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Meeting with your elected officials and/or their staff is the best way to assure that your voice is heard. This is an excellent opportunity for you to personally educate your elected official about how afterschool improves academic achievement, helps working families and keeps kids safe. Use the tips below to ensure a successful visit.

• Call and make an appointment - Ask for the elected official's scheduler. Introduce yourself and briefly explain why you want to meet with the official. Be sure to mention that you are a constituent. Keep in mind that elected officials' schedules can change without notice. Always call to confirm appointments.
  
  
• Prepare for the meeting - Your elected officials have a limited amount of time to spend with you. It is essential that you prepare yourself in advance and make the most of your time. Think carefully about the issues you want to discuss and decide the best way to present them.
  
  
• Research your elected official's previous support for afterschool - Make sure you know who you're talking to. Think of ways to link afterschool with other things the official cares about such as education or working families.
  
  
• Bring materials to leave behind - Leave your elected official with a profile of your program (click here for help designing your program profile) and any other materials that describe your program's benefits for kids and families in your community.
  
  
• Leave the door open for another meeting - This lets your elected official know that you are interested in developing a relationship and gives you another chance to help him or her understand the value of afterschool.
  
  
• Send a thank you letter - This is a great way to keep afterschool on their radar screen. Click here for a Sample Thank You Letter.
  
  

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