Develop a One-page Summary for Legislators

Prepare a one page letter or summary of the key statements that you will discuss with your legislator. This will help you organize your thoughts and create an information sheet specifically designed for your legislator to take with them.

Key points to include if you're a non-profit
Key points to include if you're a local cultural council

Through this one-pager, you want your legislator to learn how your organization contributes to his or her district:

How your organization contributes to the local economy (jobs, payroll, local vendors)
How it supports education and children (school tours, after-school programs, in-school presentations, curriculum development)
How your organization is strongly supported by the legislator’s constituents

Be sure to include the following elements in your summary:

The mission of your organization, including what audiences you serve.
Number of employees, and the size of your payroll.
Number of visitors per year.
Where does your audience come from—how many international, out-of-state, in-state, and local visitors.
How long the organization has existed.
Plans for the future such as physical expansion, remodeling, new programming, capital campaigns and so on.
Local economic impact. If you do not have economic impact information, discuss it anecdotally. For example, your organization has an impact on nearby restaurants and hotels.
Educational programs. Make note of how your organization serves education through after school programs, school visits, curriculum assistance, teacher training, life-long learning and others.
The role of MCC funding for your organization, including how much money your organization received, how it is used, what did you lose when the funding was cut, how MCC funding helps raise additional money. Talk about the importance of state funding for the arts, sciences and humanities.
Be sure to mention that you are a member of MAASH, the statewide cultural advocacy group.
Non-profit business. Describe how your business works—how much of your operating budget comes from earned income, endowment, grants and how much money has to be raised each year.

Through this document, you want your legislator to learn how your Local Cultural Council enhances the quality of life in his or her district:

How your LCC contributes to the local economy. For example, how does your support for organizations help create and sustain jobs in the district?

Make note of how your organization serves education through school programs, school visits, curriculum assistance, teacher training, life-long learning and other programs.

How your LCC is strongly supported by the legislator’s constituents. Who are its members, volunteers, supporters, etc.?

Be sure to include the following elements in your summary:

The role of MCC funding for your organization, including how much money your organization received, how it is used, what did you lose when the funding was cut, how MCC funding helps raise additional money. Talk about the importance of state funding for the arts, humanities and sciences.

Be sure to mention that you are a member of MAASH, the statewide cultural advocacy group.