New Jersey Library Trustee Institute

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New Jersey Library Trustee Institute

• Connecting With Elected Officials
• Committeeman Kevin M. Nedd (I)
• Township of Washington (Morris)
• September 28, 2007

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Agenda

• Understanding Elected Officials
• Develop a Strategy
• Making a Case
• Meeting 101
• Ad-Hoc Communications
• Follow up and Follow up
• Donts

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Understanding Elected Officials

• We tend to have big egos.
• We have a lot to do, and not a lot of time in
  which to do it.
• Relationships are important as we often rely on
  others for information and advice.
• We want every constituent to think his or her
  interests are being represented.
• Trust is our primary currency.
• Yes we want to be re-elected!

4
Develop a strategy

• Target specific officials on the governing body
• Do we have relevant interests or values?
• Have we voiced or made statements you can build
  on?
• Grab hold of rookies looking to make a good
  first impression.
• Dont forget about those seeking election.
• Know their position on libraries
• Who supports and opposes you?
• What are your oppositions issues, and how can
  they be neutralized?

5
Develop a strategy (cont.)

• Know the politics
• Who are the key players and what are their
  relationships to the officials youre targeting?
• Identify potential allies or opponents who have
  influence with officials.
• Do a self assessment
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of your
  library?
• Be prepared to promote where you are strong and
  defend where improvement is needed as this will
  build credibility.

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Making a Case

• Appeal to our self-interests by explaining how
  your issue will effect our constituents in ways
  we should be concerned about.
• Never forget the straight out appeal to reason
  and common sense.
• Bear in mind that what makes sense to you, may
  seem misguided if I have different beliefs.
• Appeal to ideology when you know my particular
  political philosophy as it might be useful to
  frame your issue in terms I aspire to uphold.

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Meeting 101

• Dont assume we know what you are talking about.
• Public officials often wont tell if we dont
• Start by talking about the issue and its
  importance
• If we do know the issue, then be brief and tell
  us something new we may not be aware of
• Ask direct questions and wait for an answer.
• Even if it means sitting through a silence
• If we dont answer, rephrase the question
• If we are unwilling to answer, ask why
• Ask for a demonstration of support.
• Dont let us get away with just agreeing with you
• Make sure we commit to taking a specific action
• If you get a No, understand what it means.

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Ad-hoc Communications

• If we have an official phone number and/or email
  address, use it.
• Avoid calls to our home/cell phones unless we
  have invited you to do so.
• Once you do connect, be direct and succinct
• What is the issue you are contacting me about?
  Why is it important?
• What is it you want me to do?
• What will happen if I dont intercede?
• Pass on information needed to help you.
• Contact names
• Phone numbers
• Important facts that help your case

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Follow Up and Follow Up

• If an we are noncommittal, or if you think we can
  be swayed to support your position, continue to
  apply pressure.
• If we give a commitment of support, send a letter
  affirming your understanding of what was agreed
  to.
• Stay in touch by phone/email until action is
  taken by vote or a completed activity.
• Sometimes commitments get brokenyou want to be
  among the first to know.
• No matter what the outcome, send a thank you note.

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Donts

• Never lie
• Be scrupulous with facts (no matter how small)
• Your creditability is shot as soon as you say
  something an official knows is not true
• Never make a threat
• You should hold us accountable for our actions
• However it wont help your cause to threaten that
  we will never win re-election, for example
• Dont make it personal, or take it personally
• Always be professional as it is expected of your
  organization
• Its okay to be passionate, but there is a line

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Questions