| IHRSA Report | In Brief W
Climbing Tips for IHRSA’s 10th Annual Summit!
hen, a few years ago, Desiree Fletcher-Hayes, the owner of an Anytime Fitness facility in Altoona, Iowa, was preparing to go to her first Summit for a Healthier America, she had a few reservations. “I was most concerned about knowing what to say and how to say it,” she recalls.
Her feelings then reflect a nearly universal fear on the part of first-time Summit attendees. It’s one that will undoubtedly arise again next month, May 1–2, during the early hours of IHRSA’s 10th Annual Summit for a Healthier America, when fitness professionals gather on Congress’ doorstep to fight against epidemic obesity and for increased physical activity (see “Summit,” pg. 43). For most first-timers, meeting with members of Congress seems a daunting experience—until they actually sit down with their senator or representative and realize how easy it can be. In fact, anyone—whether they’re a CEO or a front-desk staffer, and whether their business is a mom-and-pop club, or a multinational chain—can be a successful advocate for the fitness industry. The following 10 tips can make anyone an effective advocate. 1. Define your objective. Before going into a meeting, make sure you know what information you want to convey and what action you’d like the legislator to take. During the meeting, state the issue you’re there to discuss, referencing a bill name and number, if possible.
2. Get a feel for the member of Congress. It’s helpful to understand where they stand on an issue. Study their prior votes, position statements on their Website, or editorials they’ve written.
3. Know the issue. An educated advocate is an effective advocate. Familiarize yourself with the facts and possible impacts of legislation, and be able to share examples from your club or from another community.
4. Relax—it won’t take long. Most meetings with members of Congress last only 10–15 minutes.
5. Don’t be disappointed if you meet with a staff member instead of a senator or representative. Staff play a key role in legislative offices. Legislators rely heavily on their staff and seek their counsel before voting. In many cases, it’s actually better to meet with a staff member.
6. Make a special connection. If you have something in common with a legislator—for instance, you went to the same college, or one of their friends belongs to your club—mention it when you’re introducing yourself.
7. Be careful when discussing financial contributions. Talking about money in an elected official’s office is forbidden. During an official meeting, explicitly stating that you’ve made political contributions to a senator or representative, or noting that you support them politically, is illegal.
8. Be direct about your “ask.” Clearly ask the person you’re meeting with to take a specific action. For instance, you could ask them to become a cosponsor of a federal health-promotion bill. A helpful phrase is, “Can we count on your support?”
9. Be prepared to answer questions. You don’t have to be a political expert to lobby your legislators, so it’s okay if you can’t answer all of their questions. However, if you can’t, tell them that you’ll get back to them with the requested information as soon as possible. They’ll appreciate your honesty and commitment.
10. Don’t forget the follow-up. Send a thank-you note to the legislator or staff member that you met with. The goal is to keep the lines of communication open. Offer additional information or assistance, and extend an invitation to them to visit your club. —|
.org
For more lobbying tips, log on to
ihrsa.org/advocacy-101.
ihrsa.org |
APRIL 2012 |
Club Business Internat ional 111
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