The tips below were developed for National Volunteer week but can be adapted and applied to any topic you want to discus with various levels of government officials.
GOVERNMENT RELATIONS TIP SHEET
Communicating with elected officials
PLAN AHEAD
- Reach out to municipal, provincial, or federal elected representatives months in advance.
- Make sure what you’re asking for is clear.
- When meeting with an elected official, make sure a board member or senior volunteer is present.
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO ACHIEVE?
- To inform the official about National Volunteer Week and your community’s planned activities.
- To inform them about the work that volunteers perform in your community and its impact.
- To ensure they understand the value of volunteer work.
- To make them aware of the impact of their policies on volunteers and the organizations they work for in your community.
- To develop a good working relationship so that your organization can be a source of information about issues related to volunteerism in your community.
Provide elected officials the information they need to make good decisions that affect volunteers.
| TO DO: |
| • Know what issues they make policy on or can influence. |
| • Make yourself aware of elected officials’ positions on issues that affect volunteers in your area. |
| • Be flexible if you are meeting with an elected official. Their schedule may change on short notice. |
| • Prepare a concise one-page handout summarizing your main points. |
| • Explain the impact of their government’s policies and programs on your organization. |
Download NVW Tip Sheet