KCPC Home | How to Contact Your Legislators | Advocacy Days 2007 Schedule | Tips for a Smooth Advocacy Day

1.  MAKE APPOINTMENTS

In order to make Advocacy Day as smooth as possible, please contact us ahead of time so we know you are attending.  Please consider if you would like to make your own appointments or if you would like us to make the appointments.  Please keep in mind legislators can run late so give yourself a few extra minutes to get from building to building when making appointments.  Cathy or Betsy will be happy to help with these details.

2.  WHERE TO MEET

You may meet us in Olympia if you wish.  The briefing begins at United Churches (see map) at 10:00 am. If you wish to carpool WE CAN MEET YOU AT A PARK AND RIDE ALONG I-405, in the parking lot of the Doubletree Guest Suites 16500 Southcenter Parkway at Tukwila or a park and ride south of Tukwila on I-5. Let us know which one is convenient for you.  If you are meeting us at the Doubletree in Tukwila, we meet in the northwest corner of the parking lot of Doubletree Guest Suites.  McDonald’s is right across the street.  We ask people to be at the parking lot at the Doubletree Guest Suites at 8:45-8:50 am as we must leave at 9:00 a.m.  For times to meet at other Park and Ride sites, please give us a call. Often we do not return until 4-5:00 pm so if you have any time constraints, please let us know when you first contact us.

3.  WHAT TO DO IF YOU ARE RUNNING LATE TO MEET US:

• If Cathy Murahashi has contacted you, and you are late or unable to attend, please call her on her cell phone #425-269-9915. 
   
• If Betsy McAlister has contacted you, please call her at #425-463-5566 for any changes. 

4.  WHAT TO WEAR

COMFORTABLE SHOES! There is a lot of walking involved and marble floors are hard on the feet!  WEAR BUSINESS CASUAL: not too dressy, but not sweats.

5.  WHAT TO BRING? 

A SACK LUNCH OR MONEY FOR LUNCH.  There is a cafeteria with reasonably priced food. ($5-6 range) BRING A PICTURE of your child/or family.  It helps to personalize the issues. If you can, put important requests in writing and bring the request with you.

6.  WHAT NEXT?

In the car to Olympia, Margaret-Lee, Betsy or Cathy will prepare you for the day by talking about the session, important bills, or suggestions on how to advocate effectively.  This is a good time to think of specific points and questions you need to ask you legislator.  Think of one important issue for your family and stick with that issue. 

7.  WHAT HAPPENS AT THE ADVOCACY DAY MEETING IN THE MORNING?

The meeting is held at the United Churches which is across the street from the State Capitol campus. If you drive yourself, please look for the Advocacy Signs in the front of the parking lot (upstairs) or in the back parking lot (downstairs).  The meetings are sometimes held upstairs and sometimes downstairs. The meeting begins at 10:00 am with an hour and half briefing on current issues.  There is an opportunity to pick up information on specific bills and to pick up a ½ blank yellow sheet: “Message from an advocate for people with developmental disabilities”.  This is an easy way to write a message for your legislator. Sometimes, a legislator will need to cancel an appointment so you can leave this yellow sheet with their L.A.

8.  WHO IS THE LA?   

The Legislator’s Assistant is called the L.A.  He/she is responsible for making appointments, doing some research, and providing their legislator with appropriate information.  GET TO KNOW THE AIDE:  They are a valuable resource.

9.  LUNCH TIME

After the Advocacy Day meeting, we head to the cafeteria to eat lunch and discuss our afternoon’s plans.  There is food, restrooms, and a box to place Arc of Washington Evaluation forms (near the restrooms).

10.  ADVOCACY TIME.   BUILD A RELATIONSHIP

Be friendly and respectful. Get to know your legislators.  It helps to know their unique perspective.  Be an advocate, not an adversary. The bridges you build today may open doors tomorrow. WHEN YOU DON’T KNOW SOMETHING say, “I don’t know, but I know someone who can tell you this. I will have them contact your office.”  You are not expected to know data and DD information. Your job is to tell your own story. Remember, speak about only one issue. In the midst of the session is not the time to expect a long appointment.  ASK YOUR LEGISLATOR: What can I do to help?  Do you have any advice for us?

11.  AT THE END OF THE DAY IN OLYMPIA . . .

Please fill out the Evaluation form which you receive at the morning meeting. You can give it to one of us in the car, mail it in or place it in a box near the cafeteria site. This is important to give your input to the WA State D.D. Council who funds Advocacy Day. This helps them in their consumer feedback requirement.

12.  ALLOW RESONABLE TIME FOR REQUESTS TO BE PROCESSED, AND THEN FOLLOW UP WITH PHONE CALLS AND LETTERS. 

Be sure and write your name, address and legislative district on any communication you have with your legislator.  If you desire a reply, please say so in your correspondence. During session, campaign reform laws allow legislators only to give a reply to the public, if the person has asked for a reply.

13.  BE APPRECIATIVE: 

Send a thank you note.  Give your legislator credit and praise for every great idea.  Senators:  PO Box 40482, Olympia, WA  98504-0482; Representatives: PO Box 40600, Olympia, WA  98504-0600.  Please address your legislator with their title and their last name. E.g. Senator Jones.

14.DON'T GET DISCOURAGED

System changes often move at glacial speed.  Remember you are there for your child!

 Margaret-Lee Thompson, Cathy Murahashi, and Betsy McAlister
                          The King County Parent Coalition for Developmental Disabilities                       

Contact Cathy Murahashi at 425-643-4048 or cmurahashi@arcofkingcounty.org for questions.