How to meet with your Member of Parliament (MP) 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Find out who your local MP is Set up a meeting Before the Meeting Pre-‐meeting Expectations After the Meeting Find out who your local MP is – check this link, and use your postal code: http://www.parl.gc.ca/Parlinfo/Compilations/HouseOfCommons/MemberByPostalCode .aspx?Menu=HOC Set up a meeting – how? Try several ways: 1) Call the constituency office using TTY relay, or IP relay. Give your name, your postal code, and the reason that you’d like to meet with the MP. Ask when the MP will next be in town, and when he will be available to meet with you. Figure out a date and time that works with your schedule. 2) Go walk into the constituency office directly to request the meeting. Making a good impression will also increase your chances of getting access to your MP. 3) If the MP is unavailable for a meeting, request a meeting with a member of his or her staff. Staffs have more time to meet with you and they can bring your issues, share your concerns, with the MP. Before the Meeting -‐ preparation for your meeting: a. Stay informed and updated on the issue, the VRS in Canada situation. b. Develop a list of questions that you have for the MP c. Bring Materials that the MP can refer to later (provided in a separate page/link) d. Give a one-‐page brief that gives a concise/summary and background on the issue, your concerns, and your proposed solutions. More information available at this link: http://www.cpj.ca/en/content/how-‐write-‐one-‐page-‐brief A sample can be found at this link: http://www.cpj.ca/files/docs/Sample_Brief.pdf e. Ask staff beforehand how much information the MP has on the issue. For example, is he/she aware of VRS issue in Canada? This way you will know where to start, how much information you need to share. Offer to send, or e-‐mail, informational materials ahead of time. ©BCVRS Committee Pre-‐meeting Expectations: 1. Be prepared to listen. In a typical meeting with an MP, the MP talks two-‐thirds (2/3) of the time, and you only 1/3. 2. Focus on how you can help the MP do his job. Where are the gaps in information? Do you have information that will be of value to her/him? 3. A meeting with an MP usually lasts no more than an hour. If you have an agreed-‐upon time limit, stick to it. At the meeting: 1) Present your case in a clear and concise way, stating the exact nature of your concern and precisely what you want the MP to do about it. 2) Focus on only one or two issues. 3) Insist on a straight answer to your questions. 4) If the representative agrees with you, get it in writing. 5) Even though you may be very passionate about your issue, and may disagree strongly with the MP’s position/view/opinion, have a calm and respectful dialogue. Show that you are willing to work with her/him. 6) Even if the MP disagrees with you, thank him or her for the time and opportunity to meet. After the Meeting: Follow up. Write a letter thanking the MP for meeting with you. In your letter, summarize any commitments that were made, and ask for an update on what has been done. Be persistent. Write and call your MP regularly about the issue, especially as you see new developments occurring. Give the MP adequate time to respond in between contacting him, so that you can have a dialogue with him about the issue. After you have taken action, stay informed about the progress made on your issue. After you have signed a petition, let your MP know why you signed it. Modified from original wording found at: http://www.cpj.ca/en/content/how-‐meet-‐your-‐mp ©BCVRS Committee