I met with my Senator and you can too!
By Maria Mooney
What would a notable New Jersey Senator want with little ol’ me? I asked myself this very question at the start of 2010 when I received a call from Senator Joseph Kyrillos’ office asking me to come in and share my story, which is explained in detail here. Shortly after, I gained my composure and reminded myself that I am special, unique, and worthy of the Senator’s time because my passion brings me joy and provides me with endless opportunities to serve others. Before I reveal the outcome of our electrifying meeting, allow me to provide you with some basic pointers pertaining to advocacy work and the “how to’s” of meeting with your legislator.
1. E-mail, call, or write a letter to your legislator about the topic of interest you have a desire to advocate for. Make it short and sweet, while adding the most important details and leaving out extraneous information. Remember, these are busy folks, so be memorable and BE KIND!
2. Before your meeting, make Google your friend. Read up on your legislator’s biography, the issues he/she is a champion for, committees he/she serves on, and awards he/she has received. Knowledge is power no matter what the circumstance.
3. Prepare the documents that you will be presenting to your legislator, and if you are like me, carry them in a bright colored folder! I chose bright orange (pink and purple were runners up). For example, I left a brochure explaining RSD/CRPS, my resume, and my first CSL blog post with information on crazysexylife.com. What is a meeting with a senator without mentioning Kris Carr and Crazy Sexy Life?
4. If you know your nerves often get the best of you, practice speaking beforehand. Keep in mind, you will have thirty minutes or less to meet with your legislator, so use your time wisely. Kill him/her with kindness, passion, and a snazzy outfit. A little sparkle never hurt anyone!
5. Meet with your legislator! Make eye contact, remember your manners, and use body language that expresses confidence. Convey to him/her that your message is unique and your cause is worth his/her time, effort, and backing.
6. Follow up with your legislator and his/her staff within a few business days expressing your gratitude for the opportunity. Let him/her know that you are excited and will be in touch to follow through with what you discussed together.
7. Pat yourself on the back for a job well done! You just met with a legislator!
Meeting with Senator Kyrillos was like meeting with a very accomplished friend. His presence and charm are undeniable, but his ability to make you feel comfortable on the spot is pure magic. A few minutes into our conversation, I stopped shaking and started doing what I do best, which is advocate for holistic, compassionate, affordable, integrative, and individualized care for persons with chronic pain and illness. I want the patients to be viewed as the expert, minimizing the large power differential that exists between doctor and patient, and the health professional to be the facilitator of holistic and integrative care. “First, do no harm,” is a principle that has been overlooked in recent years, creating a system where diseases progress and individuals are left to solve their problems alone.
The Senator’s main question was, “How can I help you accomplish your goals?” We came to the following action plan:
1. Create a personalized website for persons with chronic pain.
2. Write a proposal to Congress (where I will testify) and a press release.
3. Increase my own advocacy work. My long-term goal is to lecture to health professionals in hospitals across the country about chronic pain, illness, and disability and the above mentioned topics of interest.
For now, I am thrilled with the outcome of our meeting and excited for what the future holds. As a budding social worker, advocacy runs through my veins, and my life is dedicated to the service of others, especially the vulnerable and the oppressed. Remember, YOU can make a difference! Now, go forth and serve others!
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