Virtual meetings have changed how we meet lawmakers
We used to have to schedule an appointment, at least get out of our pajamas with our hair and nails clean and tended to, drive to some office or meeting location, wait in one uncomfortable chair to be called us back to another around an intimidating table.
How are we meeting now?
One bright spot from the pandemic is the “normalizing” of virtual meetings on Zoom, Google Meets, any one of dozens of sites and apps, or even, gasp, an old fashioned phone call. Not long ago, ’pajama meetings’ were often looked at as just plain lazy, less respectful, and ineffective compared to attending in person. Hopefully this is one change that will keep being seen as a necessary accommodation.
The Best Part?
Have your device ready. Ready =/= expensive or perfect!
For many of us, the idea of making ourselves presentable plus the trek to the location is exhausting in itself, forget about the actual meeting!
For these virtual meetings, we only have to LOOK gussied up from the waist up and only in the front. It took less than 10 minutes to go from bed to “present” for this zoom meeting.
Relax & share your presentation from your comfy couch instead of in a stuffy office
When I said it took me 10 minutes, that didn’t actually include preparing the apparatus above that held my iPad secure in just the right place. Creating that masterpiece and getting the placement just right took a bit, and a tech savvy teenage selfie queen, but next time it will be a breeze.
Can you really call anything that involves an AP Chem book, a rubber band, and an upside down foot soak tub anything less than genius?
What we do when not creating contraptions
This is about the only part that doesn’t change from what we are used to. Once the top half of your front is ready to face the selfie camera, then give it your best. Present the facts and solutions, share a bit of your story, and answer any questions they have. Another benefit of ‘zooming’ also saves on printing; just email your evidence and accompanying documents in advance and ask them to have them printed to follow along in your meeting.
See available documents for YOUR advocacy
What virtual meetings have taught me about advocacy
It is a perfect time to learn new things while everyone is fumbling their way through mastering new technology and finding ways to show the same level of respect while simultaneously delivering a flawless presentation. I would have never brought my fur baby Glimmer with me for todays meeting, but she must have decided I needed a kiss. Turns out, it sparked another level of conversation that led to a more personal connection. I’m sure you can surmise from what I have shared that none of this was flawless or mastered, but hopefully this will put us one step closer to enacting the solutions that we so desperately need, and THAT is what matters!