Five Observations from Attending a State Legislator’s Coffee Hour
Three years ago, my mom and I walked into a bank to engage with our state senator. Here is what surprised me.
One of the advocacy action steps that Education Independence encourages you to take is engaging with your state legislators—especially when education independence is at stake. This means introducing yourself to legislators (in or out of session) to begin a mutual relationship based on kindness, not quarreling, regardless of political party.
Years ago, as I was first exploring how to build relationships with my legislators, some in the Michigan legislature began pushing for homeschool registration with the state. So, I was pressed with the question, more urgently than ever, “How do I begin?”
In order to demonstrate our opposition to homeschool registration, my mom and I learned who our legislators were, how to contact them, and what types of events they hold for the public. Learn how you can replicate this process for your legislators by reading “How to Contact Your State Legislators.” We discovered that our senator at the time was holding public “coffee hours,” where we could openly share our concerns. Here are five observations that I made while attending the event.
Observation 1: Local Legislator Events Are More Accessible Than You Think (Mine Was at a Bank)
If you’re like me, you may have imagined that state legislator events are intimidating. Let me encourage you: the event was certainly not what I expected! I imagined it being in a lofty building with old oil paintings on the walls of past governors and Michigan political trailblazers. Or maybe, it would be at a public library or coffee shop with reporters swarming and writing down every word that the senator—and maybe, I—said. Or maybe, it would be at a government building with police lining the walls to keep us citizens from getting any ideas.
Let me tell you—my imagination truly ran wild! My experience was nothing like any of these pictures I had conjured up in my mind. There were no oil paintings, no reporters, and no police officers. In fact, the event was hosted in the headquarters of a bank that I drive past almost every day.
When we arrived, we were kindly welcomed into a large office space with tables and chairs set up, families gathering around, and coffee and donuts available for us to enjoy. It was not intimidating at all! Of course, not all events held by legislators from every state will be held in a bank. The point of my sharing this observation is twofold:
- You never know where it may be hosted, so keep your eyes peeled! Be sure to follow your legislator on Facebook or check their website for event updates.
- You do not need to be intimidated, so plan to attend! Especially if you are not ready or able to visit the Capitol building, take advantage of these local events. They could be hosted only minutes from your house.
Observation 2: More People Show Up Than You Would Expect
Sometimes, it can feel like “coffee hours” or other events are underground clubs. You don’t know where they are or when they are happening unless you are in the know. Don’t let that misunderstanding stop you from finding them and attending.
At the event I attended, there were so many people that we not only ran out of tables and chairs, but we also almost ran out of floor space! Because I was there to oppose laws that would affect homeschooling, it was encouraging to see that the vast majority of the crowd were homeschooling parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, friends, and children. Dozens of families, who certainly required “a homeschool van” to get there, lined the walls. By their presence alone, they provided an undeniable testimony to the senator: we live in your district, and we care about the policies you vote for.
Observation 3: Your Legislator Is Actually Listening and Taking Notes
When the “coffee hour” event began, I had no idea what to expect. So, my mom and I sat at a table near the front with people we did not know. Upon being introduced, we realized that these people were here for the same reason—to implore the senator NOT to vote in favor of the homeschool regulation bill. It was encouraging to be surrounded by so many who agreed with us!
The senator went table by table and invited everyone who wanted to speak to share why they were there and what they wished him to do (or not to do). What was interesting was that some people had clearly already developed a relationship with him. He knew their names, invited their kind feedback or support, and he smiled in thanks. Others took a more aggressive route. They stood up proudly and proclaimed their disdain for whatever policy they disliked, many of which I had never heard of before! They told him exactly why they did not like the policy—or him—and gave him the facts with gusto. Others stood up, took the mic, and timidly said that they had never attended an event like this before and were nervous to share what they had to say. But they did it anyway (those were my favorite testimonies).
Regardless of the person, whether they were aggressive or apprehensive, the Senator had a pen in hand and a notebook before him on which he wrote down everything everyone said. If a family was there to oppose the homeschool bill, he recorded it. If an elderly gentleman was there to demand clean energy for Michigan, he wrote it down. Whether the constituent was kind or crass, he listened and recorded what policy was in question and what was said.
Observation 4: You Don’t Need to Win an Argument to Make Your Voice Heard
Without a doubt, the thing that keeps people from engaging in political conversations is that pesky “other side of the argument.” Whether you are tired of hearing from your opposing political party or you simply know you are not prepared to combat them, engaging in a political dialogue can feel wearisome, defeating, and pointless. This fear can compound when you are asked to present your position to a state legislator!
“Isn’t this person paid to know politics?”
“Won’t they just wipe the floor with my arguments?”
“How am I qualified and prepared to tell them why they are wrong?”
These questions are not only understandable but also commonly asked. So, if you relate to these worries, be encouraged. I do too! In fact, at this event, I did not even talk when the microphone came to my table. I was too nervous. However, my mother, who had never attended a senator’s event or spoken with a legislator in person before, took the microphone, stood before the gathering, and shared her experience as a homeschool mother and why she believes it should remain independent of government oversight.
After she was finished, the senator thanked her for her testimony, took his notes, and invited the next person to speak. That was it! And that process was repeated for everyone else who had gathered. No matter the position the person took or how they conducted themselves, the senator never offered a rebuttal or engaged in argument. He simply listened. So, be encouraged that whether you send an email, call the office, or attend an event, your legislators welcome the conversations and want to know what their voters are thinking.
Observation 5: You Might Actually Like Your Legislator in Person
After the event, the senator thanked everyone for attending, and we left. I did not introduce myself to him; I regret that. However, I did walk away with a sense of gratitude and fondness for him. Even though we are members of opposing political parties and he wanted to vote away homeschool freedoms, this event showed me that even those I disagree with in office can be kind, thoughtful, and civil individuals. Perhaps attending an event by your state legislator could leave you with the same warm, encouraging feelings.
Ready to Attend Your Own Legislator’s Event?
I hope that my testimony and observations are encouraging and inspire you to attend your legislator’s local events. If my story resonates, be encouraged that there’s a whole community of people doing exactly this. To hear those who are engaging in their state tell their stories, join the Education Independence Network and attend a Virtual Seminar event. When you join, you will gain access to our exclusive resource, the Civic Engagement Workbook, which will teach you, step by step, to engage your legislators and invest in the political process.
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