Group Visits

Occasionally it is a good idea to bring a group of constituents to meet with a legislator about a specific issue. All of the above rules for an individual visit apply with a few slight variations:

• A group approach is more clearly and explicitly a visit from the neuropathy patient community, rather than just a concerned constituent. The message that is being delivered is, in effect, coming from all neuropathy patients in a community. It has a different kind of force than can be achieved by just one person.
• Keep the group small – three people is ideal and five is the maximum!
• It is always a good idea to make sure that most of the patients in the room are constituents.
• It may not be possible, but try to determine in advance who will be doing most of the talking. Certainly, if a patient personally knows the legislator they should make the introductions and get things started.