Legislative Advocacy Challenge
LEGISLATIVE VISIT(S)
TALKING POINTS R Introduce Yourself
F Your place and length of residence F Church membership F Occupation, student status, volunteer and political involvement, etc. F Any related experience and expertise relevant to the issue
R Introduce LAMPa
F Lutheran Advocacy Ministry in Pennsylvania, also known as LAMPa, is one of twenty-one state public policy offices of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, also known as the ELCA. (Don’t assume that the legislators/staff/others know the LAMPa/ELCA acronyms…but introduce them, as they are often used). F LAMPa is a public policy and advocacy ministry partnership of the ELCA institutions and ministries in PA, including the two seminaries (The Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia and the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg), the four colleges (Gettysburg College, Muhlenberg College, Susquehanna University, and Thiel College), twenty-one social ministry organizations, multiple campus ministry and camping organizations, seven synods and more than 1300 congregations in Pennsylvania). F You could give the legislator one of the LAMPa brochures (available by contacting the LAMPa office)
R State the Reasons for the Visit
F Introduce yourself and get better acquainted with the legislator F Present and review LAMPa’s 2007-2008 Public Policy Advocacy Agenda F Inform the legislator that ELCA Lutherans are very concerned about public policy and the common good, and are committed to advocacy for freedom, justice, peace, environmental well being, and good order in public life. F Thank you for your public service R Present LAMPa’s 2007-2008 Public Policy Advocacy Agenda
F LAMPa will regularly and on an ongoing basis speak to public policy makers about issues. F LAMPa speaks about issues that are grounded in the social statements and messages of the ELCA. F LAMPa will be a voice with and for those who find it difficult or impossible to speak for themselves. Our advocacy is focused with and for people living in poverty, the disenfranchised, the vulnerable, and on behalf of all God’s creation. F Review the top two advocacy priorities for 2007-2008 (Poverty/Hunger and Health/Health care) and potential issues (subjects) that may be addressed and ask for the legislator’s reflections about these issues. (Please contact the LAMPa office if you desire guidance for messaging on specific issues related to these visits). F Tell the legislator that she/he will hear from LAMPa advocates from time-to-time about these issues as these matters evolve in the legislature or LAMPa agenda.
R Appreciation
F Thank the legislator for his/her time today F Thank the legislator for her/his service and ministry as a public official and leader for the common good |
