Empowering Social Work Engagement: Key Takeaways from the LEAD Learning Session with Gregory Levitt

Date: February 25, 2025
Featuring: Gregory Levitt, USF Alumni

The LEAD Learning Session was an invaluable primer for social work students eager to engage in Florida’s legislative process. This guide distills the key takeaways from the session, providing actionable steps on how to locate your representatives, schedule meetings, and orient yourself for success at LEAD. 
 

1. How to Locate Your Local and State Representatives

Before engaging with Florida legislators, it’s essential to know who represents your district both in the State House and Senate. Here’s how to find them:

Step-by-Step Guide to Finding Your State Representatives:

1. Use Official Resources:

   • Florida Senate: Visit floridasenate.gov/senators/find and enter your home or school address to identify your Florida State Senator.
   • Florida House of Representatives: Go to https://www.flhouse.gov/FindYourRepresentative  and input your address to find your State House Representative.

2. Gather Key Information: After identifying your representatives, collect the following: (Greg provided this excel template to downlaod and organize your research Here)

   • Full name of the legislator
   • District number
   • Contact details (office phone numbers, email addresses)
   • Names of legislative aides (as you may often meet with them instead of the legislator)

3. Understand Their Focus Areas:

   • Explore your representative’s sponsored bills, committee assignments, and legislative priorities through their official profiles.
   • Pay attention to the committees they serve on, especially if you plan to discuss issues that fall within their committee’s focus.

Pro Tip:

Greg emphasized the importance of reaching out not just to your local legislators but also to those who have sponsored bills relevant to your cause. Use this strategy to expand your network and amplify your message.

2. How to Schedule Meetings with Legislators

Once you know who you want to meet with, it’s time to schedule your meetings. This process requires some planning and persistence.

Best Practices for Scheduling:

1. Start Early:

   Legislators and their aides are incredibly busy, especially during the legislative session. Start reaching out as soon as possible to maximize your chances of securing a meeting.

2. Contact Methods:

   • Phone Calls:

     • Call the legislator’s office (Tallahassee office during session, district office during the off-season) and ask to speak with their legislative aide.
     • If you reach voicemail, leave a clear message with your name, affiliation (e.g., USF Social Work student attending LEAD), purpose of your call, and your contact information.

   • Emails:

     • Use the email template format provided on official legislative pages, usually FirstName.LastName@flsenate.gov or FirstName.LastName@myfloridahouse.gov.
     • Include the following in your email:
       • A brief introduction of yourself
       • Purpose of your outreach (mention LEAD)
       • A request to schedule a meeting during LEAD
       • Flexibility in your availability
       • A polite thank you and follow-up note

   • In-Person Drop-Ins:

     • As Greg suggested, sometimes just walking into a legislator’s office during LEAD can lead to unscheduled but valuable conversations. Don’t hesitate to introduce yourself even without an appointment.

Scheduling Tips:

• Be Flexible: Legislators have tight schedules. Offer several time slots to increase your chances of securing a meeting.

• Follow Up: If you don’t get a response within a week, send a polite follow-up email or make another phone call.
• Confirm Appointments: A day or two before LEAD, confirm all scheduled meetings to avoid last-minute surprises.

3. How to Orient Yourself and Prepare for LEAD

Preparation is key to making the most out of your LEAD experience. Here’s how to ensure you’re ready to engage confidently and effectively:

A. Research and Organize:

1. Focus Your Efforts:

   • Choose One Cause: Greg emphasized that it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of issues at stake. Pick one bill or issue that resonates with you and focus your energy on it.
   • Identify Relevant Bills: Use tools like Fast Democracy to search for Florida bills related to your chosen cause. Search by keywords (e.g., “mental health,” “social work”) and track relevant legislation.

2. Create an Advocacy Folder:

   • Prepare a folder (physical or digital) that includes:
     • Your chosen bill(s) and their summaries
     • Contact info and notes about legislators you’ll meet
     • Talking points for meetings

B. Prepare Your Talking Points:

1. Introduction:

   • Start with a brief introduction of yourself, your school, and why you’re participating in LEAD.

2. State Your Purpose:

   • Clearly explain the issue you care about and the specific bill you’re supporting or opposing.
   • Use personal stories to connect the issue to real-life experiences—this makes your message more compelling.

3. Engage and Listen:

   • Ask legislators about their priorities and views on the issue.
   • Be open to dialogue, even if there are differing perspectives. As Greg mentioned, finding common ground is key to productive conversations.

C. Day-of Logistics:

1. Know the Layout:

   • The Capitol building can be confusing. Arrive early to familiarize yourself with the layout and navigate between offices efficiently.
   • Plan for extra time between meetings in case of delays.

2. Dress Professionally:

   • Wear business attire to make a strong impression.

3. Stay Flexible:

   • Some meetings will be brief, others might go longer. Be prepared to adapt and make the most of every opportunity.

4. Building Connections Beyond LEAD

LEAD isn’t just about the day at the Capitol—it’s about building lasting relationships that can further your efforts long after the event.

• Stay in Touch:
  After LEAD, follow up with legislators and their aides. Thank them for their time and offer to stay connected on future issues.

• Connect with Peers:
  LEAD brings together students from all over Florida. Use this opportunity to network with peers who share your interests. These connections can become valuable collaborators in future efforts.

• Engage with Organizations:
  Consider joining professional groups like NASW Florida, ACLU, or SPLC that focus on social work and policy issues. They often have resources and events that can help you stay involved year-round.

Final Thoughts: Preparing for a Powerful LEAD Experience

Greg’s final advice was simple but profound: “Don’t let LEAD be the start and end of your journey.” Use this opportunity to kickstart your engagement with Florida’s legislative process. Approach the experience with curiosity, confidence, and a willingness to collaborate with others who share your commitment to creating positive change.

By following this guide, you’ll be well-prepared to make the most of LEAD—whether it’s your first time or you’re a seasoned participant. Good luck, and remember: your voice matters!

Here is a link to the meeting recording
Here is a link to the presentation Gregory Levitt utilized