Map the room before you write the testimony
Two weeks before the meeting, build a one-page map: every voting member, their known positions on adjacent issues, the staff member who briefed them, and one trusted constituent or peer who could reach them privately if needed.Two weeks before the meeting, build a one-page map: every voting member, their known positions on adjacent issues, the staff member who briefed them, and one trusted constituent or peer who could reach them privately if needed.
Across Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, and Riverside counties, this kind of mapping work is what separates organizations that consistently get fair hearings from those that are repeatedly surprised by the vote.Across Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, and Riverside counties, this kind of mapping work is what separates organizations that consistently get fair hearings from those that are repeatedly surprised by the vote.
Brief, don't lobby
In the ten days before the meeting, request short briefing meetings — fifteen minutes is enough — with each voting member or their senior staff. Bring a one-page summary, the three questions you most expect to be asked, and your honest answers to each.In the ten days before the meeting, request short briefing meetings — fifteen minutes is enough — with each voting member or their senior staff. Bring a one-page summary, the three questions you most expect to be asked, and your honest answers to each.
Briefings are not lobbying. The goal is not to win a vote in the meeting; it is to ensure the member walks into the public meeting already understanding what you will say and why. Surprises in public meetings rarely benefit the organization being voted on.Briefings are not lobbying. The goal is not to win a vote in the meeting; it is to ensure the member walks into the public meeting already understanding what you will say and why. Surprises in public meetings rarely benefit the organization being voted on.
Build the testimony around three sentences
Strong public-meeting testimony has three load-bearing sentences: what we are asking for in plain language, why it matters to a specific community in this jurisdiction, and what changes in our community if the body votes our way.Strong public-meeting testimony has three load-bearing sentences: what we are asking for in plain language, why it matters to a specific community in this jurisdiction, and what changes in our community if the body votes our way.
Everything else in the testimony should support those three sentences. If a paragraph does not, cut it. Boards and councils retain three sentences. They do not retain seven.Everything else in the testimony should support those three sentences. If a paragraph does not, cut it. Boards and councils retain three sentences. They do not retain seven.
Coordinate supporting voices
Three or four short, specific public comments from real community members — each two minutes or less, each from a different angle — are more persuasive than fifteen comments that all say the same thing.Three or four short, specific public comments from real community members — each two minutes or less, each from a different angle — are more persuasive than fifteen comments that all say the same thing.
Coordinate quietly. Help each speaker pick their angle in advance. Share the testimony order with them so they can build on each other's framing. Avoid scripts; aim for shared structure with personal voice.Coordinate quietly. Help each speaker pick their angle in advance. Share the testimony order with them so they can build on each other's framing. Avoid scripts; aim for shared structure with personal voice.
Plan the day after
Whether the vote goes your way or not, the next 48 hours matter as much as the meeting itself. Prepare two short notes in advance: one for a supportive vote (gratitude, what happens next) and one for an unfavorable vote (acknowledgment, what we're listening to, what we'll bring back).Whether the vote goes your way or not, the next 48 hours matter as much as the meeting itself. Prepare two short notes in advance: one for a supportive vote (gratitude, what happens next) and one for an unfavorable vote (acknowledgment, what we're listening to, what we'll bring back).
Both notes should be written before the meeting. The team that has to draft the loss note in the parking lot rarely sends a good one.Both notes should be written before the meeting. The team that has to draft the loss note in the parking lot rarely sends a good one.