne of Hutchinson, Shockey, Erley & Co.
4/11/14
Summary l Respect
the position l See it from their eyes. l Their job is to help their district and the people in it so after getting to know them, let them know how they can help in concrete ways. l Be specific. Be concise. Be reasonable.
Ray Coyne of Hutchinson, Shockey, Erley & Co.
4/11/14
Where to Get More Information l Illinois
Association of School Boards “Lobbying for the Public Schools,” particularly Richard Lockhart.
Ray Coyne of Hutchinson, Shockey, Erley & Co.
4/11/14
Ray Coyne of Hutchinson, Shockey, Erley & Co.
4/11/14
One business manager cultivated a relationship over the years with his Democratic Senator and his Republican State Representative that was so strong they signed a letter endorsing a Debt Service Extension Base creation referendum without even reading the letter. This business manager goes to their fundraisers and finds other ways of relating to their constraints so they care about his constraints.
Ray Coyne of Hutchinson, Shockey, Erley & Co.
4/11/14
Supporting your referendum is an example of what they can do for you if you cultivate a relationship. Relationships work best as two way streets that have lots of time invested but even if you are just getting started you can make some headway.
Ray Coyne of Hutchinson, Shockey, Erley & Co.
4/11/14
First Commandment of Working With Public Officials l Honesty
is the best policy. l Never lie or mislead a public official about the relative importance of an issue, the opponent’s position or strength, or any other matter.
Ray Coyne of Hutchinson, Shockey, Erley & Co.
4/11/14
Second Commandment of Working With Public Officials l
Look for friends in unusual places. In politics, a friend is someone who works with you on a particular issue-whether a Democrat or Republican, liberal or conservative-even if that person or group opposes you on every other issue.
l
Most of them are afraid of you. Get to know them ahead of time.
Ray Coyne of Hutchinson, Shockey, Erley & Co.
4/11/14
Third Commandment of Working With Public Officials l Never
cut off anybody from contact. Do not let a public official consider you a bitter enemy because you disagree; today’s opponent may become tomorrow’s ally. l Search them out ahead of time. Have coffee, find common ground.
Ray Coyne of Hutchinson, Shockey, Erley & Co.
4/11/14
Fourth Commandment of Working With Public Officials l Do
not grab credit. “Nothing is impossible if it does not matter who gets the credit.” l Try to sit in the public official’s shoes. What is in it for them? Maybe solving your problem could be good PR for them.
Ray Coyne of Hutchinson, Shockey, Erley & Co.
4/11/14
Fifth Commandment of Working With Public Officials l Your
word is your bond. Never promise anything you cannot deliver. l Do not promise a photo opportunity at graduation if you cannot deliver.
Ray Coyne of Hutchinson, Shockey, Erley & Co.
4/11/14
Sixth Commandment of Working With Public Officials l If
someone is already publicly locked into a particular position, go after neutral, open minded, or moderately committed people.
Ray Coyne of Hutchinson, Shockey, Erley & Co.
4/11/14
Seventh Commandment of Working With Public Officials l Never
forget to notice and thank anyone who has helped you. “The good ole boy/ good ole girl” system is alive and well in Springfield and in your home community. l Gratefulness works wonders in a world where you have to keep coming back, and back. l If an official votes right tell him or her so.
Ray Coyne of Hutchinson, Shockey, Erley & Co.
4/11/14
Eighth Commandment of Working With Public Officials l Do
not gossip. Knowing public official’s peculiarities and peccadilloes is one thing; talking about them is something else. Remember that discretion is the better part of valor.
Ray Coyne of Hutchinson, Shockey, Erley & Co.
4/11/14
Ninth Commandment of Working With Public Officials l “When
you are crossed politically, don’t get mad. Get even.” (Bobby Kennedy) The power of the ballot box is yours.
Ray Coyne of Hutchinson, Shockey, Erley & Co.
4/11/14
Tenth Commandment of Working With Public Officials l Treat
public officials respectfully. Be clear about what you want them to do. Tell them clearly and concisely about ramifications for you, your district, and your community.
Ray Coyne of Hutchinson, Shockey, Erley & Co.
4/11/14
Summary l Respect
the position l See it from their eyes. l Their job is to help their district and the people in it so after getting to know them, let them know how they can help in concrete ways. l Be specific. Be concise. Be reasonable.
Ray Coyne of Hutchinson, Shockey, Erley & Co.
4/11/14
Where to Get More Information l Illinois
Association of School Boards “Lobbying for the Public Schools,” particularly Richard Lockhart.
Ray Coyne of Hutchinson, Shockey, Erley & Co.
4/11/14
