By the time you read this, the 2022 primary election is over and we now know who the slate of candidates are for every district in the State of North Dakota. Many districts this year had multiple contenders entering the races. How involved were you in the races in your area? Did you take time meet with the candidates to discuss where they stood on the issues important to us? Regardless of what you did or didn’t do for the primaries, you need to realize that the work is not done.
The next election is not until November, but now is the time to meet the slate of candidates. They are more receptive now than at any other time to hearing the issues we feel are important. Why now, instead of closer to the election? They have time now, as the election draws closer, they become much busier on getting votes and support. I urge each and everyone of you to take time to meet as many of the candidates as possible. Try to attend forums, call and ask them to meet for lunch or meet with a group of you at a meeting.
I would encourage you to build a list of the candidates you plan to see and then start a plan on how to meet with them. So now you’re meeting with a candidate or a group of candidates, so the next question is do you have an agenda of what you want to talk to them about? If you remember in the Grassroots Training, it says we have multiple functions when meeting with legislators. The most important responsibility is to NOT waste their time. They aren’t meeting with you to discuss the rain storm last night or how they are golfing, they are meeting at your request and they are assuming you want to discuss specific topics. Be prepared for the meeting to get the maximum return on your time. Treat them like a client, if they leave feeling they wasted their time, it’s a no sale.
Your main role is to provide them with the information they need to make decisions that are favorable to our industry. You may want to discuss long term care or tax ramifications on legislation that is being introduced or something else. I am asking you to know what you want to ask them and where you stand on that subject and why you stand like that on that subject. Be prepared to answer his/her questions.
Another vital role is to make sure they know you and NAIFA are a resource for them to go to. When they don’t understand a bill, they should know they can call you and you will use the full resources of NAIFA to get them answers. Remember, we have ton of knowledge and experience in the industries we represent, those resources are available to them at all times.
Lastly, I know we are all busy, but we need to make a commitment to do our share, we can’t expect someone else to do the job that needs to be done. Michael Jordan was probably the greatest basketball player in the NBA, but every game he won, every championship he held was with a TEAM and every member on his team had a role. We need every member of NAIFA to play a role on our team!
You also have resources through NAIFA, so if you need help, let us know and we are here to do whatever we can to help you.
Thank you,
Kim Albert
NAIFA-North Dakota Vice President - Advocacy