Key contact form | Tips on meeting |
Tips on calling
Overview of IIAT’s Grassroots Program
You know the insurance business as well as anyone. And you rely on your expertise to provide professional advice every
day. You also know the effect government may have on your business and your insurance agency. You know full-well that
state and federal lawmakers could pass ill-informed bills possibly with the power to threaten your very livelihood.
The IIAT Grassroots Program is a powerful means to keep lawmakers well-informed on issues important to you and the
insurance industry. To stay powerful, IIAT needs you as a key contact for Texas legislators, and congressmen and senators
in Washington to assist with IIAT’s legislative agenda.
As a grassroots volunteer, you will receive regular updates during the Texas Legislative Session and when Congress is
in session. These updates will provide detailed information on political events in both Austin and Washington. Your responsibilities
will be to develop and maintain a strong relationships with your legislators and your congressmen and to educate them
on the impact of measures that effect our business and your agency.
You would be expected to:
- Brief legislators on insurance issues and IIAT governmental affairs goals during election campaigns
- Participate in IIAT's biennial Legislative Conference in Austin, during which IIAT members spend a day meeting with
hometown legislators to brief them on IIAT goals for the session in progress
- Contact legislators during the legislative session as key issues come before committees and are debated on the floor
of the House or Senate
- Contact members of Congress to discuss insurance issues
- Provide feedback to IIAT’s Governmental Affairs Department on any meetings or communications you have with a state
legislator or congressman
IIAT’s grassroots program gets results. During the 2003 legislative session, grassroots volunteers produced the following
positive results:
- Helped defeat a bill, attempting to tax agent’s commissions
- Passed a measure to ensure protection of customer databases
- Helped pass SB 14, the omnibus rate and form bill, in the 78th Legislature
Volunteer today
Tips on calling your legislator
- The most effective contact is in writing. But when time is of the essence and an action is scheduled to take place
quickly, it is perfectly acceptable to call your legislator’s office to express your views.
- When the legislature is in session, call the capitol office. When not in session, call the district office.
- Ask to speak to your legislator directly. If he is unavailable, ask to speak to the legislative aid. An aid can
be an important ally.
- When the legislator or his aid is on the line, identify yourself, your company and tell him that you are a constituent.
- Clearly identify the bill you wish to discuss.
- Explain how the proposed legislation impacts you, your business, the community and your industry. Clearly state
why you support or oppose the legislation.
- Discuss only one bill per telephone call.
- Ask for the legislator’s position on the particular bill. If you disagree, provide facts that support your position.
- Request that the legislator take a specific action on the bill. Prepare for a difference of opinion and respect
his views.
- Thank the legislator for his time and willingness to consider your views.
Tips on meeting your legislator
- Be polite. This is especially important when your legislator does not agree with your position. Don’t be argumentative.
- Be considerate. Legislators have tight schedules. Begin on time and stick to the point.
- Be informed. Speak in laymen’s terms when discussing insurance issues.
- Be a resource. Make sure your information on how a bill may impact your community is accurate and timely.
- Be realistic. There is only so much that can be accomplished in one visit or even one legislative session.
- Don’t be offended. Often a legislator has a last-minute schedule change which means a staff member may meet with
you instead. This is not a bad thing. The staff runs the office and fields telephone calls. They are a valuable contact
and should be regarded as such.
- Thank all involved. Send a note thanking the legislator for his/her time.
- Be back. Visit frequently. Don’t be afraid to call your legislator or staff.
