Building a True Partnership with Your Constituents 

Recent polls show that many citizens don’t like government and don’t understand it. Some NCSL surveys have indicated widespread skepticism, especially among young people. Once they have a connection to the legislature or some other branch of government, however, citizens often express a greater appreciation for the complexities of the work performed by legislators and other state employees. They also tend to enjoy being a part of the process and seeing things from the inside. State legislators generally agree that their constituents frequently feel disconnected from government, but other than responding to telephone calls or personal requests, legislators may not know how to strengthen the citizen connection. Several state lawmakers share their experiences here and offer some fresh ideas for constituent involvement.

This publication provides four stories of good constituent practices. 

• Coffee and Conversation (and a few Krispy Kremes) provides an example of how to work with other legislators, state and local officials and community groups to create interactive and informative discussions about key policy issues. 

• The Shadow examines Kentucky Representative Susan Westrom and her practice of allowing constituents and others to follow her throughout a legislative day, giving them a transparent and wide-ranging look at legislator’s life and responsibilities. 

• Community Partners shows Iowa Senator Nancy Boettger and her efforts with community organizers/facilitators Frank and Kimberlee Spillers.  They plan and work together to engage citizens in productive dialogues on potentially divisive topics.  

• Solving Local Problems highlights advice from former Utah Representative Ralph Becker as he used the “convening power” of a legislator to gather key stakeholders and officials to meet and address and resolve some serious traffic problems.
  
  To read these stories, click on this link.