Tools of the Trade

General advice on political involvement is offered, along with tips for dealing with the regulators who come to the fore once a bill has been passed. The importance of following up on contacts is stressed. Attention is also given to the way in which the success of a government relations program is measured. A program's success depends on prioritizing and keeping pace with issues and knowing when staff and volunteers can handle an issue on their own and when outside professionals are needed. Tips for writing a letter to a legislator are offered, and a sample letter is included. There are also pointers on how to telephone a legislator with your views and how to organize an effective meeting with him or her. A sample press release that uses ASCE's 2001 assessment of our nation's infrastructure to highlight shortcomings in a particular region is also included.